New Jersey man wins €290 million lottery unexpectedly
Tayeb Souami, a 55-year-old accountant from Little Ferry, New Jersey, had a life-changing experience that began with an ordinary errand. He was struggling to pay for his daughter's college fees and had recently refinanced his home. On May 19, 2018, he went to ShopRite to buy a carton of orange juice. His wife told him to return it because it was "overpriced." After returning the juice, Tayeb noticed a Powerball lottery sign. Using his refund, he bought two lottery tickets. He didn’t think much of it and went to bed without checking the results. The next day, he stopped at a local 7-Eleven and checked his tickets. He was shocked to see one of them required a retailer's attention. The cashier, overwhelmed with excitement, confirmed that Tayeb had won a staggering $315 million (about €290 million). At a later press conference, Tayeb expressed his disbelief and humorously stated, “I love orange juice now.” He chose to take a lump sum of $183 million (around €168 million) after taxes. Tayeb shared the good news with his wife and children, making it an emotional moment for the family. His focus, he said, is on providing for his loved ones and ensuring his kids receive a good education. After quitting his job, Tayeb already started to give back by helping his former colleagues, showing his generosity with his newfound wealth. Many on social media praised him and joked about the importance of listening to his wife.