A lottery ticket given as a gift brought one family a $37 million jackpot—approximately RM150 million, according to the original Chinese report. But the windfall did not secure lasting happiness. An anonymous man revealed that his parents quit their jobs after winning, only to declare bankruptcy around 14 years later. His mother subsequently died from chronic liver disease linked to alcohol abuse.
According to the Daily Mail report, the son said he would give up the winning ticket if it meant keeping his family together. His account offers readers following 4D and overseas lottery stories a sobering perspective on life after a major win.
A Gifted Lottery Ticket Changed the Family’s Life
The man said his father received the ticket from a family friend and shared part of the winnings with that friend as a gesture of thanks. His mother, a nurse, and his father, a landscaper, then both left their jobs.
The family used some of the money to repay debts, take out life insurance and cover other expenses. For the children, the change was exciting: they could have most of the things they wanted and enjoy frequent family holidays.
The son acknowledged that the money also brought lasting benefits. He and his siblings received a good education, while access to technology during childhood helped nurture his interest in the IT industry, where he now works.
Failed Ventures and Growing Family Difficulties
The son recalled that his mother tried several business ventures, most of which failed. Other investments also produced limited success.
Alongside their financial difficulties, his mother struggled with her weight and underwent gastric bypass surgery. He said both parents’ drinking worsened over time, leaving the children feeling powerless as the family’s situation deteriorated.
Despite their struggles, he remembered his parents maintaining longstanding friendships and helping relatives and friends through financial hardship.
Bankruptcy Came Around 14 Years After the Win
According to the son, his parents declared bankruptcy approximately 14 years after winning the jackpot. By then, his mother was experiencing depression and severe alcohol addiction.
He believed that part of her distress came from feeling responsible for the family’s finances. She later died from chronic liver disease caused by alcohol abuse.
For the family, the loss went far beyond money. The security and freedom they once enjoyed had disappeared, followed by the death of someone no amount of wealth could replace.
The Son Wishes His Family Could Be Together Again
Looking back, the man felt that winning had brought his family more problems than it solved. Although he appreciated the education and opportunities the money provided, he now placed greater value on stability and family relationships.
He also acknowledged that he could not know how life would have unfolded without the win. Still, he could not help wondering whether his mother might be alive if circumstances had been different.
The story is an anonymous personal account, and the available reporting does not identify the lottery, winning year or family in a way that allows independent verification. At its heart is a son’s reflection that the fortune which transformed their lives mattered far less than being together.
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