Additional Coverage:
In a stunning twist of fate, Cheng Saephan, a 46-year-old Laos-born immigrant and cancer fighter, has won the Powerball jackpot amounting to a colossal $1.3 billion. The Oregon resident chose the lump-sum payment option, pocketing a staggering $422 million after federal and state taxes were deducted.
With plans to share this monumental victory, Saephan is splitting the fortune with his supportive wife and a generous friend who contributed $100 for the purchase of the winning ticket. This remarkable act of sharing is a testament to Saephan’s character and his close relationships.
Saephan’s journey to winning was nothing short of miraculous. In a unique strategy for luck, he listed all potential Powerball numbers, 1 through 69, on a piece of paper, which he then placed under his pillow as he slept, hoping for divine intervention. Whether it was this act or sheer luck, Saephan’s prayers were answered in a life-changing way.
The newfound billionaire has articulate plans for his winnings, with a primary goal of buying his dream house. Beyond personal indulgence, Saephan aims to utilize his wealth to support his family’s welfare and finance his ongoing medical treatment, offering a beacon of hope in his battle against cancer.
This windfall, totaling $422,309,193.97 after taxes for Saephan, his wife, and his friend, marks a historic moment for the state of Oregon. The purchase was made at a local Portland convenience store, which is also celebrating a $100,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. Saephan’s victory has set a new record, overtaking the state’s previous highest jackpot of $340 million in 2005.
In states such as Oregon and California, lottery winners cannot opt for anonymity, a policy not shared by 17 other states within the U.S. Saephan’s remarkable story follows the heels of the largest-ever US lottery jackpot of $2.05 billion won by Edwin Castro in California, just a year prior in November 2022. Saephan’s life-altering win not only brings financial liberation but also a ray of hope and a story of resilience that will be remembered for years to come.