Everyone aspires to win the “gordo navideño” lottery this time of year. One past winner, however, shared that the win comes with both positive and negative effects on one’s life and family.
The man who won ₡925 million in 2010 enjoyed traveling with his family to 16 countries. He bought a home and car for both himself and his daughter and opened up two boutique shops. He invested some of the money and helped a number of family members.
He was in the spotlight after winning. Everyone knew him as the guy who won the lottery. There were many attempts to scam him and extort the money. One was successful and the issue is still to be resolved in court. He has received death threats and had to advise his family to stay inside the house for fear that they would be harmed or kidnapped. He suffered a heart attack. His shop was shot twice. He considers his anxiety much higher now than when he was working class. He has been getting help in therapy.
He enjoys spending so much time with his family and getting to see his daughters grow up without having to leave to study and work. Still, he lives in fear. He and his family stayed in a hotel the first night for security. He also feels that he has lost the passion for the future that he felt while he was studying, which he abruptly stopped after winning the lottery.
