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'Financially I’m good for life': Quebec man makes history after winning $70,000,000 Lotto Max jackpot

(CNW Group/Loto-Quebec)
(CNW Group/Loto-Quebec)

A 22-year-old grocery store clerk from Québec has won a $70 million Lotto Max jackpot, the biggest win in the province’s history.

Gregory Mathieu, who works at an IGA grocery store in a suburb of Québec City, will be sharing his winnings with seven other family members: Ursule Jolicoeur, Sandra Julien, Sonia Julien, Sylvie Julien, Denis Lessard, Derek Prévost and Stéphane Prévost.

At a press event in Québec City on Friday, Mathieu and his mother stressed how close their family is. The winner shared how he was shaking and shocked when he discovered that he won the lottery jackpot.

“I went into the supermarket to go to work and I had the ticket but I didn't think twice about it, I never thought I would win,” Mathieu said.

He went on to say that he had to sit down after he asked the cashier to check his ticket because he couldn’t talk or think.

“I couldn't believe my eyes, I still can’t believe it,” he said. “Today I feel stressed, I’m feeling anxious but I’m very happy.”

“Financially I’m good for life and it was a huge stress for me. I always thought I had to go back to school...and find a job, and now I can help others.”

Mathieu’s mother, Sandra Julien, was also in shock and started shaking when her son called and told her he won $70 million.

“I told him, Gregory are you freaking serious,” she said. “I said your father and I don’t have a budget to miss work, we need our money.”

She was so skeptical that she asked the cashier to get on the phone and confirm the win, and also asked her son to send a photo of the ticket.

Mathieu bought the ticket on Feb. 25 using random numbers, but his family usually buys lottery tickets when there’s a big jackpot up for grabs. The family said they are going to take time for themselves but want to travel, make good investments, secure a future for the children in the group and “throw parties” for the family.

“It’s not going to change our family, we are [good people], we are grounded and we take care of each other and we will still do that,” Mathieu’s mother said.

The IGA Extra where the ticket was purchased will also receive $700,000 as at one per cent commission.