Winner of historic $1.6B Mega Millions jackpot revealed

The winner of the biggest Mega Millions jackpot in history has been revealed — kind of.

A limited liability company claimed the record-shattering $1.6 billion prize won during an Aug. 8 drawing after matching all six numbers, the Florida Lottery announced on Wednesday.

The winner, Saltines Holdings, LLC, chose to receive their prize as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $794,248,882.00, the Lottery said.

The quick-pick ticket was sold to the lucky prizewinner at a Publix supermarket in Neptune Beach, Florida.

The winner, a Florida resident, visited lottery headquarters to claim the prize on Sept. 25.

They were able to remain anonymous thanks to a Florida law enacted in May that allows winners to not share their name for up to 90 days after claiming the prize.

The winning ticket was purchased at a Publix grocery store in Neptune Beach, Florida. AP

The winner’s identity was set to be revealed on Dec. 25, but they found a way to continue to conceal their identity through an out-of-state LLC filing.

While owners of an LLC are public record in Florida, the jackpot winner filed the LLC in Delaware, where it is not a matter of public record, WFLA reported.

The winner’s alleged identity was listed on a document obtained by WJAX in October, however, the man declined to be interviewed and his name was later scrubbed online by lottery officials, the outlet reported.

The winner chose to receive their earnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment. AP

According to WJAX, it’s believed the winner is a doctor who is still working despite the big win.

The jackpot swelled to its record-setting size after it rolled over 32 times from April to August of 2023, and according to the Florida Lottery, also contributed $73.4 million to education in the state.

The winning numbers — 13, 19, 20, 32, 33, and a 14 Mega Ball – were drawn on August 8.

The jackpot grew to such a tremendous size after it rolled over 32 times from April to August. First Coast News

It was the fifth Mega Millions prize worth more than a billion dollars and beat out the second largest – a $1.537 billion jackpot sold in South Carolina in 2018.

The retailer received a $100,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.

Mega Millions tickets cost $2 per game and are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. EST.