10 celebrities who won the lottery and what they did with the prize

When we think of celebrities, we often associate them with vast fortunes, roaring success, and, of course, a life filled with glamour. However, just like many of us, some can't resist the allure of gaming and the possibility of hitting those magical numbers. Whether for fun, superstition, or even charity, even Hollywood stars and Brazilian TV celebrities take a chance on a bet. Prepare to be surprised, as we list below 10 celebrities who have won the lottery and unveil what they did with their prizes. Did the money change anything in their already affluent lives? Let's find out!

1. Madonna

The pop queen needs no introduction, but did you know she once won Italy's biggest lottery, the SuperEnalotto? Indeed, in 2012, while on tour in the country, Madonna decided to place a bet and won no less than 120,000 euros (around R$ 646,000 at the time). But she didn't keep the money for herself. The singer donated the entire prize to educational projects in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in Africa and the world, where she maintains the "Raising Malawi" foundation. A noble gesture, isn't it?

2. André Marques

TV Globo host André Marques also had his big lottery win. In 2015, he matched five numbers in the Mega Sena da Virada and took home over R$ 19,000. The fact was revealed by his colleague Cissa Guimarães during the "Mais Você" show, which they were hosting during Ana Maria Braga's vacation. André Marques didn't share what he did with the money, but he likely invested it in one of his many ventures, such as restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

3. George Clooney

Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney also bagged a lottery prize, but it wasn't by chance. He bought 1,000 tickets of the Italian Superenalotto in 2010, intending to donate the money to the Haiti earthquake victims. He won 37,000 euros (around R$ 200,000) and kept his promise, donating the entire amount to the humanitarian organization "Not On Our Watch," which he co-founded.

4. Paulinha (from Big Brother Brasil)

Ex-BBB Paulinha Leitte is among the luckiest Brazilian celebrities when it comes to the lottery. She has won over 40 times in different games, amassing over R$ 1 million in prizes. Her most recent win was in November 2021, when she matched five numbers in the Mega Sena, winning R$ 28,000. She stated that she uses the money to help family, friends, and charitable institutions.

5. Tom Zé

Singer and songwriter Tom Zé also had his share of lottery luck. In 2017, he won R$ 22,000 in Lotofácil and used the money to pay bills and buy a new computer. He mentioned that he has been playing the lottery since he was 18 and had won several times, though never such a significant amount.

6. Hugh Jackman

Actor Hugh Jackman, famed for portraying Wolverine in the X-Men movies, also took a chance on the lottery. In 2010, he purchased 500 Mega Millions tickets in the U.S. to gift to the crew of the movie "Real Steel." He said it was a way to thank everyone for their hard work. Sadly, they didn't snag the main prize, but some matched a few numbers and took home small amounts.

7. Cynthia Stafford

Cynthia Stafford isn't a celebrity per se but became famous after winning US$ 112 million (about R$ 600 million) in the Mega Millions in 2007. She mentioned dreaming of the winning numbers and played them for four months before striking gold. She used the funds to assist her family, friends, and the social causes she supports, like education, arts, and health. She also invested in her passion for cinema, becoming an indie film producer.

8. Renata Banhara (ex-wife of Frank Aguiar)

Model and ex-wife of singer Frank Aguiar, Renata Banhara, was also fortunate in the lottery. In 2015, she matched five numbers in the Mega Sena and won R$ 22,000. She mentioned using the cash to pay bills and buy gifts for her children.

9. Simon Cowell

Music producer and judge on shows like "American Idol" and "The X Factor," Simon Cowell, took his chances with the lottery as well. In 2013, he bought 500 tickets of EuroMillions, Europe's most massive lottery, which had a jackpot of 80 million pounds (around R$ 460 million). He stated that had he won, he would donate half of the money to charity and gift the other half to his friends. However, he wasn't lucky and didn't take any prize home.

10. Sandra Bullock

Actress Sandra Bullock was also among the lottery's lucky ones. In 2006, she won US$ 10,000 (approximately R$ 54,000) in Powerball, one of the U.S.'s biggest lotteries. She stated that she used the funds to buy gifts for her co-stars in the movie "The Lake House." She also mentioned playing the lottery since she was 18 and always donates a portion of her winnings to charity.

Conclusion

These were the 10 celebrities who hit the jackpot and what they did with their money. As you can see, some used their winnings to help others, some to invest in their dreams, and others for leisure. Who knows, maybe you're the next lucky winner? Good luck!