Quebec family wins $50 Lotto Max jackpot just before holidays

A Quebec family is definitely on Santa’s ‘Nice List’ – and he’s already brought them $50,000,000.

Winners of the Lotto Max jackpot, Christmas came early on Dec. 15 for Nancy Gauthier, Jeannette Boisvert and Gilles Larouche from the Laurentians.

Nancy Gauthier who bought a Lotto Max ticket her mother’s suggestion at a convenience store in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, north of Montreal.

“I never would have thought that Loto-Québec would bring me my dream right now,” she said.

Nancy looked up the results of the draw in disbelief. “One good number, two good numbers, three good numbers,” she said as she looked at the combination on her ticket. “I had my finger on the last number. I lifted it and saw I had all 7, I wanted to faint, it was crazy,” she said. “My mom made me check 10 times if it was the right numbers.”

Jeannette says her daughter was worried about losing the golden ticket. “She never moved from the winning ticket, she had it right by her side.”

Nancy and her mother worked at the same place until the day of the draw and quickly decided to say “Bye-bye, boss!” and quit their jobs.

“To announce to your boss that you’re resigning at 34 years old, I think that’s something,” said Nancy.

Loto-Québec says they are able to give the family advice, but are not financial advisors. “They should have meetings with their financial advisors first and think about what they really want to do with their money,” said spokesperson, Renaud Dugas.

The family came to claim their prize in a limousine on Thursday.

What would you do with $50 million?

Some Montrealers say they would spend it on travelling or buying a house. One Montrealer simply said: “retire.” While another Montrealer says she would use the money for the greater good: “Help as many people as we can and see the world with people that we love.”

Gilles first purchase will be a new car. “After 14 years, it’s time.”

The trio now plans to live closer to nature and buy a farm and a house.

“I wanted to have a house, I saw everyone with one and I wondered, ‘will it happen for me?'” asked Nancy. “I always planned to and with some courage, I would’ve got there myself, but now I just have a little more help.”

But it won’t just be the three of them to benefit from the winnings. “We’re not doing this alone,” said Nancy. “We’re 15 in total and they’ll also have a beautiful life.”