A British woman who spent more than $2.2 million in lottery winnings in just eight years says she doesn’t regret the money she spent and “had a great time”.
Nearly 20 years after winning the award, Lara Griffiths, a mother of one or two, said she was simply “tired of being portrayed as a tragedy”.
“The lottery has ruined my life, it’s become an overwhelming narrative,” Griffith, of Spa, Boston, West Yorkshire, told South West News.
“People keep saying I’m stupid, have plastic surgery and need to take my kids away. But the truth is, I’ve spent my time wisely – and I’ve had a good time,” says the 53-year-old Griffin said.
She was “shocked” when her husband Roger told Griffiths he had won the life-changing award in 2005.
“Everyone always asks you what it’s like to win the lottery,” she told the outlet. “But it’s not a tangible feeling — imagine being told you’ve got $2 million in the bank all of a sudden.”
Their first big payout? Immediately headed to Dubai for a 10-day trip – although they still flew economy class and didn’t “spend money”.
The couple bought a salon for more than $187,000 as an investment after Griffith quit her $50,000-a-year teaching job out of fear that students and colleagues would see her differently.
She didn’t pay herself when she started working at the salon, but said she felt “bored” and “unstimulated” because her passion was teaching.
Laura said the Griffiths purchased a new $560,000 home through a mortgage rather than outright. They also bought 30 used cars and 15 designer handbags as investments.
Griffith claims that Roger spent a lot of money during his music career. He told SWNS that he spent more than $30,000 on a record with the college band.
But eight years later, that money — and her relationship with her husband — has dried up.
Griffith and her ex-husband’s two daughters — Kitty, 16, and Ruby, 19 — live comfortably in a four-bedroom house with her 86-year-old mother.
“I totally threw up my hands and accepted my mistakes,” she said. “Anyway, I’ve been making sure my kids have a good life for the last ten years.”
“But the lottery didn’t ruin my life,” Griffith added.
