A past lottery winner’s daughter has opened up about the harsh reality her family faced after her father’s multimillion-dollar prize eventually disappeared.
Hitting the jackpot can transform a person’s life overnight, but many winners have also spoken about the unexpected pressure, attention, and financial pitfalls that can follow sudden wealth. Research suggests that a significant percentage of lottery winners experience serious financial trouble within just a few years of their windfall, with some estimates indicating that roughly 70 percent lose their money within five years, though this figure remains debated among financial experts.
Leeann Wahr recalled what happened after her father won a $13 million lottery prize in 2013 after purchasing a ticket at Bonzer’s in Custer, Michigan. At the time, he was reportedly dealing with money troubles, having lost his property, and was also separated from parts of his family.
After choosing to receive the money as a lump sum of about $13.3 million, the family’s circumstances changed dramatically.
One of the first major purchases he made was buying a house for his sister, and the family moved in together there.
“It was so fun,” Wahr told 13 ON YOUR SIDE. “He did take us shopping a couple of times, which was pretty crazy, getting kinda whatever you wanted. Going from nothing to having something is a huge change. There was a lot of excitement, but it did turn sour over the years.”
According to Wahr, her father had long been in the habit of gambling, and that ultimately contributed to the money gradually running out. A pattern of problem gambling has been documented among lottery winners, particularly those with pre-existing gambling habits, as continued play can rapidly deplete even substantial windfalls.
“He was a little bit of a gambler,” Wahr added. “He always played the lottery. I believe it was weekly, to be honest. I don’t know for sure. But he definitely played a lot.”
She also said the situation became more difficult after the family relocated to Nevada, as her father was repeatedly approached by people back in Michigan asking him for financial help. Financial advisors consistently note that lottery winners often face overwhelming requests for money from friends and family members, creating relationship strain and accelerating wealth depletion.
Wahr’s father died in 2023, and she has since reflected on both the family’s experience and what others should take from it. After her father’s passing, Wahr began sharing their story on TikTok as a way to process what happened and serve as a cautionary tale for others facing similar circumstances.
Her strongest advice is that anyone who wins a major prize should immediately speak with a financial professional before making big decisions.
“If you win the lottery, get a financial advisor,” she said. “Family is everything. Stick together. Things happen, and you gotta roll with the punches.”
Even with the difficulties that came later, Wahr said the win was not entirely negative and that it had a meaningful impact on her childhood.
“When you’re a kid that’s going through a lot, and you’re not presenting the best in school and things like that, it just makes you go down a bit,” she added.
“And the money really helped me feel better about myself, like more confident, like wearing clean clothes to school, things like that.”
Another former lottery winner, Timothy Schultz, has shared similar guidance about the importance of bringing in legal and financial experts early. Schultz won $28 million in the Powerball in 1999 when he was just 21 years old while working as a gas station attendant in Iowa. He has since become a podcast host and financial advisor, interviewing other lottery winners about their experiences and offering guidance on wealth management.
He explained recently: “My first piece of advice? Don’t cash the ticket tomorrow just because you can. Everyone thinks winning the lottery is a race to collect the money. It’s not. It’s a race to make good decisions.
“Secure the ticket, tell as few people as possible, and build a team before you claim. An experienced estate attorney and financial advisers can help you determine the best way to claim the prize, including options that may help protect privacy.”
Tim added: “The first person I’d trust is a good attorney. The last person I’d trust is the cousin I haven’t heard from in fifteen years.
“And yes, celebrate. Just do it quietly until the ticket is secure and the plan is in place.”
Financial experts recommend that lottery winners should aim to delay major financial decisions for at least three to six months after winning, allowing time to assemble a professional advisory team including an estate attorney, certified public accountant, and fiduciary financial advisor. This period provides crucial time to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses taxes, investments, estate planning, and family financial boundaries before the emotional high of winning leads to impulsive decisions.