OHIO — An ordinary grocery store visit turned into an unforgettable moment for a North Royalton woman after she won a $100,000 prize playing Powerball.
According to lottery officials, the woman decided to buy a Powerball ticket while shopping after noticing tickets being sold near her checkout register. She waited in a long line for a chance at the $1.6 billion jackpot, purchased two tickets, and returned home.
The following day, before leaving town for the holidays, she checked her numbers and initially believed she had won $50,000. Shocked by the result, she called her daughter to confirm the numbers. Her daughter verified that the ticket was a winner. Shortly afterward, they were contacted again and asked if she was sitting down. Officials explained that because the woman had added Power Play to her ticket, the prize was actually $100,000.
The winning Powerball numbers for the December 22 drawing were 3, 18, 36, 41, and 54, with a Powerball of 7. She matched four white balls plus the Powerball, an outcome with odds of 1 in 913,129.
After 26.75% in state and federal taxes, the winner will receive $732,500. She described the win as life-changing, noting that she lives on Social Security. She said her rent had recently increased, forcing her to cancel her cable service. With the winnings, she plans to restore her cable and hopes to purchase a new bed, adding that she is relieved she will no longer have to worry about paying her bills.
The winning ticket was sold at Giant Eagle #204, located at 6000 N. Royalton Road.
Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. The next drawing is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, with an estimated jackpot of $179 million.
Since 1974, the Ohio Lottery has contributed more than $34 billion to education. More information about the Ohio Lottery and its support of education is available at ohiolottery.com/supportingeducation.
