One winner of the Mega Millions jackpot drawing on Tuesday has stepped forward to claim her half of the prize.
According to the Associated Press, Ira Curry was listening to the radio when she heard the winning numbers drawn. It was a last minute purchase for Curry, who used her family's birthdates to choose her numbers.
Tuesday's winning numbers were: 8, 14, 17, 20, 39 and a Mega number of 7.
"She said she was just in a state of disbelief," Georgia Lottery chief executive Debbie Alford told AP.
Curry and her family went to the lottery headquarters in Atlanta, GA the next day to collect her winnings. Curry did not attend the news conference held to announce the winner, and is not speaking out publicly. She will receive a lump sum $120 million after taxes in about two weeks.
The second winning ticket was sold in San Jose, Calif., but the winner has yet to come forward. The person has 180 days to claim their winnings.
California Lottery spokesman Alex Traverso told the Los Angeles Times the first thing any winner should do is sign the back of their ticket in ink.
"That's Step 1, and Step 2 is come into the office and claim as soon as you can. Leave less to chance," he said. "Get the claim process started. Odds are it's going to be eight weeks until you see your first check."
Though Lottery officials understand winners want to remain anonymous, the names will be public information.
"No one can really remain anonymous," Traverso said.
The California store in which the winning ticket was purchased will receive a $1 million bonus, according AP. Thuy Nguyen, owner of Jennifer's Gift Shop in San Jose, couldn't be happier.
"When people hear jackpot winner was sold here, everybody want to come here," Nguyen said. "They call my shop lucky Buddha."
