Millionaires who blew their winnings after hitting the jackpot

By Mirror | 3yrs ago | 4 min read

Shining sign Jackpot banner with falling gold confetti [Photo: Shutterstock]

For many of us, winning the lottery is the ultimate dream; imagine never having a money worry ever again? While some of us often think about what the wonderful things we would do if we won the lottery, for actual winners it can send life off the rails in spectacular fashion.

There are a number of National Lottery winners who have scooped millions of pounds in the jackpot - but have ended up spending the lot with little or nothing to show for it. Here's how it all went wrong for these unlucky lotto winners...

John McGuinness - Sh1.4 billion (£10 million)

The Scottish hospital porter won Sh1.4 billion (£10million) on the National Lottery in 1997. Back then, he earned only Sh21,000 (£150) a week and still stayed at his mum and dad's house. However, he was quick to splurge after sharing Sh421 million (£3 million) among his family and Sh105 million (£750,000) to his ex-wife.

Cars, holidays and a Sh28 million (£200,000) wedding to his second wife were also included in his spending spree. But it was his Sh561 million (£4 million) investment in Livingston Football Club that saw his downfall after the club later went into administration, as McGuinness had used his wealth to guarantee the club’s loans and was liable for its debts.

He claims that he was misled about his football club investment and following a lost legal battle he was forced to sell property to cover his costs. By 2009, McGuinness was a virtual recluse with hardly enough cash to afford food.

Pete Kyle - Sh715 million (£5.1 million)

When Pete Kyle won a Sh715 million (£5.1million) jackpot on the National Lottery, he said it was "like a dream". Stunned, the retired Royal Artillery gunner vowed the money was "going to change" his family's life. And for a while, it did. He took his relatives on lavish holidays, bought cars and boats and swapped his home for a luxury five-bedroom mansion boasting a steam room, a bar and a pool.

Pete Kyle poses with his giant cheque - for more than £5million (Image: Al Stewart/The Herald)

But just three years later, Pete was reportedly broke and on benefits. He had squandered an eye-watering Sh646,000 (£4,600) a day, the Plymouth Herald reports. He is said to have poured his money away on the top-of-the-range cars, his expensive house with extensions and building works, the pricey holidays, and cash handouts to his kids.

John Roberts - Sh435 million (£3.1million)

In 1998, former security guard John Roberts won Sh435 million (£3.1million) in 1998. However, he managed to lose it all in record-breaking speed. The debt-ridden lotto winner blames his friends for convincing him to make some poor investments. This included buying a pub however it was later revealed that Roberts' name was never on the deeds. He now lives in a caravan and is around Sh2.8 million (£20,000) in debt.

Callie Rogers - Sh253 million (£1.8 million)

The UK's youngest lottery winner has called for age limit to be raised after she revealed how she blew her Sh253 million (£1.8m) jackpot on drugs, partying and boob jobs. Callie Rogers, 31, admitted she struggled with fame and fortune that the win brought her.

Callie Rogers, then aged 16, celebrating after winning (Image: PA)

She was just 16, the minimum age for the game, when she collected her cheque in 2003. She blew Sh2.5 million (£18,000) on breast surgery, another Sh42 million (£300,000) on clothes and gave away Sh70 million (£500,000) to friends and family. Her one big regret is that the money isn’t here for her son Blake.

Roger Griffiths - Sh253 million (£1.8million)

Former IT manager Roger Griffiths won Sh253 million (£1.8million) in 2005. After he and his teacher wife Lara quit their jobs, they splurged on a Sh112 million (£800,000) barn conversion in Yorkshire. Expensive cars, lavish holidays to Dubai, Monaco and New York and weekend breaks in top London hotels were also among their big purchases.

Lotto winners Roger and Lara Griffiths from Wetherby, North Yorkshire (Image: Ross Parry Agency-Leeds)

Griffiths also put £25,000 towards making a record with his old band from Lancaster University. Despite investing in property and a beauty salon the housing crash saw the value of their property plumet. The couple split in 2013 after their money had gone, with them both blaming one another for their loss in fortunes.

Jane Park - Sh140 million (£1million)

Britain's youngest EuroMillions winner said her windfall ended up ruining her life. Jane Park, who was only 17 when she scooped Sh140 million (£1million) with her first-ever ticket, even considered legal action against lottery bosses for negligence.

Now 22-years-old, Jane, who was charged with drink driving at a McDonald’s, says the money has made her life ten times worse. She shelled out Sh14 million (£100,000) on a top Harley Street doctor – to control her manic jealousy and turn her into “wife material”. Park also lost Sh14 million (£100,000) in a doomed business venture with a gangland boss Mark Richardson, 30. The Edinburgh winner has also spent more than Sh7 million (£50,000) on plastic surgery after becoming obsessed with glamorous celebrities on social media, including a bum lift and boob job.