In a historic turn of events, a single ticket-holder from Austria has won the largest EuroMillions jackpot ever recorded, a staggering £209.3 million (€250 million). The winning numbers, drawn on the night of March 28, 2025, were 10, 21, 30, 42, and 45, with Lucky Stars 01 and 09, marking a monumental moment for lottery enthusiasts across Europe.
This record-breaking win eclipses the previous highest EuroMillions jackpot of £195 million, which was claimed by an anonymous player in July 2022. The latest jackpot was the result of a rollover, as no one had won the £182 million prize in the draw held just days earlier on March 25, 2025.
According to reports from the National Lottery operator Allwyn, the Austrian winner purchased their ticket for just €10, a modest investment that has now transformed their life forever. "This jackpot is the largest-ever prize in EuroMillions history," an Allwyn spokesperson confirmed.
The excitement surrounding the draw was palpable, with Andy Carter, a senior winners' adviser at Allwyn, stating prior to the draw, "This Friday night promises to be a massive one for EuroMillions players, as the country's biggest ever winner could be made. Get your tickets early as there is an astounding estimated jackpot of £202 million up for grabs."
As the news of the win broke, many were reminded of other significant EuroMillions wins in the UK. Joe and Jess Thwaite, a couple from Gloucester, had previously made headlines when they won £184 million on May 10, 2022. Their win was notable not only for its size but also for the couple's heartfelt reactions. Joe Thwaite, 49, recalled waking up to an email confirming their win, saying, "I looked it up and saw we’d won. I saw how much and I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t go back to sleep." Meanwhile, Jess expressed disbelief, insisting her husband must have made a mistake or that the National Lottery was wrong.
For the Thwaites, the win opened up a world of possibilities. Jess shared, "The win gives us time to dream, which we haven’t had before. We’ve had one week to think about this and we now have time to share lots of experiences and go on adventures with our family and friends." Their children, who had always wished to visit Hawaii, may now see that dream come true.
The Thwaites’ win was just one of many significant EuroMillions payouts. In November 2024, another anonymous ticket-holder claimed a £177 million jackpot, further demonstrating the life-changing potential of the lottery. The odds of winning such a jackpot remain daunting, estimated at around one in 139,838,160.
The EuroMillions lottery, which includes players from nine participating countries—UK, Spain, France, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Switzerland—has been a source of excitement and hope for millions. The recent win has reignited interest in the game, with many eager to try their luck in hopes of becoming the next big winner.
Austria, in particular, has seen a remarkable number of winners since the competition's inception, with 19 jackpot wins recorded to date. The latest victory has sparked discussions about the potential impact of such wealth on the winner's life. In the past, winners have expressed a mix of excitement and trepidation about their newfound fortunes.
For instance, Colin and Chris Weir, who won over £161 million in July 2011, spoke about the excitement of their win, stating they weren’t intimidated by their wealth but were looking forward to having “so much fun” with their money. Their generous spirit was evident when they made a significant donation to the Scottish National Party shortly after their win.
Conversely, the story of Adrian and Gillian Bayford, who won more than £148 million in August 2012, serves as a cautionary tale. Just 15 months after their win, the couple's marriage ended, with the pressures of their sudden wealth cited as a contributing factor to their split.
As the dust settles on this latest record-breaking win, the focus now shifts to the winner's future. Will they choose to remain anonymous, like many past winners, or will they step into the limelight to share their story? The allure of wealth can be both a blessing and a burden, and how the Austrian winner navigates this new chapter will undoubtedly capture public interest.
In the meantime, lottery players across Europe are likely to be inspired by this historic win. The prospect of winning such a life-changing amount continues to draw in hopeful participants, each dreaming of their own moment of fortune. As the next EuroMillions draw approaches, the anticipation builds once more, with players eager to see if they can match the astonishing feat achieved by the latest jackpot winner.
With the EuroMillions lottery continuing to offer massive jackpots and thrilling possibilities, it remains a staple of hope and excitement for millions. The allure of a life-changing win is ever-present, and as this latest record demonstrates, dreams can indeed come true with just a single ticket.
