Michigan Mega Millions Winner has to Share $38 Million with his ex-wife

Mega Millions Lottery ticket

How would you like to have to share your lottery winnings with your ex-wife?

One lottery winner had to do just that. Richard Zelasko with the $80 Million prize from the Mega Millions lottery jackpot in July 2013, and was ordered by the Michigan Court of Appeals to share his winnings with his ex-wife.

After taxes and fees, his total prize came to $38,873,628.00 USD and he had to share it with his wife - Mary Elizabeth Zelasko. They filed for divorce in 2011, but they were still waiting for legal arbitration with Richard Zelasko won the Mega Millions Lottery. Because the divorce was still in arbitration, the court ruled that Richard Zelasko must share the lottery winnings with his ex-wife.

Richard Zelasko's divorce was officially finalized in 2018.