85-Year-Old Michigan Lottery Winner Plans to Buy New Mattress

The Antrim County woman won $1 million on a $10 scratch-off ticket as part of her weekly routine.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:55pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic mattress object repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn the everyday consumer item into modern pop art.An 85-year-old Michigan woman's routine lottery purchase led to a $1 million windfall, which she plans to use for a new mattress.Grand Blanc Today

An 85-year-old woman from Antrim County, Michigan recently won a $1 million prize from the Michigan Lottery by playing her weekly routine of buying a $10 scratch-off ticket. The lucky winner, who chose to remain anonymous, said she plans to use her winnings to purchase a new mattress.

Why it matters

This story highlights how even small, routine purchases can sometimes lead to life-changing windfalls, especially for older adults on fixed incomes. It also showcases the continued popularity of state lottery programs as a source of entertainment and potential wealth for players.

The details

The woman bought the winning $1 million Golden Key instant game ticket at a Family Fare store in East Jordan, Michigan. She said the million-dollar prize was the first thing she scratched off on the ticket. Despite the large win, the woman remained calm and was able to share the exciting moment with her daughter who was with her at the time. After claiming the prize at the Michigan Lottery headquarters, the woman opted to take the cash option, which amounts to around $700,000 after taxes.

  • The woman bought the winning ticket on March 25, 2026.
  • She claimed the $1 million prize at Michigan Lottery Headquarters shortly after her win.

The players

Anonymous 85-Year-Old Michigan Lottery Winner

An 85-year-old woman from Antrim County, Michigan who won a $1 million prize on a $10 scratch-off lottery ticket as part of her weekly routine.

Family Fare

The grocery store in East Jordan, Michigan where the 85-year-old woman purchased the winning $1 million lottery ticket.

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What they’re saying

“It's been part of my routine for years to buy scratch off tickets once a week. The $1 million win was the first thing I scratched off on the ticket. I'm a pretty even-keeled person, so I didn't have a crazy reaction and stayed calm for the most part. My daughter was with me at the time, so it was fun to be able to share that moment with her.”

— Anonymous 85-Year-Old Michigan Lottery Winner

What’s next

The anonymous 85-year-old winner plans to use her $700,000 cash prize to purchase a new mattress, her first major purchase since winning the $1 million Michigan Lottery jackpot.

The takeaway

This heartwarming story of an 85-year-old woman winning a $1 million lottery prize through her weekly scratch-off routine demonstrates how even small, consistent actions can sometimes lead to life-changing windfalls, especially for older adults on fixed incomes. It also highlights the continued appeal of state lottery programs as a source of entertainment and potential wealth for players.