Better late than never

A couple who were Powerball winners kept their secret for three weeks before finally claiming their prize of $116.8 million. They won the jackpot on May 17, and can expect a cheque for over $39 million to be with them soon.

The couple opted to take a one-off payment which, after taxes, comes to the lower $39 million value (the $116.8 million would be in the form of an annuity). Winner Lan “Bill” Nguyen aged 37, came from Vietnam when he was 17 and until the win ran a beauty parlour with his wife at a local mall. They took their time in claiming their prize whilst they sold their business to an employee and made plans for the future.

Now Bill and wife Tina are on an extended holiday with their son Alex. The Nguyen’s lawyer who had helped to keep their win anonymous for as long as possible, said the family also had some local charities they wanted to help.

- 12/6/06