Man scoops £1million on the lottery - then dies four months after win

24 April 2023 , 14:58

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Jesus Martinez, 88, died four months after winning the lottery (Image: Newsflash)

An 88-year-old former miner who won €1.2 million (£1.07 million) on the lottery has died just four months later after barely touching his winnings.

Jesus Martinez - who scooped the Spanish Christmas Lottery in Madrid - used to say that a gypsy had predicted that one day he would be a millionaire.

But when the day came, Jesus did not realise his time to spend the fortune was running out fast.

Jesus won his fortune with his lucky number 05490 in the draw on December 22.

Lotto chiefs paid out the huge win in instalments and Jesus had only had time to receive his first three instalments.

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He had deposited the first two instalments in his bank account before he died. It is currently unclear what Jesus did with the third instalment.

The televised draw of the Spanish Christmas Lottery in December 2022 (Newsflash)

One of his friends, who has not been named, said: "Unfortunately, he only had four months to enjoy the large prize."

His friend said that Jesus often said that a gypsy woman had read his cards and predicted that he would be a millionaire, which is why "he always played the lottery".

Jesus's cause of death was not given in local media and it is uncertain what will happen to the rest of his winnings, which has yet to be paid out.

Ryan Merrifield