Ten years ago, a Bernese man saw his life turned upside down by winning 48 million francs in the Swiss lottery. Today, he opens up about how this win changed his life – and what he did with it.
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It was a day like any other, “Hans im Glück” (name changed) tells the Aargauer Zeitung. He was in a park when, while going to buy cigarettes, he noticed the astronomical size of the jackpot. “I told myself I could try my luck again,” he confides. And a few hours later, the unthinkable happens: he wins the jackpot. To digest the news, he treats himself to a whiskey.
Despite this sudden fortune, Hans and his wife chose not to disrupt their daily lives. “It was essential for us to remain ourselves,” he assures. Their priority was to make wise investments: real estate, stocks, and a gift for their children.
“We examined everything with our bank and benefited from valuable advice,” says the winner. They allowed themselves some pleasures, such as buying a new car, but neither the large lakeside villa nor luxury splurges were among their choices.
“My wife continues to watch for promotions at the Coop”
The news quickly spread among those around them, and Hans had to face intrusive questions. “I sometimes had to lie to people,” he admits. He also received an avalanche of begging letters and calls. “I always said no, except for a few interest-free loans.” Despite everything, he is relieved to have been able to preserve his relationships.
Hans and his wife insisted on maintaining a modest lifestyle. “My wife continues to watch for promotions at the Coop,” he says with a smile. Even though they could afford much more, they prefer to travel to places they like and stay in good hotels rather than purchasing a second home. “We don’t want additional burdens.”
Ten years after this stroke of luck, Hans never played the lottery again. “I had my share of luck,” he explains, before concluding: “With a million, I would have been just as happy.”
