What is Edwin Castro doing a year after his epic US lottery win? The Powerball turned the former mechanic into a multimillionaire overnight – and he was just spotted with a mystery woman

Overnight multimillionaire Edwin Castro raked in his immense wealth with an outstanding stroke of luck: he won the biggest US lottery jackpot ever, the Powerball, worth US$2.04 billion, per The New York Times. After taxes, he reportedly walked away with a lump sum of US$628.5 million on Valentine’s Day last year and swiftly became a media darling for how he has been spending his fortune.

What is Edwin Castro’s background … and what’s he like?

Castro was reportedly living in a one-bedroom home in Altadena, California before winning the Powerball. He bought his winning ticket from petrol station Joe’s Service Center in his hometown, per Florida Today.

What did Edwin Castro do after his big lottery win?

Even before his name was revealed to the public, Castro left social media, per New York Post. Then he jetted off to Fiji for a luxurious holiday with his friends. The publication exclusively reported that he shared photos of himself and his pals at the Cloud 9 floating bar in Fiji, known as “Fiji’s Floating Paradise”.

Once he returned from his holiday, he hired security for himself and his family, and enlisted his banker brother to manage his funds with him.

What has Edwin Castro spent his money on?

Back in 2023, he reportedly bought a seven-bedroom, 11-bathroom mansion in Bel Air, Los Angeles, worth US$47 million, per New York Post. The lavish home also boasts a champagne tasting room, an infinity pool, a cinema and a wine cellar.

Financial experts have called his purchases “terrible”, per New York Post.

He was accused of stealing his winning ticket

British media reports that Castro was sued by Jose Rivera, who claimed that the winning ticket was originally his. He alleged that it was stolen by his former landlord, Urachi “Reggie” Romero, and ended up with Castro.

However, US media recently revealed photos of Castro’s winning ticket – which did not, as Rivera claimed, bear his sister’s address. Castro’s legal team reportedly added that he does not know either Rivera or Romero.