Famous Canadian Winners: Where Are They Now?

When the confetti settles and the giant novelty cheque is put away, real life begins. In Canada, we have seen the full spectrum of lottery outcomes. We have saints, we have sinners, and we have tragedies.

Analyzing the stories of past winners is the best way to prepare yourself for the future. Here are the most famous Canadian lottery winners, their stories, and the lessons we can learn from them.

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1. The Saint: Tom Crist (Calgary, AB)

Prize: $40 Million (Lotto Max, 2013) Status: Hero

In May 2013, Tom Crist received a call OLG. He had won $40 Million. Most people would scream. Tom said, "Oh, okay," and hung up. He proceeded to go to lunch. He didn't tell his children. He didn't tell his friends.

The Story: Tom's wife of 33 years, Jan, had passed away from cancer earlier that year. The money meant nothing to him without her. Seven months later, he finally walked into the prize office. He announced that he was placing the entire $40 Million into a family trust fund dedicated to charity. He didn't keep a dime. The money now funds the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary.

The Lesson: Money amplifies who you already are. Tom was a generous man before he won, so the money allowed him to be infinitely generous. Wealth does not have to be consumed; it can be a tool for legacy.

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2. The Cautionary Tale: Sharon Tirabassi (Hamilton, ON)

Prize: $10.5 Million (Lotto Super 7, 2004) Status: Back to working 9-to-5

In 2004, Sharon Tirabassi was a single mother on welfare. She bought a ticket and won $10.5 Million. It was the ultimate Cinderella story. She bought a massive house. She bought a Hummer. She took friends on chartered trips to Las Vegas. She handed out loans to neighbors.

The Story: She didn't hire a sophisticated financial advisor. She put the money in a checking account and spent it. Within 10 years, the money was gone. Today, Sharon rides the bus to her job, rents a house, and lives a normal working-class life. She says she is actually happier now because the "leeches" (people asking for money) are gone.

The Lesson: $10 Million is not infinity. If you spend $1 Million a year, you are broke in a decade. Without "Capital Preservation" (living off the interest, not the principal), bankruptcy is mathematically guaranteed.

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3. The Smart Teenager: Charlie Lagarde (Quebec)

Prize: $1,000/Week for Life (Gagnant à vie, 2018) Status: Financial stable

Charlie bought her first ever lottery ticket on her 18th birthday to celebrate becoming an adult. She won the Grand Prize. She had a choice:

1. $1,000,000 Lump Sum.
2. $1,000 a week for life (tax-free).

Most 18-year-olds would take the million and buy a Ferrari. Charlie hired a financial advisor.

The Story: She calculated that because she was so young, the "Weekly" option was worth far more. If she lives to 80, she will receive over $3 Million. She took the annuity. It acts as a permanent safety net. She went to university to study photography, knowing her rent would always be paid.

The Lesson: Understand the "Time Value of Money." Sometimes, security (cash flow) is more valuable than a pile of cash (equity).

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4. The Tragedy: Gerald Muswagon (Winnipeg, MB)

Prize: $10 Million (Super 7, 1998) Status: Deceased

Gerald bought a $10 Million ticket in 1998. Like Sharon, he spent lavishly. He bought cars for friends and turned his house into a "party palace" where drugs and alcohol flowed freely. People flocked to him to take advantage of his generosity.

The Story: In a few years, he blew it all. He ended up working minimum wage hauling lumber. Depressed and filled with regret over the lost opportunity, he sadly took his own life in 2005.

The Lesson: "Sudden Wealth Syndrome" is real. The pressure of wealth can destroy mental health if you do not have a support system. (See our "First 24 Hours Guide" on why hiring a therapist is recommended).

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5. The Drama: The Lavigueur Family (Montreal, QC)

Prize: $7.6 Million (Lotto 6/49, 1986) Status: Legends (There is literally a TV miniseries about them)

A poor father lost his wallet. A stranger found it and returned it. Fatefully, the father then used the money in the wallet to buy a lottery ticket. He won. The media went crazy. "The honesty of a stranger leads to millions!"

The Story: The family imploded. The father sued his son. Feuds over who paid for the ticket tore them apart. The stranger who returned the wallet felt entitled to a cut. It became a national soap opera of greed and dysfunction.

The Lesson: Sign the ticket. Establish the group before you win. If you play with family, have a written agreement. Money finds the cracks in relationships and splits them wide open.

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Summary

The difference between Tom Crist and Gerald Muswagon wasn't the money. It was the preparation.

• Tom had a plan and a value system.
• Charlie sought advice.
• Sharon and Gerald tried to be "The King/Queen of the Neighborhood."

When you win, be Tom. Be Charlie. Don't be the person who tries to impress the world—because the world will just take your money and leave.