Six years ago, Lucia Forseth was homeless.
But life has changed dramatically since then for the Contra Costa County woman.
Earlier this year, she bought a California Lottery Scratchers ticket while getting an oil change at the Walmart Supercenter in Pittsburg, just northeast of Oakland. She needed a double-take to realize she won the top prize after buying just the single ticket.
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"I only bought one ticket," Forseth told the California Lottery. "I closed my eyes and picked that one, and it won. I first thought I'd won a free ticket, but I checked, and it said I won $5 million."
The Scratchers ticket called '2023' has special meaning for Forseth in what has already been a year of significant life events.
"Six years ago, I was homeless. This year I am getting married, getting my associate degree, and won $5 million," Forseth said. "You never think you have a chance to win it. It is just random. Being homeless just six years ago, I never thought it would happen to someone like me."
She plans on buying a new house and investing the remaining money.
