Jackpot! $543 Million Mega Millions Winning Ticket Sold in San Jose

Someone in San Jose became a multimillionaire many times over Tuesday after buying a Mega Millions ticket with all six winning numbers, according to the California Lottery.

The winning ticket was sold at Ernie's Liquors on South White Road in San Jose, the agency said. Lottery officials confirmed late Tuesday night it was the lone jackpot ticket in the $522 million draw. 

On Wednesday, California Lottery officials announced that jackpot total rose to $543 million. It is the largest jackpot in California Lottery history, the third largest in Mega Millions history and the ninth largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history, lottery officials said.

The winning numbers in Tuesday's Mega Millions draw were: 1, 2, 4, 19, 29, and Mega number 20.

The owner of Ernie's Liquors will receive a $1 million bonus for selling the jackpot ticket, lottery officials said. Late Tuesday, members of the Sachdev family gathered at their store to celebrate their winnings. They said some of the money will go to charities and to their employees.

On Wednesday, the family who has owned the liquor store for 18 years was presented with a large cardboard check.

"United States is a country where you can realize your dreams really well. This country has given us the opportunity to do that," Kewal Sachdev said. "I wish these winners very well and hope they do some good work, some charity work, and take care of their families and friends."

The winner had yet to come forward to claim their hefty prize. They will have the option of either taking a lump sum of $320.5 million or receiving payments over 30 years.  

There are two California Lottery locations in the Bay Area where the jackpot can be claimed: one in Hayward and one in South San Francisco. 

In December 2013, a jackpot Mega Millions ticket worth more than $640 million was sold at Jenny's Gift Shop on Tully Road in East San Jose.

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