it was worst thing that ever happened… In June 1997, Billie Bob Harrell, Jr. became a millionaire over night after winning the Texas Lotto jackpot

 

In June 1997, Billie Bob Harrell, Jr. became a millionaire over night after winning the $31 million Texas Lotto jackpot. 

Dad who scooped $31million lottery suffered tragic end after saying ‘it was worst thing that ever happened’

Harrell, Jr.'s life before winning was full of financial struggle and him, his wife, and their three children battled to make ends meet. So the lottery win initially changed his families life. 

Harrell quit his job, took a family trip to Hawaii, generously donated to his church, and helped friends and family. 

However, his new found wealth led to a lot of old friends and acquaintances asking him for financial assistance on an almost daily basis. This forced him to change his phone number. 

Over the course of the next year, his life began to slowly unravel leading to him separating from his wife. 

On May 22, 1999, just shy of the two year anniversary of his big win, Harrell tragically ended his life. 

Harrell had expressed his unhappiness to a financial adviser shortly before his passing. Telling them “Winning the lottery is the worst thing that ever happened to me.”