TWO of the biggest lottery winners in California are not interested in stacking their closets with designer clothing after their windfalls, preferring to snub labels in exchange for budget looks.
Edwin Castro, who hit the largest jackpot ever in the US, is often seen dressed down in cheap fits since his $2.04 billion win in late 2022.
And fellow lottery champ Theodorus Struyck has proven he too is sticking to a budget wardrobe, judging by new photographs obtained by The U.S. Sun.
He is seen in new snaps wearing a bargain blue T-shirt, gray cargo pants, and cheap beige sneakers with a gas station-style hat with the words “Island Made” on the front.
Struyck, who is of Hawaiian heritage, was named as the representative of a secret syndicate earlier this year after buying his ticket back in October 2023.
He was previously snapped wearing a cheap gray T-shirt and matching camouflage board shorts.
Struyck also opted for merchandise showing the wording “Taft Grand Prix” – an annual motocross race at Honolulu Hills Raceway in Kern County promoted and organized by the Dirt Diggers Motorcycle Club.
Castro also often reps merchandise for local businesses and sports teams he follows.
He was recently seen wearing a black top with the word Schraders on the front, which is a restoration shop in Azusa, California, a Los Angeles suburb.
The lottery winner matched it with a pair of navy pants and white and gray Nike running shoes.
GREASE MONKEYS
He even attends meetings with lawyers and financial advisors wearing casual clothing and is barely ever seen not wearing a pair of flip-flops.
The only time he was seen to dress up in public was on an outing with a mystery woman in West Hollywood back in February.
Powerball winner Theodorus Struyck is a ‘humble’ grandfather who has tried to ‘keep win quiet’ since $1.7b lottery scoop
He wore a blue/black shirt and black jeans with a pair of smart brown shoes.
Edwin wined and dined his female companion at celebrity favorite Sushi Park, a popular eatery in a strip mall where meals average $400 per head, The U.S. Sun reported.
The stylish woman wore a black satin dress with strappy green stiletto heels for the occasion — the same color as Edwin’s Porsche, which he drove on the night out.
It seems both Castro and Struyck have the same idea when it comes to spending money on cars, as they’re happy to splash the cash on expensive vehicles to get around town.
The pair both appear to be motorheads, with Castro having spent money on a large collection of vintage sports cars.
Top lottery winners in the US
Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.
- Edwin Castro – $2.04 billion, Powerball, November 8, 2022, in California.
- Theodorus Struyck – $1.765 billion, Powerball, October 11, 2023, in California.
- Unknown winner – $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, August 8, 2023, in Florida.
- Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida – $1.586 billion, Powerball, January 13, 2016.
- Unknown winner – $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, October 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
- Unknown winner – he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, January 13, 2023, from Maine.
- Unknown winner – $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
- Cheng and Duanpen Saephan, and Laiza Liem Chao – $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
- Yanira Alvarez – $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
- Wolverine FLL Lottery Club – $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, January 22, 2021, from Michigan.
- Unknown winner – $842.4 million Powerball, January 1, 2024, from Michigan.
The U.S. Sun revealed this week Struyck has also been seen driving a new vehicle, but he’s more into trucks than Porsches.
He was seen running errands at Walmart and picking up fast food at In-N-Out in a white GMC Sierra AT4X, which costs about $100,000.
Officials with the California Lottery still refuse to reveal how many people were in Struyck’s syndicate and how they were linked to him after he was named earlier this year.
However, they confirmed the group opted to receive the cash in a lump sum, walking away with around $774.1 million before taxes.
FAMILY-ORIENTATED
“Announcing big wins like this gives all of our players the chance to hope and dream that they could be next,” California Lottery Director Harjinder K. Shergill Chima said in a news release.
“But it also gives us an opportunity to shine the spotlight on our terrific mission, which is to generate additional, supplemental funding for public education in California.
“So, it’s students of all ages across the state, who win every day thanks to our players, our retail partners who sell these fun games, and our hard-working staff here at the lottery. This is an exciting day for all of us!”
The big jackpot raised an additional $119.5 million for public schools.
Stuyck’s win with his friends ended a streak that lasted three months when the group matched all five numbers plus the Powerball.
In California, lottery jackpot winners cannot remain anonymous or claim their prize as a trust like in several other states.
The U.S. Sun understands Struyck attended Playa Del Rey Elementary School and Venice Senior High School, but it is not known if he attended college after graduating.
Locals in Frazier Park described him as a “very private man” who is “humble” and “family-orientated.”