POWERBALL winner Theodorus Struyck was spotted having a humble July 4 after his big $1.7 billion windfall – heading to Walmart for supplies before picking up some fast food at In-N-Out.
The lottery winner, 66, has been spending time with family – months after being named as the representative of a mystery syndicate earlier this year.
The windfall is the second-largest in American history after former mechanic Edwin Castro, 32, scooped an eye-watering $2.04 billion back in November 2022.
Struyck reportedly bought his $2 Quick Pick from Midway Market, just minutes from his old home in Frazier Park, California.
The U.S. Sun obtained exclusive photographs of humble Struyck, known as Theo, out and about on Thursday afternoon, miles from San Diego.
He was spotted wearing casual clothing, opting for a cheap baggy blue T-shirt and grey cargo shorts.
Struyck, who is of Hawaiian heritage, also chose a pair of beige high-top sneakers and a hat with the words “Island Made” emblazoned on the front.
He wore his long hair tied back in a ponytail as he was seen at Walmart running errands.
Despite many families choosing to grill meats on July 4, Struyck kept it simple, opting to pick up a meal at fast food restaurant In-N-Out.
He was seen carrying a paper bag with his food and a beverage as he made his way back to his vehicle.
While Struyck may not be interested in fine dining and designer clothing, he does seem to have made at least one big purchase since his lotto triumph.
Incredible drone footage shows humble home of new ‘Edwin Castro’ Theodorus Struyck & how path to $1.7b was 500m away
He was seen on July 4 driving a white GMC Sierra AT4X, which costs about $100,000.
Lottery officials refused to reveal how many people were in Struyck’s syndicate.
However, they confirmed the group opted to receive the cash in a lump sum, walking away with around $774.1 million before taxes.
OPA TRUST
Struyck bought the ticket on October 11, 2023, and set up a trust in January 2024 named Opa Can Rest Now, which means grandfather.
One of his first money moves was to pay off his two-bed, two-bath house in the mountain town, which he purchased for $90,000 back in 2010.
The former UPS worker, who was enjoying retirement before the win, remortgaged his property in 2015.
According to online property details, it is now believed to be worth about $298,100.
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, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.
- Theodorus Struyck – $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
- Unknown winner – $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 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, Jan. 13, 2016.
- Unknown winner – $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
- Unknown winner – he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 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, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.
- Unknown winner – $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.
Although neighbors say they have barely seen him since the win, the home remains off the market.
Struyck has been spending a lot of time with his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren after the win and an insider said he had been househunting in recent months.
He was seen checking out a $1.5 million home just minutes away from his family back in April.
The house sold in May but he is not believed to be the current owner of the property.
Locals in Frazier Park said they have hardly seen him since the win, but he has put up a “no trespassing” sign as news crews descended on the neighborhood.
Neighbor Kevin Woten previously told The U.S. Sun he was watching Strucyk’s property, saying, “We’re keeping an eye out but you worry about shady people up to no good.
“I’m worried someone might come by and put a sack over his head, throw him in a van, and take him off, that sort of thing.
“I’m hoping he’ll look into security [when he returns]. You have to with that amount of money.
“He hasn’t been around for four or five days, but I doubt we’re going to see limousines and stuff. None of that’s gonna happen.”
HUMBLE GRANDFATHER
Midway Market, which sold the winning ticket, received a $1 million check, lottery officials said.
Nidal “Andy” Khalil, who has co-owned the Midway Market & Liquor store since 1994, said Struyck is a “very calm, quiet dude” who likes to stay private.
“I would say he came in to buy tickets once or twice a week with snacks,” he remembered.
“I believe he’s been down in San Diego with his family, I haven’t seen him since but it’s great news.
“I had a call from my nephew saying, ‘We sold the [winning] lottery ticket’.
“I said, ‘Come on man, it’s too early to tell right now’. He said, ‘No, I’m serious man, people have been calling me’.
“I opened Facebook and news was blowing up from the area. Then I started getting calls from the news and all that.
“The lottery contacted me, then they came and took the CCTV.
“I watched the video, but it was hard to tell [who it was] as so many people bought in that minute. I heard it was a $2 quick pick.”
The jackpot was won on the 36th draw in that sequence with the winning numbers being 22, 24, 40, 52, 64, and the red Powerball 10.