10 Biggest Mega Millions Prizes in History

Which Mega Millions winner took home the biggest jackpot? The $1.602 billion prize in August 2023 was the largest Mega Millions jackpot won in history.

As Mega Millions makes records (the prize won on June 4, 2024, ranks No. 10), we wanted to tell you about the biggest Mega Millions prizes in the game's history

⚡️ Feeling inspired? Get in the game on the Jackpocket lottery app for mobile or desktop.

1. $1.602 Billion (Florida)

A Florida entity named Saltines Holdings, LLC claimed the top Mega Millions jackpot in history after its ticket matched all six numbers in the Aug. 8, 2023, drawing. The jackpot was so big it was known as “Mega Billons.” The lucky ticket was purchased from a Publix in Neptune Beach.  

2. $1.537 Billion (South Carolina)

An anonymous player in the small town of Simpsonville, South Carolina, is the lucky billionaire. The drawing was held on Oct. 23, 2018. Not only did the South Carolina resident win big, but so did the state, receiving $61 million in income tax from the winning ticket.

Learn more: Which states win Mega Millions the most

3. $1.348 Billion (Maine)

On Friday the 13th (Jan. 13, 2023), Maine won its first-ever Mega Millions jackpot. The winning ticket was sold at Hometown Gas & Grill in Lebanon.

4. $1.337 Billion (Illinois)

Two lucky Illinois Lottery players scored the fourth-largest Mega Millions prize ever.  The duo wanted to stay anonymous but won on a single ticket.  Illinois Lottery said the winners "must be be over the moon." Around 23 cents of every dollar spent on the Illinois Lottery is returned to education and good causes across the state, so these mystery winners weren't the only ones getting lucky!

Learn more: Where lottery money goes

5. $1.128 Billion (New Jersey)

The first Mega Millions winner of 2024 had a billion reasons to celebrate. A lucky someone in New Jersey matched all six numbers drawn on Tuesday, March 26, 2024,  with a ticket purchased at ShopRite Liquor in Neptune Township.

Learn More: Check out this couple that got engaged after winning $1 million on Jackpocket.

6. $1.05 Billion (Michigan)

New year, new millionaires. A lottery club with four members in Detroit shared this billion-dollar jackpot from the Mega Millions drawing on Jan. 22, 2021. The lottery pool, named “Wolverine FLL Club,” had the good fortune to hold the only jackpot-winning ticket. “This kind of money will impact the families of our club members for generations to come,” the lottery club members said in a statement. “We plan to stay humble and pay it forward through charitable giving in southeast Michigan.”

7. $810 Million (Texas)

The Sol Living Trust of Sugar Land, Texas, took home a prize of $810 million.

8. $656 Million (Kansas, Illinois, and Maryland)

Three separate winning tickets, purchased in Kansas, Illinois, and Maryland, split this huge jackpot on March 30, 2012. Two of the three winning tickets were Quick Picks, randomly assigned numbers from the computer. As a spokesperson for the Maryland Lottery said, “Each of the winners gets $105.1 million in cash after taxes roughly, but who cares about pennies at this point?”

Learn more: Quick Pick vs picking your own lottery numbers

9. $648 Million (California and Georgia)

Two winning tickets, sold on Dec. 17, 2013, left each winner — one in California and one in Georgia — with $324 million. After double-checking his numbers, the Georgia winner said he left this voice message for his boss: “I’m really sorry boss. I hit the jackpot. I don’t think I’m going to come in today, tomorrow or ever.”

I’m really sorry boss. I hit the jackpot. I don’t think I’m going to come in today, tomorrow, or ever.”

10. $552 Million (Illinois)

The winning ticket for the $552 million Mega Millions jackpot on June 4, 2024, was purchased online through the Illinois Lottery. It's the largest iLottery prize in U.S. history. "I’ve always dreamed of retiring early and enjoying life with my family. I think it’s safe to say my dream just came true,” the winner told the Illinois Lottery. 

Learn more: States where you can buy lottery tickets online

Honorable Mentions

11. $543 Million (California)

On July 24, 2018, a group of 11 co-workers split this $543 million windfall, thanks to their office pool! All 11 members worked for Wells Fargo in San Jose at the time, which means they will (literally) be pros at managing their new fortune!

12. $536 Million (Indiana)

On July 8, 2016, an Indiana couple won this mega jackpot after buying five Quick Pick tickets on a road trip. The winning family remained anonymous by accepting their prize through a law firm in the state.

13. $533 Million (New Jersey)

A New Jersey man took home the state’s second-largest jackpot in state history on March 30, 2018. He accepted the one-time lump sum payment of about $175 million after taxes. He used his good fortune to rebuild a 1964 Corvette and had plans to donate a good amount to charity.

Powerball more your speed? Top 10 Powerball jackpots in history

14. $522 Million (California)

A San Diego woman claimed this half-billion-dollar prize on June 7, 2019. Once again, this winning ticket was a result of a Quick Pick. The lucky winner chose to take the cash option of $340 million before taxes and said she planned to pay off debt and buy a new home with her newfound fortune.

15. $516 Million (Pennsylvania)

A five-person trust named "Peace of Mind" claimed this half-billion-dollar jackpot from May 21, 2021, which they claimed as a cash lump-sum payment of $348 million. According to their lawyers, "This is life-changing generational money. The winners live in small communities in eastern Pennsylvania and desire to keep their lives as normal as possible. Maintaining anonymity is key to ensuring that normalcy. The winning ticket was a Quick Pick."

16. $502 Million (California and Florida)

Two winning tickets split this prize and received $251 million each. The Mega Millions winners were Edward Lojewski and the Pineapple Trust of Bonita Springs, Florida.

17. $451 Million (Florida)

Another Quick Pick winner! A lucky 20-year-old man took home this jackpot on January 5, 2018. First, he won $5 from a scratch off and then used that prize to purchase his winning Mega Millions ticket. The winner said that he planned to purchase a home and take care of his family.

18. $437 Million (New York)

Office party! To their disbelief, a group of 23 co-workers from a small retail business in Long Island took home this record jackpot on January 1, 2019. This was the largest jackpot won in New York State Lottery history. The group opted to take the one-time lump sum payment and each walked away with just under $8 million. Not too shabby.

Where Are the Largest Mega Millions Jackpot Winners Now?

Mega Millions winners are spread all across the country, with some choosing to remain anonymous while others have shared their stories. For those who have chosen to remain anonymous, little is known about their personal lives or what they are doing now. For those who shared their story of winning and what they planned to do with their newfound wealth, it is unknown where their lives went after taking home their prize. You can bet that some of the winners might have included some of these most-drawn numbers in their selections.

Top Mega Millions Wins by Year

Let’s take a look at the Mega Millions historical jackpots that were the largest by year going back to the start of the game.

From this list, it’s easy to see how the prizes have grown over the years, from the top prize in 2002 being $165 million to the $810 million taken home in 2024. This is a result of changes to the game that occurred in 2015. The changes caused higher odds of winning the grand prize and added more excitement to the game with larger jackpots to be won.

The More You Know

How high will the jackpot grow? Will one of the winners in this article be replaced? Nothing left to do but play and see! Order your Mega Millions ticket now on the Jackpocket lottery app.