Maryland Woman Wins $1 Million Lottery Prize on Her Late Mother’s Birthday
A Maryland woman started the new year with more than just fresh resolutions — she became a millionaire, and the timing felt deeply personal.
Rosedale resident Karen L. won a $1 million top prize in the Maryland Lottery Holiday Raffle, thanks to a winning number that matched her late mother’s birthday. The drawing took place on January 2, a date Karen says immediately caught her attention once she realized she’d won.
“I think it’s my mom again,” Karen said with a smile. “She’s helping me with my retirement.”
Interestingly, Karen didn’t even check her ticket right away. She scanned it on January 5 using the lottery app and saw a short message that made her pause: “Go to Lottery.” At first, she assumed it meant a $100,000 prize — still exciting, but not life-changing.
That changed quickly when she brought the ticket to a store to double-check.
“She looked at me and said, ‘It’s you. I know it’s you,’” Karen recalled.
The screen confirmed it: a seven-figure win.
Karen typically sticks to a modest lottery budget, playing games like Powerball, Mega Millions, and scratch-offs. This time, she decided to treat herself to a $20 Holiday Raffle ticket — a choice that paid off in a big way.
What’s next for the winnings?
-
Buying a new car
-
Making home upgrades
-
Strengthening her savings
“It still hasn’t fully sunk in,” she said.
The winning ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven in Pikesville, and the Holiday Raffle itself ran from early November through January 1, with more than 237,000 tickets sold statewide. One $1 million prize and ten $100,000 prizes were awarded.
