California just dropped a lottery bombshell that reverberated across the entire continent! Rosemary Casarotti, a name you probably hadn’t heard before, is now etched into American history as the lucky lady who scooped up a mind-blowing $1.2 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December 2024. Yes, you read that right: $1.2 BILLION. After months of “who is it?!” speculation, Rosemary finally stepped out into the spotlight in March 2025.
The golden ticket was sold at a Circle K convenience store in Cottonwood, a town in Northern California. It just goes to show you fortune doesn’t care if you’re in a big city or a tiny dot on the map; it can strike anywhere, even when you’re just popping in for gas and a pack of gum. That Circle K probably felt like it won the lottery, too, bagging a hefty bonus for selling the winning ticket.
Now, unlike those winners who vanish into thin air, Rosemary Casarotti decided to embrace her newfound fame. She showed up at the California Lottery press conference in March 2025, all gracious and thankful, promising to be smart with her dough. She even admitted checking her numbers three times, convinced the app was broken. She’s got plans to help out local causes, get her grandkids through school, and finally take that dream trip to Italy to connect with her heritage. Talk about living the good life!
Mega Millions Jackpot
Of course, the big question was: lump sum or annuity? Rosemary went for the lump sum, which translated to a still-insane $628.5 million before taxes. While the annuity would have stretched out that $1.2 billion over 30 years, who wants to wait when you can have a giant pile of cash right now? The California Lottery made sure she got all the financial and counseling support she needed, because suddenly being a billionaire probably messes with your head a little. Experts are always shouting about budgeting and investing, but honestly, with that much money, “budgeting” probably means “deciding which island to buy first.
So, there you have it: Rosemary Casarotti’s $1.2 billion Mega Millions jackpot win is more than just a big number. It just goes to show that even in the biggest games, the grandest prizes can land in the most unassuming hands.