Joe and Jess Thwaite, a married couple from Gloucester, Gloucestershire, entered the record books after winning a staggering £184,262,899.10 in the EuroMillions draw on May 10, 2022. At the time of their win, the historic payout marked the largest UK National Lottery jackpot ever claimed, instantly elevating them to a net worth higher than stars like Adele and Ed Sheeran. Joe, a 49-year-old communications sales engineer, purchased the winning ticket (a standard Lucky Dip) through the official National Lottery app shortly before the draw closed.
Joe discovered the life-changing news early the next morning when he opened his lottery app in bed. Unwilling to startle his wife, 44-year-old hairdressing salon manager Jess, he waited patiently until her alarm went off before whispering that he had a “secret” to tell her. Her initial reaction was disbelief, warning him “don’t be stupid” before checking the account herself. The couple decided to go public with their identity at a press conference in Cheltenham a week later, explaining that keeping such a massive fortune a secret would put an undue burden of secrecy on their loved ones.
With their immediate financial worries erased, Joe retired from his job to focus on family life, while Jess planned to step back gradually from her business. The parents of primary-aged children used their fortune to repair their home, buy a horse box for their ponies, travel the world, and ensure lifelong financial security for their extended family. They also went on to establish a private investment fund to channel a portion of their wealth into supporting growing businesses across the UK.