Rosemary Casarotti made history after matching all six numbers in the December 27, 2024 Mega Millions drawing to claim a massive $1.22 billion jackpot, the largest Mega Millions prize ever won in California. She purchased her lucky ticket at the Sunshine Food and Gas Circle K in Cottonwood, Shasta County.
The California Lottery officially announced Casarotti as the sole winner on March 17, 2025. Opting for the single, upfront lump-sum cash payout, she received approximately $571 million before federal tax withholdings, benefitting from California’s state policy of not taxing lottery winnings. For selling the top-prize ticket, the Circle K store received a $1 million bonus, while ticket sales throughout the multi-month jackpot run raised an estimated $89.5 million for California’s public school system.
Although state law mandates that the identities of major lottery winners must be disclosed to the public, Casarotti actively chose to maintain a low profile. She respectfully declined to attend the lottery’s official press conference or participate in media interviews, conveying through lottery officials that she wished to keep her personal life private while expressing deep gratitude for the win and the resulting support for public education.