How This Waitress' Life Turned Upside Down After $10 Million Lottery Win

A Waffle House waitress named Tonda Dickerson in Florida found herself at the centre of fortune and misfortune, years ago. Little did she know then that her $10 million (Over Rs 83 crore) lottery win would not only change her life but also become a cautionary tale for the ages, courtesy of the internet’s infinite wisdom.

It all began when a generous customer named Edward Seward tipped Tonda with a lottery ticket he had purchased in the Sunshine State. Lo and behold, the numbers aligned, and Tonda became the unexpected winner of a whopping $10 million. Cue the confetti, right? Wrong.

As Tonda’s story resurfaced on the internet, armchair philosophers chimed in with their two cents. “If I won a lottery, I won’t breathe a word of it to anyone,” declared one sage user.

Another warned, “This is why you should never announce when you win a lottery.”

A user suggested, “If you win the lottery keep your mouth shut…. talk to an attorney and see if there is any way to stay anonymous in your state. In some states amounts over a certain amount can be anonymous if you choose.. and often even if they can’t you can open a trust and the proceeds go to the trust and no person’s name is released…. Out of sight out of mind.”

The internet’s counsel might have saved Tonda from the rollercoaster of legal battles that awaited her.

For the unversed, what happened was that when Dickerson won a lottery, she opted for a 30-year payout plan rather than a lump sum, but she soon found herself at odds with colleagues who claimed they had a pre-existing agreement to split any winnings. In the end, Alabama law ruled in Tonda’s favour, stating that contracts related to gambling are not enforceable.

But the drama didn’t end there. Tonda’s generosity toward her family, coupled with creative tax manoeuvres, caught the attention of the IRS. A bill of $771,570 for unpaid federal taxes arrived like an unwelcome guest at a party. Tonda’s journey through the legal labyrinth involved disputes over gift taxes, alleged contracts between family members and a decade-long battle with the IRS.

In the grand finale, Tonda Dickerson, having given most of her jackpot to her family to set up a business, stood victorious. The court ruled in her favour against the IRS, and Tonda emerged from the legal quagmire with a lesson learned and a family business to show for it.

So, what can we glean from Tonda’s journey? Perhaps the internet’s advice holds some truth: in the game of life, it might be wise to play your cards close to the chest, consult legal experts and, most importantly, heed the lessons of those who have ventured into the unpredictable world of sudden wealth.