Rhonda Melesku of Kamloops won $35 million in the Lott Max draw (Photo credit: BC Lotteries)

By Pete McIntyre

Lotto max

‘I opened the back door and started screaming’: Lottery winner excited at $35M jackpot

Jul 27, 2023 | 2:20 PM

The winner of a $35 million lottery jackpot is planning to design not just one, but three dream homes.

One will be for Rhonda Malesku herself, while the other two will be for her son and daughter.

The Kamloops resident received her life-changing cheque from the BC Lottery Corp. on Thursday, July 27, just a couple days after splitting the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot with another ticket holder in Alberta.

“I’ve always dreamed of being able to design my dream home and also set my family up, so now I can do both,” Malesku said.

Lottery winner Rhonda Malesku and family members (Photo credit: BCLC)

Health and Social Transfer Payments

B.C. to receive nearly $10B in Federal Transfers

Dec 24, 2024

Year in Review

Local MP reflects on bill passed in 2024, but also struggles Canadians faced

Dec 24, 2024

Drugs, Loaded Handgun Found in Stolen Car

Kelowna RCMP seize firearm, weapon in stolen vehicle

Dec 23, 2024

Malesku was at home when she discovered she had won the morning after the draw. Upon checking the winning numbers online, her reaction shocked her husband, who was in the backyard doing yard work at the time.

“I let out a huge scream and kept saying, ‘I won $35 million dollars!” I opened up the back door and started screaming it outside to my husband Sam and we both started shaking!” I was shouting so loud with excitement that the neighbors came out of their houses because they thought something was wrong.”

Malesku then called her daughter, who was getting ready for work at the time.

“I called my daughter and started screaming it all over again to her. She immediately dropped everything and came over. We couldn’t even get ready this morning because we were vibrating with excitement and had to help each other put on our makeup.”

Malesku, who considers family the most important thing in life, can’t wait to build her son and daughter their dream homes in addition to her own, and will gift some to other family members as well. She also plans to purchase a travel trailer and a truck to tow it with and looks forward to travelling to the east coast with her loved ones.

“I’m just absolutely blown away,” she added.

Malesku, who was born and raised in Kamloops, purchased the ticket at Walmart on Hillside Drive while shopping for beach towels.