$1.27 Billion Mega Millions Winner Identified

COTTONWOOD, CA — California Lottery officials on Monday identified the woman who won the $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December as Rosemary Casarotti.

Casarotti bought the lucky ticket from Sunshine Food and Gas Circle K on Rhonda Road in Cottonwood in Shasta County, according to the lottery.

The ticket won the Dec. 27 drawing with the numbers 3, 7, 37, 49, 55 and, on the Mega Ball, 6. The jackpot was the largest Mega Millions win in California history.

“We offer Rosemary our heartfelt congratulations for her historic win and our gratitude for her part in supporting the California Lottery’s mission to provide extra money for public education in our state,” California Lottery Director Harjinder Shergill Chima said in a news release. “Because of this historic jackpot win, the California Lottery was able to raise an estimated $89.5 million for public schools.”

Casarotti chose to receive her prize as a lump sum, valued at more than $571 million, according to the lottery. Circle K also received a $1 million bonus for selling the winning ticket.

“It’s an amazing feeling to know that our store played a part in making Lottery history,” Ishar Gill, whose family owns the Circle K where the ticket was sold, said at a news conference Monday, according to the release.