A woman who was formerly homeless was already having a good year – then she hit the jackpot winning $5 million in the lottery

• A woman who was previously homeless won $5 million in the California lottery.
• Lucia Forseth bought a Scratchers when getting her oil changed at a Walmart.

A woman who was once homeless went to a Walmart Supercenter to get an oil change for her car. In a stroke of luck, she bought a winning Scratchers lottery ticket at the store.

Lucia Forseth won $5 million after buying the scratch-off ticket in Pittsburgh, California, the California Lottery announced Wednesday.

"I only bought one ticket," Forseth said, according to a press release. "I closed my eyes and picked that one, and it won!"

At first, Forseth thought she had only won another free ticket but realized that she had become a multi-millionaire.

Forseth said she was homeless in 2017 — and while she is no longer unhoused, she noted that 2023 was an auspicious year.

"Six years ago, I was homeless. This year I am getting married, getting my associate degree, and won $5 million," she said.

"You never think you have a chance to win it. It is just random. Being homeless just six years ago, I never thought it would happen to someone like me."

The odds of winning the Scratchers game are 1 in 3,088,854, CNN reported.

Forseth said she plans to buy a house with her winnings and invest the rest.

"Hearing a success story like this showcases the positive impact our games have on winners and schools alike," Carolyn Becker, California Lottery spokesperson, said in a statement.