The dreams of winning big money in a lottery capture the imagination of millions. Texas has had its fair share of winners and life-changing stories. The Lone Star State has witnessed numerous folks strike gold and claim staggering amounts of money.

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We're talking about enough money to turn ordinary lives into the extraordinary. An article from The Lotter Texas got me started. I wanted to find the biggest winners of the Texas Lottery I could track down. From humble beginnings to crazy wealth, I found some good ones. Here are some of the wealthiest lottery winners in Texas history.

UNBELIEVABLE: CHECK OUT THE 4 BIGGEST LOTTERY WINNERS IN TEXAS HISTORY

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The Gilliland Family - $177 million (2010)

The Gilliland family from Euless had a life-changing moment in 2010 when they won a whopping $177 million Powerball jackpot. They claimed the prize as the "Rainbow Sherbet Trust," and opted for a lump-sum payment forever changing their financial future. They were able to support various charities and invest in their community. Nicely done.

The McDaniel Family - $31 million (2006)

In 2006, the McDaniel family from Fort Worth won a staggering $31 million in the Mega Millions lottery. Because of their winnings, they were able to retire early and devote their time to philanthropy, contributing to some education and healthcare projects. They alone changed many lives showing that winning the lottery can be about more than just personal gain.

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The Hilburn Family - $47 million (2004)

From Alvin, the Hilburn family experienced a nice little twist of fate in 2004 when they snagged a $47 million Mega Millions prize. Struggling financially before the win, the family used their winnings to pay off debts, support some loved ones, and develop charities dedicated to education and cancer research. Just awesome.

The Willis Family - $66 million (2009)

The Willis family from Houston were blessed with some fantastic luck in 2009 when they won a $66 million Mega Millions jackpot. Blown away by their new wealth, the family gave back to their community by providing financial assistance to local schools and supporting struggling youth.

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These stories prove that winning big money in the lottery can be a life-changing event, not only for those who win but also the communities they live in. This is the spirit of Texas I love. These people have chosen to use their wealth for good, making for a positive impact.

If you think there's huge money to be had in the Texas Lottery, check out things on a national scale. Below are the largest lottery jackpots awarded in the United States.

LOOK: The largest lottery jackpots in US history

Stacker compiled a list of the 15 largest lottery jackpots in U.S. history from news reports and lottery press releases. [This list is current as of July 25, 2023.]

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