Queens Man Won Record-Breaking $476M Mega Millions Jackpot​

QUEENS, NEW YORK — Johnnie Taylor, 71, of Howard Beach—the man who won the record-setting $476 million Mega Millions jackpot in April—says it "still doesn't feel real," according to a news release from the New York State Lottery which shared details of his big win.

It makes sense. Who could wrap their head around the fact they've won the largest Mega Millions prize won in New York State since the game launched in the state in 2002?

According to Taylor, not his wife — who was apparently so skeptical he had to go online to prove to her that the numbers on his ticket matched all the winning numbers: 23-27-41-48-51, with Mega Ball 22.

Taylor is no stranger to buying tickets at Liberty Beer and Convenience in Queens, a convenience store near his local subway station where he ultimately bought the jackpot-winning ticket, lottery officials said. He regularly plays Mega Millions and Powerball quick-pick tickets and adds the multiplier when jackpots rise to $100 million.

Taylor opted to take the cash value of the annuitized prize, a lump sum payment totaling $157,288,402 after required state and federal withholding, according to lottery officials.

Liberty Beer and Convenience, located at 93-18 Liberty Avenue, will receive a $10,000 bonus from the New York Lottery for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.

Taylor recently retired from his job as a building handyman in Manhattan and has grand plans for his future, including buying a new home, replacing his 2012 Prius with a newer model hybrid vehicle, lots of traveling, and donating to his local church, lottery officials said.

“The New York Lottery congratulates Mr. Taylor on winning this historic jackpot, the sales for which brought millions of dollars to New York’s public schools and lottery retailers across the state,” New York State Gaming Commission Chairman Brian O’Dwyer said in the news release.

The ticket sales leading up to the $476 million jackpot brought a significant fiscal impact to New York State’s Aid to Education, Lottery retailers and players, lottery officials said. The jackpot rolled 21 times ahead of the April 14 drawing generating more than $21 million for education, $4.1 million in commissions for retailers, and $10.4 million in non-jackpot winnings for players.

The previous New York State record Mega Millions win was a $437 million jackpot sold in Huntington in 2019.