Woman wins 32-million-dollar jackpot after husband laid off

Sep 23, 2009, 16:26 GMT

San Francisco - A California woman compensated for her husband's recent lay-off by landing the 32-million-dollar winning ticket in the California lottery, according to local station KGO Wednesday.

Michele Dickerson announced her win at a press conference a day earlier after which the conscientious credit union employee returned to work.

Dickerson, in her early 40s, said she had opted to take her winnings in a lump sum payment that will amount to almost 15 million dollars after taxes. She said she plans to use the money to buy a new house, take her large extended family on vacation and maybe start her own business.

Dickerson said that her husband was laid off from work in July and that she empathized with others who have been impacted by the global recession.

'I think that's why I cried more than I was joyous yesterday, at first,' she said. 'I know it is most definitely a blessing. I'm extremely thankful.'