The Edmonton resident said she really only plays Lotto Max whenever Maxmillions are available because she hopes to win one of the $1 million prizes.
"I don't buy tickets too often," she explained. "But I've always liked the idea of winning a million dollars."
Well, now she's got a couple of million dollars after buying a winning ticket to split the $70 million and take home $35 million!
"When I checked my numbers and realized they matched the main draw numbers, I said, 'Oh, that's nice,'" Bowes revealed. "I don't think the enormity of the amount has hit me yet."
Ruth Bowes with a $35 million cheque.Courtesy of Western Canada Lottery Corporation
Bowes initially thought she had won the entire $70 million jackpot that was available in the July 25 draw and so she told her husband about the windfall.
Then, she noticed that the jackpot was actually won by two tickets and the second winning ticket was purchased in B.C.
"After I noticed it was a split prize, I went to my husband and said, 'I have some bad news... I only won $35 million,'" she said. "We had a little laugh after that."
Bowes already has plans for splurging now that she's a multimillionaire, upgrading the seats she and her husband booked to get to Greece for a Mediterranean cruise because her husband "has always wanted to travel first-class."
The couple also wants to renovate their kitchen and do some upgrades around the house.
Bowes split the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot from the draw on July 25 with Kamloops, B.C. resident Rhonda Malesku who is also a Lotto Max winner because she purchased a ticket with the same winning numbers.
Rhonda Malesku who split the $70 million jackpot with Ruth Bowes.BCLC
"I let out a huge scream and kept saying, 'I won $35 million dollars!' I opened up the back door and started screaming it outside to my husband Sam and we both started shaking," Malesku said back in July.
"I was shouting so loud with excitement that the neighbours came out of their houses because they thought something was wrong," the Lotto Max winner continued.
Malesku said she plans to design her dream home and set up her family with the $35 million.
The Lotto Max winning numbers for the July 25 draw that scored Bowes and Malesku the jackpot were 15, 16, 17, 18, 43, 44 and 48.
If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, refer to these helplines across Canada. Support is available.
