What Ever Happened to Lottery Winner Curtis Sharp?
Remember Curtis Sharp who won $5 million in the lottery in 1982? He was known for the bowler style hat he always wore. His estranged wife and girlfriend both accompanied him to pick up the winnings. The NJ resident became one of the most famous lottery winners in the nation. He played himself in lottery commercials and posed for photos with celebrities.
By 1983 Sharp was in the headlines for being financially overextended. He opted to receive his winnings over a twenty year period and his debts exceeded those funds. He was an extravagant spender and also made several bad investments. He said one bogus investment fund led to the IRS seizing his lottery checks.
Today Sharp, 71, is a minister in a Baptist church not far from his home in Tennessee. After winning the lottery he kept his job at Bell Laboratories for another eight years. Today he lives off that pension and Social Security.
Curtis Sharp says he enjoyed the money while it lasted. His advice for lottery winners is to get a good financial planner and a good lawyer. He also said to take a vacation while you clear your head.
By 1983 Sharp was in the headlines for being financially overextended. He opted to receive his winnings over a twenty year period and his debts exceeded those funds. He was an extravagant spender and also made several bad investments. He said one bogus investment fund led to the IRS seizing his lottery checks.
Today Sharp, 71, is a minister in a Baptist church not far from his home in Tennessee. After winning the lottery he kept his job at Bell Laboratories for another eight years. Today he lives off that pension and Social Security.
Curtis Sharp says he enjoyed the money while it lasted. His advice for lottery winners is to get a good financial planner and a good lawyer. He also said to take a vacation while you clear your head.
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