The winner of the biggest lottery prize ever will soon count Ariana Grande and Jimmy Kimmel as his neighbors after capturing a sprawling $25.5 million Hollywood Hills mansion.
Edwin Castro made headlines after winning the $2.04 billion prize in November – though he has chosen to remain private ever since.
But just a month after receiving his one-time payment, he reports investing in a 13,578-square-foot home on a hill, complete with a full outdoor kitchen, gym, wine cellar, and infinity pool.
It comes after it was revealed that Castro is being sued by a fellow California resident who claims he had the winning ticket and it was stolen from him.
Last month, Castro, who is said to be in his early 30s, finally claimed his $997.6 million after-tax prize.
A $25.5 million Hollywood Hills mansion has been snapped up by record-breaking lottery winner Edwin Castro, who has stayed out of the spotlight since scoring $2.04 billion on Powerball in November
Less than 30 days later, he bought his new lavish house, reports real estate magazine Dirt.
Located behind the iconic Chateau Marmont, the three-story property comes complete with five bedrooms and five bathrooms and powder rooms.
It also features an infinity pool, cinema and sauna, as well as two separate garages that can accommodate up to seven cars.
The toad was first listed in July 2022 for $30 million, but it looks like Castro managed to scrape $4.5 million off the top prize.
Other amenities include a games room and bar, as well as a fitness studio with hot and cold plunge pool, dry sauna and steam shower.
Meanwhile, the double-height glass stairwell offers expansive views of the city, while two fire pits and a built-in barbecue sit outside.
Castro has largely tried to avoid the spotlight after his record win.
California rules dictate that every lottery winner must be named, but he has never been pictured in public.
At the time of the win, lottery director Alva Johnson said Castro wanted to remain private and declined an invitation from lottery officials to attend the press conference.
In a prepared statement, Castro said, “As much as I am shocked and ecstatic to have won the Powerball draw, the real winner is the California public school system.”
California public schools act as beneficiaries of the state lottery.
It means the education system received more than $156 million as a result of the record profit.
Castro did not appear at the event, but released a statement saying he was “shocked” and “ecstatic”
California Lottery Director Alva Johnson Announces Edwin Castro Hit Record High $2.04 Billion PowerBall Jackpot in November
“The California Lottery’s mission, which is to provide supplemental funding for public education in California, both public schools and colleges, makes this a huge win for the state,” Castro said.
“As someone who received the reward of being educated in California’s public education system, it is gratifying to learn that as a result of my win, the California school system is also benefiting greatly,” the statement concluded.
But his story has been mired in controversy after Jose Rivera, a California resident, claimed the winning ticket was actually his.
Rivera sues Castro for damages and asks to be declared the historic jackpot winner.
Rivera said he bought the ticket on Nov. 7 from Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, but it was stolen the same day.
Rivera claims that a man named ‘Reggie’ took the ticket and that after the numbers were drawn, he unsuccessfully tried to get the winning ticket back.
California Lottery Deputy Director Carolyn Becker announced Castro’s name in November
The winning ticket was sold at Joe Service Center in Altadena, California
It is alleged that Reggie told Rivera that the ticket was a dud, but that if it turned out to be a winner, he would give up half of the winnings.
Rivera said he “refused to be blackmailed” and reported the theft to the CA Lottery and the police.
Castro and Reggie have both been named as two separate defendants.
He is asking the court for damages and to declare him the winner of the historic $2.04 billion jackpot.
A gas station employee told Dailymail.com last month that Rivera was “crazy” to continue the business.
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