Cheng “Charlie” Saephan, a 46-year-old Laotian immigrant in Portland, Oregon, won a $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot on Monday.
Saephan, who has been battling cancer for eight years, shared the news during a press conference. He announced plans to split the prize equally with his wife, Duanpen, 37, and a close friend, 55-year-old Laiza Chao, who contributed $100 toward purchasing the tickets.
NBC News reported that the trio opted for a lump sum payment of $422 million after taxes. “I will be able to provide for my family and my health,” Saephan remarked, expressing his intention to seek better medical care with the newfound resources.
Born in Laos, Saephan moved to Thailand in 1987 and immigrated to the United States in 1994. He has been a Portland resident for 30 years, working as a machinist for an aerospace company. Saephan graduated from high school in 1996.
At the press conference, Saephan proudly wore a sash indicating his heritage as an Iu Mien, an ethnic group from Southeast Asia with southern Chinese origins. The Iu Mien community has a substantial presence along the West Coast, particularly in Portland.
Before announcing the winner, the Oregon Lottery completed a thorough security and vetting process. The $1.3 billion prize, subject to federal and Oregon state taxes, ranks as the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot in history. The record for the largest U.S. lottery jackpot stands at $2.04 billion, won in California in 2022.
