The saying “money can’t buy happiness” rings tragically true for an Irish woman whose life spiraled into despair after winning a massive lottery jackpot ten years ago.
Margaret Loughrey’s tale is a stark reminder of how fortune can sometimes be a double-edged sword. At 48, Margaret’s life in the past decade has been anything but peaceful. Struggling to make ends meet on a meager €60 a week, her fortune seemed to take a dramatic turn for the better in 2013 when she won €30 million (around £27 million) in the EuroMillions lottery. It seemed like the windfall one could only dream of, a chance to start anew with financial security at last.
However, her family had reservations about this newfound wealth, concerns that would prove to be well-founded.
“If There’s a Hell, I’ve Been There”
Margaret’s relationship with her family deteriorated rapidly post-win. She cut off all contact with her parents and four siblings. “I was the first to be told to leave. It was heartbreaking. She wanted nothing to do with us but still gave us money. It makes no sense, right? But she made sure we were all looked after,” her brother Paul told the Daily Mail.
Isolation took a toll on her mental health. Just four months after her EuroMillions win, Margaret was admitted to a psychiatric hospital due to concerns for her safety and others’. Her release from the hospital in 2015 didn’t herald a new beginning; things only got worse.
She first faced a sentence of 150 hours of community service for damaging a taxi driver’s GPS and glasses. Later, she was ordered to pay €30,000 to an employee she had fired without cause.
Throughout her trials, Margaret voiced that the lottery winnings had been a curse rather than a blessing. “The money brought me nothing but grief. It ruined my life. I’ve experienced it for six years. I don’t believe in religion, but if there’s a hell, I’ve been there. Having €27 million and being alone is pointless,” she revealed to a British media outlet.
In September 2021, Margaret was found deceased in her bungalow, where she resided while waiting to move into her dream home, then under construction. Her death deeply moved the small community of Strabane. Despite her struggles, Margaret was known for her generosity, regularly donating to her neighbors and funding the construction of facilities for children and the disabled.
Margaret Loughrey’s story is a poignant example of how life can sometimes feel heavier with the weight of gold in one’s hands, highlighting the complex relationship between wealth and happiness.
