Edwin Castro, 31, clinched a historic prize and became an overnight billionaire after winning Powerball Jackpot worth billions that changed his life forever.
Edwin Castro‘s life took a dramatic turn when he purchased the winning ticket from a local gas station last year.
Castro scooped up $3.2 billion ($US2. 04 billion) in a California lottery in 2022 and became an overnight billionaire, adding $1.6 billion ($US997. 6 million) to his account after coming forward to collect the lump sum payment.
Following his win, he has acquired several properties, moves with bodyguards, and has a luxurious car collection.
He was, however, sued by a man who claimed he stole the lottery ticket from him.
Here’s everything we know about Edwin Castro’s net worth, life – before and after, and more.
Who is lottery winner Edwin Castro?
Edwin Castro is a California man who made headlines in 2022 after he won $2 billion playing the Powerball lottery.
He grew up in the Los Angeles area and attended Crescenta Valley High School in La Crescenta, according to TMZ.
During his youth, he was a member of the Boy Scouts, later reaching Eagle Scout status, and also played football and baseball.
Sources told TMZ that after high school, he attended Woodbury University in Burbank, where he studied architecture.
At this time, additional information on Castro’s personal life is unclear.
How much money did Edwin Castro take home?
While Castro might’ve won a $2 billion prize, that is not the number he deposited in his bank account.
He decided to take a lump sum payment, which was a staggering $997.6 million after taxes.
Castro wasted no time spending his newfound millions, splurging $25 million on a lavish 13,578-square-foot property in the Hollywood Hills.
The home has five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a gym, a wine cellar, and a “Batcave-style” entrance.
What is Edwin Castro’s net worth now?
Edwin Castro has an estimated current net worth of $800 million.
Castro is an American citizen, media personality, lottery winner, and entrepreneur from California, United States.
Known for winning a Powerball jackpot which was worth $2.04 billion, he received an astonishing $997.6 million, just short of a billion.
At the moment, he has splashed millions on properties; including houses and cars.
What cars does Edwin Castro own now?
The billionaire’s life has been on display as his million-dollar purchases have made headlines.
Castro has managed to amass quite a collection of cars since he won the record-breaking prize.
In November 2023, he acquired two vintage Porsches; a British racing green 1970s Porsche 356 and a black Porsche 1980s 911, to add to his growing collection of cars.
Images that have popped up show him admiring the two new sets of wheels as he met with the dealers in the driveway of his new home.
He has three vintage Volkswagens.
He also currently owns a white Porsche 911 from the 1980s, a grey Ram 1500 TRX, and three Volkswagen Karmann Ghias, two black and one red.
How many houses does Edwin Castro own?
Castro has been living large since his winnings, and per DailyMail, he now owns three separate mansions in California which are worth $76 million.
In October 2023, the publication reports he bought his newest Bel Air estate for $47 million with seven bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a captivating koi pond, and a grand infinity pool.
His latest home purchase comes with DJ turntables, a champagne tasting room, and a suspended glass walkway.
Upon entering the home, the foyer boasts a giant, swimming pool-sized koi pond with glass walls and an infinity pool. The entire house is wired for fun with even those having a dip in the pool able to feel the beat, making it the perfect place for a party.
The home even comes complete with a bar area, a glass-walled wine cellar, and a huge home theater and screening room.
The bedrooms boast walk-in wardrobes, sitting areas termed ‘relaxation suites’, and large bathtubs – the pinnacle of luxury.
He previously owned a $25m house in the Hollywood Hills. The sprawling 13,500-square-foot hillside estate comes complete with a full outdoor kitchen, gym, wine cellar, and infinity pool.
This luxury edifice has him nearer to Ariana Grande and Jimmy Kimmel as his neighbors.
Another of his new homes is a $4 million mansion, also in the Los Angeles area, which is only 20 miles from his second California complex.
He has a 24/7 security
His new lifestyle also requires 24/7 security.
Castro is reported to have hired three bodyguards, who are experienced with a military background or equivalent skills, who look after him and his property round the clock, according to the New York Post.
Castro hired three guards on a rotation to protect himself and his assets, the outlet reported in April.
TheSun US reports he could be shelling out over $21,000 on his security teams weekly.
While the price of security can vary, it can cost $85 per hour to $125 an hour for one bodyguard, according to security company Global Risk Soulutions, Inc.
He has stayed away from the limelight and is rarely seen in public. Despite keeping a relatively low profile, he was recently spotted grinning from ear to ear as he exited a bank with a thick envelope.
Why was Edwin Castro being sued?
Castro made headlines in May 2023 after it was revealed that he was served legal papers at his $25million home.
The legal papers were from a lawsuit that claimed Carsto stole the winning Powerball ticket, per TheSun.
The suit was first filed in February in Alhambra Superior Court by Jose Rivera, who claimed that he purchased the ticket at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena the day before the November 8, 2022, drawing.
On May 26, Castro’s attorney, David De Paoli, filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that Rivera lied and served the papers to the wrong man.
Instead of serving papers to Castro, Paoli asserted that they were served to his father, Edwin H. Castro.
In an earlier statement California Lottery said: ‘When it comes to the vetting process for big winners, California Lottery has the utmost confidence in its process for doing so.
‘California Lottery remains confident that Edwin Castro is the rightful winner of the $2.04billion prize stemming from the Powerball drawing in November of 2022.’
The case is still ongoing but is only being investigated by police as petty theft because the lottery ticket cost just $10.
California law defines petty theft as the theft of any property with a value of $950 or less.
Those charged with the misdemeanors could face up to six months in county jail, a fine of no more than $1,000, or both.
On June 22, Castro was pictured holding a folder with documents as he arrived at a legal meeting in Los Angeles.