01/27/2026
Michael Carroll, a British garbage collector, won the UK National Lottery in 2002 at the age of 19, receiving about £9.7 million (around $12.7 million). At the time, he worked as a binman in Norfolk and quickly became famous in the British media, earning the nickname “The Lotto Lout.”
Following his win, Carroll spent heavily on luxury cars, parties, property, and an extravagant lifestyle. Over the years, poor financial decisions and lack of long-term planning led to the loss of most of his fortune. By around 2010, roughly eight years after his win, Carroll confirmed that he had spent nearly all the money.
After losing his wealth, he returned to manual work, including jobs similar to his previous employment, and stated publicly that he preferred a quieter life. His story is often cited as a real example of how sudden wealth can disappear without financial guidance.
