At 17, most of us were worrying about exams, summer jobs, or whether we’d ever master eyeliner. Jane Park, however, was busy becoming the youngest ever winner of the EuroMillions. Overnight, the teenager from Edinburgh pocketed £1 million — a windfall that promised freedom, glamour and the kind of security most people only dream of. A decade on, at 27, Jane looks back on her big win with regret, calling it more of a curse than a blessing.
“I wish I’d never won”
Appearing recently on American talk show Dr Phil, Jane admitted bluntly: “I wish I’d never won the lottery. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.” The programme, aptly titled The Curse of the Lottery, explored the darker side of sudden wealth — from estranged families to reckless spending sprees.
For Jane, the dream soured quickly. At an age when many of her peers were saving for their first car or juggling student loans, she was thrust into a world of fame, scrutiny and expectation. Instead of security, she says the money left her vulnerable. “You get stalkers, you get death threats,” she told the audience. “People think you owe them something.”
From millionaire to influencer
Winning that kind of money at 17 would test anyone’s judgement, and Jane’s spending habits were soon making headlines. She embraced the influencer lifestyle and reportedly splashed more than £50,000 on cosmetic surgery — a decision she admits nearly cost her life. In one interview, she recalled a terrifying reaction to anaesthesia before an operation, saying: “I genuinely thought I was going to die.”
The thrill of luxury shopping, expensive holidays and a high-profile social media presence came with hidden costs. The wealth that was meant to bring joy instead fed insecurities and exposed her to relentless public criticism.
The heavy price of easy money
Jane’s story isn’t unique. Psychologists often warn that sudden financial windfalls, particularly at a young age, can bring more stress than stability. The UK-based charity GambleAware notes that easy money can distort decision-making, making risky choices seem harmless. For Jane, the fortune opened doors to opportunities she might never have had — but also pushed her down paths she now deeply regrets.
Today, her testimony divides opinion. While some sympathise with her experience, others argue that she bears responsibility for her own choices. Social media commenters in particular have been harsh, suggesting she squandered an opportunity others would treasure.
A cautionary tale
What Jane’s story highlights is that money, especially sudden money, doesn’t guarantee happiness. In fact, it often magnifies existing challenges. At 17, it’s hard to imagine anyone having the maturity to manage a life-changing fortune responsibly.
A decade on, Jane Park stands as both a symbol of luck and a reminder of its pitfalls. Her win was supposed to set her up for life — instead, she says, it derailed it. As she put it herself, wealth brought isolation, pressure and a constant spotlight.
The moral? Winning the lottery might sound like a dream come true, but as Jane warns, sometimes that dream can turn out to be a nightmare in designer clothing.
