A €209 160 441 Italian lottery jackpot won by a truck driver in 2019 has sparked a legal battle between his first ex-wife and his second wife, according to the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero. Following the sudden death of the 49-year-old winner in June 2026, his former spouse is seeking hereditary maintenance from his estate through the courts.
The 2019 SuperEnalotto Jackpot in Lodi
The story began on August 13, 2019, in Lodi, Lombardy, when a record jackpot of €209,160,441 was hit. According to Il Messaggero, the winning ticket was generated automatically using a quick-pick combination costing just €2. This remains the largest single-ticket win in the history of the game.
The winner remained anonymous for 56 days before contacting the lottery operator Sisal through a bank just a month before the statutory deadline. Public speculation had ranged from a lost ticket to the winner’s death. The fortunate player was ultimately identified as a 49-year-old truck driver from Padova who bought the slip during a work trip.
Financial Shifts and Subsequent Marriages
The windfall immediately transformed the driver’s life. He quit his job, relocated, bought a new car, and invested part of the money, according to Il Messaggero. Shortly after, he divorced his first wife—a cleaner from the Varese area—who received a monthly alimony of €6,300 as part of their settlement.
The former truck driver later met a 37-year-old woman from Chieti, and the couple married in July 2025. On June 28, 2026, the winner died suddenly. Having no children, parents, or siblings, he left his entire estate to his second wife.
Legal Claims Over Inheritance Alimony
The death of the lottery winner halted the monthly maintenance payments to his first ex-wife. Represented by legal counsel, she now plans to petition the court for “hereditary maintenance,” a legal provision under Italian law that allows alimony to continue after the death of a former spouse by drawing directly from the estate. Her lawyers estimate this claim could reach roughly €5,000 per month.
Granting this request is not automatic under Italian legislation. Magistrates must evaluate whether the former spouse is in genuine financial need, review the assets left by the deceased, and assess the financial standing of the sole heir. A 2025 ruling by the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation affirmed that receiving alimony during the deceased’s lifetime does not automatically guarantee post-mortem payments without explicit proof of financial need.
Lottery Records and Taxation in Italy
While the €209 160 441 prize was a record at the time, it was surpassed in February 2023 by a €371,133,424 jackpot won through a large group system where numerous participants shared a single pool, according to Il Messaggero. Because that later record was split among dozens of players, the €209 160 441 prize from Lodi retains its status as the largest individual win from a single ticket.
Out of the 2019 Lodi jackpot, a portion went directly to state tax authorities in accordance with Italian lottery regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the €209 160 441 lottery in Italy?
The record 2019 SuperEnalotto jackpot was won by a 49-year-old truck driver from Padova who purchased a €2 quick-pick ticket in Lodi.
Why is the first wife suing the estate?
Following the winner’s sudden death in June 2026, his monthly alimony payments stopped. Her lawyers are petitioning the court for hereditary maintenance from the estate.
Is post-mortem alimony automatic in Italy?
No. According to Italian court rulings, receiving alimony while a former spouse is alive does not guarantee continued payments after death unless actual financial need is proven in court.
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