'I was too young': Teen lotto winner driven to depression by $3m win
Britain’s youngest ever lotto winner has revealed her $3.3 million (£1.9m) win left her depressed, but after blowing the jackpot on a fast lifestyle, the working mum is happier than ever.
Callie Rogers scooped the jackpot at the tender age of 16 back in 2003 and quickly splashed the cash on luxury holidays, boob jobs, expensive clothes and “gifts” to friends and family, leaving her penniless. Players within the UK can purchase lotto tickets or scratch cards from the age of 16.
But 15 years on from her win, the now 31-year-old mum-of-three has admitted the huge sum of money was far too much for someone too young.
Speaking in an interview with Closer magazine, she revealed: “It was too much money for someone so young. Even if you say your life won’t change, it does and often not for the better.”
Despite only having just over $3000 left in the bank, Ms Rogers said she’s happier with her life now – taking care of her three children, Kian, Debony and Blake and working as a carer.
She was earning $6.30 an hour as a checkout girl in Cockermouth, Cumbria, when her numbers came up on June, 28, 2003.
Growing up quickly took its toll
Ms Rogers admitted “everything seemed to move at a million miles an hour” after her win, and soon bought herself a house and places for her mum and foster parents. But soon she began to struggle with life on her own at just 16.
Finding herself with no regular routine, she fell into a life of partying with so-called “friends.” It was there she met boyfriend Nicky Lawson in August 2003, but life with him brought more partying.
Two years later, the pair had their first child, Kian. Ms Rogers recalled: “He wasn’t planned – and I didn’t feel ready to be a mum. But Nicky and I decided to go ahead.”
Ms Rogers explained the pressure of growing up quickly took its toll on her self-esteem and she grew increasingly depressed.
In November 2005, she tried to commit suicide. She said: “I felt guilty, like I shouldn’t be unhappy when I was so rich.”
She described making countless “friends” whom she later realised were just using her for money, and the experience has led to her having trust issues.
She had daughter Debony in 2007, but her relationship was rocky and she split up with Ms Lawson around a year later.
But before long Ms Rogers noticed her bank balance was starting to dwindle.
“The money felt like a pressure by then – I felt I had to be living the high life constantly, and others expected handouts. I just wanted to be normal.”
She struggled with depression until she met Paul Penny in 2010.
“Paul had no idea who I was or that I was ever a millionaire. I didn’t tell him – after a while, he found out from mates, but he fell for me, not the money,” she said.
Life hasn’t been easy for the couple – in September 2011, she fell pregnant with twins but, tragically, one of the twins, Mason, was delivered stillborn.
Broke, but happier than ever
Despite the heartbreak, Ms Rogers admits she’s now truly happy for the first time since her lottery win.
“My life revolves around the kids and, if they want something expensive, they wait for birthdays and Christmas. I’m glad they’ll grow up knowing the value of money,” she said.
“I was too young to win the lottery – I don’t think 16 year olds should be eligible. It nearly broke me, but thankfully, I’m now stronger than ever.”
