Grandma who survived breast cancer wins millions in PA lottery. ‘I was shocked’

Having just completed her last round of radiation treatment, Nicole Walter is ready to start the next chapter of her life.

She’ll begin it millions of dollars richer.

The grandma of 10, who recently survived breast cancer, won the largest internet prize ever from the Pennsylvania Lottery’s Monopoly game.

“I was playing PA Lottery games on my phone, and (my boyfriend) was playing on his phone, and he said, ‘Hey, I like the Monopoly one, let’s try it,’” Walter, 42, told lottery officials in an Aug. 13 news release.

Suddenly, Walter’s phone screen went blank and her life-changing win appeared — $2,021,096,49.

“I was shocked — I didn’t even say anything at first,” she said.

The online Monopoly game features a jackpot prize that begins at $150,000 and keeps growing until there is a winner. The new jackpot as of Aug. 14 is $517,675.18.

Walter, a Warren County native who has played Pennsylvania Lottery games since they launched in 2018, said she enjoys the online games because of their convenience.

“We enjoy it — and this time, it really paid off,” she told lottery officials.

With her winnings, Walter plans to renovate her farmhouse that was sold to her by a friend.

Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko said Walter’s win is a reminder “that life can change in an instant.”

Warren County is about a 140-mile drive northeast from Pittsburgh.

This story was originally published August 14, 2025 at 8:15 AM with the headline "Grandma who survived breast cancer wins millions in PA lottery. ‘I was shocked’."