Andrew 'Jack' Whittaker Jr. was an American businessman who became a national celebrity after winning a then-record $314.9 million Powerball jackpot on Christmas Day 2002. Already a successful construction company owner in West Virginia, he pledged to donate a significant portion of his winnings to Christian charities and to help people in his community. However, his life after the lottery was plagued by immense personal tragedies, including multiple deaths in his family, legal troubles, and substantial financial losses. His story became a cautionary tale often cited in discussions about the potential negative consequences of sudden, massive wealth.