World’s biggest lottery winner Edwin Castro unrecognisable in throwback pic years before scooping $2billion jackpot
EDWIN Castro’s world was turned upside down after winning a whopping $2billion in a historical lottery draw.
Now, throwback photos of the newly minted billionaire have shown the winner in his scout regalia years before he won the jackpot.
The photo shows Edwin as a young boy in his Boy Scout uniform, decorated with badges and smiling.
Young Edwin is donning a buzz cut – a far cry from his current looks of long black hair often tied back into a ponytail.
Friends formerly described Edwin to TMZ as “a quiet guy with a kind heart”.
He’s now all grown up, and at only 30, has bought two multimillion dollar homes with incredible features.
After winning the draw in November, Edwin opted to take a one-off lump sum rather than the staggered payments.
It turned him into a billionaire overnight – with a net worth higher than celebs such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Madonna and Tom Cruise.
As well as his fancy new car – he has also bought two multimillion dollar properties in California.
One was a $25.5 million estate in Hollywood Hills – which has a game room, wine cellar, gym, infinity pool and a spa.
It has five bedroom and seven bathrooms with 13,500 square feet of living space.
And the other was a $4 million mansion with views of the San Gabriel Mountains.
The 1953 home is Japanese style, with five bedrooms and four bathrooms.
It has a saltwater pool, a cinema and a massive garage for more than a dozen flash cars – including his gorgeous vintage white Porsche.
He is reported to have employed three bodyguards who look after him round the clock.
Since his massive win, Edwin has not done any interviews – but did gave a statement via Powerball praising it’s initiative for schools.
He said: “As much as I am shocked and ecstatic to have won the Powerball drawing, the real winner is the California public school system.
“As someone who received the rewards of being educated in the California public education system, it’s gratifying to hear that, as a result of my win, the California school system greatly benefits as well.”
His winnings haven’t been completely smooth – he’s being sued by a man who claims Edwin stole his lottery ticket.
According to legal documents obtained by TMZ Jose Rivera also bought a ticket from the same store on November 7.
Despite the allegations, California Lottery officials remain confident that Castro is the “rightful winner” of the massive prize.