Who is Edwin Castro? Inside the Life of America’s $2.04 Billion Powerball Winner

Edwin Castro, a resident of Altadena, California, made history on November 7, 2022, after winning a record-breaking $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot—the largest lottery prize ever awarded in the United States.

Castro officially claimed his prize nearly three months later on February 14, 2023. Although he appeared at the California Lottery headquarters on Valentine’s Day, he chose not to appear on camera or pose for photographs, maintaining a low public profile despite the unprecedented win.

Since then, Castro has become an overnight multimillionaire and a figure of widespread public interest. Media reports have closely followed how he has spent portions of his fortune, including purchases of luxury real estate, high-end vehicles, and land investments across California.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal published on October 12, 2025, Castro revealed that he spent $10 million acquiring 15 parcels of land in his hometown of Altadena following devastating California wildfires earlier that year. He also shared details of a long-term, 10-year real estate vision tied to rebuilding efforts.

Castro was personally affected by the wildfires. One of his multimillion-dollar properties—a beachfront home in Malibu purchased in September 2023 for $3.85 million—was completely destroyed during the Palisades wildfire in January 2025. Satellite imagery confirmed the home was among the properties lost as nearly 24,000 acres burned, according to CAL FIRE.

Who is Edwin Castro?

Edwin Castro is the sole winner of the $2.04 billion Powerball drawing held on November 7, 2022. According to the California Lottery, he purchased the winning ticket at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, matching all five numbers plus the Powerball. Castro opted for the lump-sum payout, receiving $997.6 million before taxes.

Due to California’s public disclosure laws, Castro’s identity and the location of the ticket sale were made public. Other states, such as Florida, allow winners to claim prizes through trusts or LLCs.

By October 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported that Castro ultimately walked away with approximately $768 million after taxes.

How Edwin Castro Spent His Powerball Fortune

Shortly after claiming his prize, Castro began investing heavily in real estate. On March 1, 2023, he purchased a $25.5 million mansion in the Hollywood Hills, known as “Palazzo di Vista.” The 13,500-square-foot estate features five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a wine cellar, movie theater, spa, fitness studio, infinity pool, and a seven-car garage.

Just days later, on March 9, 2023, Castro reportedly bought a $4 million Japanese-style home in Altadena with views of the San Gabriel Mountains. The property includes five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a swimming pool, and a private movie theater. He also purchased a vintage white Porsche valued at approximately $250,000.

Wildfires and Property Loss

According to the Los Angeles Times, Castro’s Malibu beachfront home—acquired through an LLC—was destroyed during the Palisades wildfire. While his Hollywood Hills and Altadena homes were placed under evacuation orders, they did not suffer major damage.

CAL FIRE confirmed that the Palisades wildfire was among the most destructive in the region, prompting widespread evacuations and property losses.

Is Edwin Castro a Billionaire?

Despite winning a $2.04 billion jackpot, Castro narrowly missed becoming a billionaire. After choosing the lump sum and accounting for taxes, he fell short of the billion-dollar mark by less than $3 million. As of December 23, 2025, he still holds the record for the largest Powerball jackpot in U.S. history.

Reports also indicate that Castro maintains a full-time security team. Meanwhile, Joe’s Service Center—where the winning ticket was sold—has become a minor tourist attraction, with visitors reportedly touching the storefront for good luck.

In addition to Castro’s win, Powerball officials confirmed that 22 other tickets across 16 states matched five numbers and won $1 million each in the historic drawing.