Michigan couple with 21 grandchildren claims $80M Powerball

Associated Press
Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019 1:07 p.m. | Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019 1:07 p.m.

Michigan State Lottery

Brian O. Neil Commissioner of the Michigan Lottery, left, with Dawn Chippewa and Phillip Chippewa. The northern Michigan couple with seven children and 21 grandchildren has claimed an $80 million Powerball prize. Phillip Chippewa of Suttons Bay traveled to Lansing with his wife and their big family to claim their prize. A ticket Chippewa purchased matched all five numbers and the Powerball in the Sept. 21 drawing.

LANSING, Mich. — A northern Michigan couple with seven children and 21 grandchildren has claimed an $80 million Powerball prize.

Fifty-four-year-old Phillip Chippewa of Suttons Bay traveled to Lansing on Wednesday with his wife, Dawn, and their family to claim their prize.

Their Powerball ticket matched all five numbers and the Powerball in the Sept. 21 drawing. The couple opted to receive their payment as a one-time lump-sum, which came to $42 million after taxes.

Chippewa says he now has all the money he’ll ever need to help his family for generations. The couple’s plans for their winnings include buying homes for each of their children.

They’re both members of and work for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. They plan to keep working for now.