The winner of the biggest lottery prize of all time will soon count Ariana Grande and Jimmy Kimmel among his neighbors after snapping up a sprawling $25.5 million mansion in Hollywood Hills.
Edwin Castro made headlines after winning the $2.04 billion prize in November – although he has opted to remain private ever since.
But just a month after receiving his one-time payment, reports say he’s invested in a 13,578-square-foot hillside home complete with a full outdoor kitchen, gym, wine cellar and infinity pool .
It comes after news broke that Castro is being sued by a fellow Californian who claims he had the winning ticket and it was stolen from him.
Last month, Castro, who is reportedly in his early 30s, finally claimed his post-tax price of $997.6 million.
A $25.5 million Hollywood Hills mansion has been bought by record lottery winner Edwin Castro, who has stayed out of the spotlight since hitting $2.04 billion on Powerball in November
Less than 30 days later, he bought his new, spacious home, reports real estate magazine Dirt.
The three storey property, located behind the iconic Chateau Marmont, has five bedrooms and five bathrooms plus powder rooms.
It also features an infinity pool, cinema and sauna, as well as two separate garages that can accommodate up to seven cars.
The pad was first listed for $30 million in July 2022, but it seems Castro managed to shave $4.5 million off the total price.
Other amenities include a games room and bar, and a fitness center with a hot and cold pool, dry sauna and steam shower.
Meanwhile, the double-height glass staircase offers panoramic city views, and two fire pits and a built-in BBQ area sit outside.
Castro has largely sought to avoid the limelight after his record win.
California rules dictate that every lottery winner must be named – but he’s never been pictured in public.
At the time, lottery director Alva Johnson said he wanted to remain private and declined an invitation from lottery officials to attend the press conference about his win.
In a prepared statement, Castro said, “As much as I am shocked and thrilled to have won the Powerball drawing, the real winner is the California public school system.”
The education system will receive over $150 million as a result of the win.
“The California Lottery’s mission, which is to provide additional funding for public education in California in both public schools and colleges, makes this a great asset to the state,” Castro continued.
“As someone who has received the rewards of their education in the California public education system, it is gratifying to hear that the California school system has also benefited greatly from my victory,” the statement concluded.
Castro did not appear at the event, but did have a statement read to him, saying he was “shocked” and “ecstatic.”
However, his win was the subject of controversy after California resident Jose Rivera claimed the winning ticket actually belonged to him.
Rivera is suing Castro for profit-sharing.
Rivera said he bought the ticket on November 7 at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, but had it stolen from him that same day.
Rivera alleges that a man named “Reggie” took the ticket and tried unsuccessfully after the numbers were drawn to get the winning ticket back.
It is alleged that Reggie told Rivera the ticket was a dud, but if it turned out to be a winner, he would give up half the prize.
Rivera said he “refused to be blackmailed” and reported the theft to the CA Lottery and law enforcement.
Castro and Reggie were both named as separate defendants.
California Lottery Director Alva Johnson announces that Edwin Castro won the $2.04 billion PowerBall jackpot in November
California Lottery Assistant Principal Carolyn Becker announced Castro’s name back in November
The winning ticket was sold at the Joe Service Center in Altadena, California
He seeks damages from the court and declares him the winner of the historic $2.04 billion jackpot.
An employee at the gas station told last month that Rivera was “insane” to pursue the lawsuit.