A life-changing moment unfolded in Georgia after one lucky participant secured the massive $980 million Mega Millions jackpot. The winner hit all six numbers in the November 14 drawing, instantly becoming a multimillionaire.
However, the identity of this fortunate individual may never be revealed, thanks to Georgia’s privacy laws for major lottery winners. This historic payout marks the largest single Mega Millions win ever recorded in Georgia and one of the biggest jackpots in the game’s overall history.
Record-Breaking Jackpot
Longest Jackpot Run
The grand prize had been steadily increasing since June 27, growing through 40 straight drawings. This streak officially became the longest jackpot roll in Mega Millions history, pushing the estimated winnings close to the billion-dollar mark.
Non-Jackpot Prize Surge
While no one claimed the top reward during the long stretch, players across the United States collected nearly 14.3 million prizes valued at more than $343 million in total.
This included 21 second-tier wins, each worth $2 million or more, showing how active and profitable this drawing series was for many lottery players.
Georgia’s First Mega Millions Jackpot Since 2016
The latest jackpot win is especially notable because it ends Georgia’s long drought — the last Mega Millions jackpot claimed in the state was back in 2016.
Interestingly, this also makes 2025 the first year since 2020 without a $1 billion jackpot in the Mega Millions lineup.
Winning Numbers for November 14
The winning combination that secured the historic jackpot was 1, 8, 11, 12, 57, along with the Mega Ball 7. Despite the huge public interest, it’s unclear whether the winner will ever reveal themselves, as Georgia provides strong anonymity protections.
Can Lottery Winners Stay Anonymous in Georgia?
Yes. Under Georgia state law, recipients of $250,000 or more can request full confidentiality. This means the winner can legally remain anonymous by submitting a written request to the Georgia Lottery.
If they choose this option, their name, address, and identifying details will stay private and will not be disclosed to the public. This rule gives the new millionaire the freedom to protect their privacy while claiming their enormous prize.
Where the Winning Ticket Was Purchased
Ticket Sold in Newnan, Georgia
Mega Millions officials confirmed that the winning ticket originated from a Publix supermarket in Newnan, roughly 40 miles southwest of Atlanta.
Gretchen Corbin, President and CEO of the Georgia Lottery, expressed her excitement:
“We are thrilled to celebrate the largest winner in our state’s history. Every Mega Millions ticket supports HOPE and Pre-K programs, meaning Georgia families also benefit when players participate.”
Top 10 Mega Millions Jackpots of All Time
Below is a list of the ten largest Mega Millions jackpots ever recorded:
| Rank | Amount | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.602 billion | Aug. 8, 2023 | Florida |
| 2 | $1.537 billion | Oct. 23, 2018 | South Carolina |
| 3 | $1.348 billion | Jan. 13, 2023 | Maine |
| 4 | $1.337 billion | July 29, 2022 | Illinois |
| 5 | $1.269 billion | Dec. 27, 2024 | California |
| 6 | $1.128 billion | March 26, 2024 | New Jersey |
| 7 | $1.050 billion | Jan. 22, 2021 | Michigan |
| 8 | $980 million | Nov. 14, 2025 | Georgia |
| 9 | $810 million | Sept. 10, 2024 | Texas |
| 10 | $656 million | March 30, 2012 | IL, KS, MD |
The extraordinary $980 million Mega Millions jackpot has not only rewritten Georgia lottery history but also sparked widespread excitement across the country.
With anonymity laws allowing the winner to stay hidden, the public may never know who claimed the groundbreaking prize.
What remains clear is that this historic drawing brought millions in winnings to players nationwide and significantly contributed to Georgia’s HOPE and Pre-K education programs.
As Mega Millions jackpots continue to grow over time, the anticipation for future record-breaking draws is stronger than ever.
