84-Year-Old Florida Woman Claims Half-Billion Dollar Lottery

An 84-year-old Florida woman has claimed the $590 million Powerball, state lottery officials announced earlier today.

Gloria MacKenzie of Zephyrhills bought the winning ticket for the May 18 drawing, which was the largest multi-state lottery jackpot ever. Though Florida lottery rules deny anonymity to lottery winners, MacKenzie did not attend this afternoon's press conference.

MacKenzie was represented at today's announcement by her two lawyers, who said she had agreed to split the winnings with her son, Scott. The younger MacKenzie was not at the press conference, either.

At today's announcement, MacKenzie's lawyers read the following announcement: "We are grateful for this blessing of winning the Florida Lottery Powerball jackpot and appreciate the interest of the public, the State of Florida and the lottery."