Colin Weir, a Scottish lottery winner from Scotland, made headlines in 2011 after he won £161 million in the EuroMillions lottery.
In the eight years before his death in 2019, Colin Weir blew through a staggering £50 million of that money.
Weir’s Tragic Story
Joseph Redfield/Pexels | He had an extensive background in the film industry, having been a cameraman on renowned television shows such as The Bill and Eastenders.
The story of Colin Weir is an interesting one that showcases both how quickly one can become wealthy and blow it all away. Prior to winning the lottery, Colin and his wife Christine had been actively saving for retirement, but their chances of achieving financial security seemed slim.
He was a former cameraman who worked on TV shows like The Bill and Eastenders while Christine worked as a psychiatric nurse. They dreamed of having enough money to retire early and travel the world together, something they achieved after Colin’s lucky win.
How Colin Used His Riches
After winning his fortune, Colin went on to invest heavily in local businesses all over Scotland – specifically football clubs Glasgow Rangers, Partick Thistle, Morton, as well as Motherwell FC – as he wanted to use his wealth for good. Despite these efforts to help others with his wealth, it appears that most of Colin’s cash went towards lavish purchases such as cars, homes, and holidays.
RODNAE Productions | It has been reported that over the course of his life, Colin generously donated millions of pounds to various charitable organizations throughout Scotland.
In addition to splurging on luxury items for himself and his family, it seems that much of Colin’s spending was related to charity donations and giving back to those less fortunate than himself. Reports suggest that he gave away millions to charities around Scotland throughout his lifetime, including SCIAF (Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund), which received nearly £25 million from him over the years.
Eight years after winning the lottery, Colin passed away at the age of 71 due to illness. He left behind two adult children, Alexander and Michelle, who were beneficiaries of his will. His will also included other friends and family members, amounting to approximately £60 million split between them all in total.
Pavel Danilyuk | Eight years after receiving a life-changing windfall in the form of a lottery win, Colin tragically passed away at the age of 71
Wrapping It Up
Though tragically taken before his time, some may consider this case an example of living life without regrets - not only did he achieve financial security but also managed to seize every opportunity presented by winning big on the lottery - both indulging himself in luxury goods which most people would never get a chance at experiencing whilst also making sure that those more disadvantaged than him didn't go without by donating huge portions of his winnings away -all within just eight short years!
Ultimately this case serves as a reminder of how fleeting life is - so if you ever find yourself lucky enough to stumble upon a huge windfall - instead of wasting it frivolously, make sure you do something meaningful with it while you still have time!
