Man who wanted to become famous revealed plan to win lottery that actually worked

An Orlando man embarked on a seriously risky strategy in a bid to get famous and win the lottery.

Rather than going on a talent show or creating some sort of dance TikTok account - to be fair to the man, TikTok wasn't actually around in those days - Jose Salmon decided in his bid to be famous he would try his best to win the lottery.

And while his methods were extreme - which is definitely putting it lightly - they did actually paid off.

What the method Jose Salmon created to win the lottery?

In an interview in 2007, Salmon revealed to WESH 2 News: "I said to myself if I want to be famous I have to win the lottery."

And, well, rather than studying the lottery for years, brainstorming some sort of mathematical formula or working out some very specific odds, Salmon simply dedicated himself to playing the lottery every single day for nearly a decade.

And he didn't just play, but very much committed to his approach by spending a staggering $600 every day on lottery tickets, doing so from 1998 to try and achieve his goal.

Thankfully, Salmon went on to win the lottery in 2007, but the real question is, did he win enough to pay off his debt?

Jose Salmon's lottery win

In August 2007, Salmon's dream became a reality when he became one of four winners of a $52 million jackpot presented with a cheque for a staggering $13 million on the Florida Lottery - more than enough to pay off the $600,000 in debt he'd accumulated over the years buying so many tickets every day for nearly a decade.

His wife admitted: "Now I'm like, 'Oh I'm so glad you played.'"

However, Salmon didn't end up taking $13 million home.

How much did Jose Salmon actually take home from his lottery win?

Salmon claimed he was handed a 'penalty for being lucky' and $6 million was taken off the sum.

What Salmon is talking about is his decision to take out a lump sum payment opposed to spreading the winnings over the course of 20 years.

So, the lotto winner ultimately received $7 million however, that money was ultimately then taxed too.

He resolved: "To be honest with you today I don't have any money. It's already in the bank, they wired it, but they only wired $5,300,000."

Despite his winnings, Salmon said he still worked seven days a week and wouldn't want to 'quit' working, and while he spent nearly 10 decades shelling out $600 every day on the lottery, he's since resolved to give up playing.