He received 1.8 million marks!Lotto millionaire reveals: My winnings turned into a nightmare

Oliver Intemann can still clearly remember the day his life turned upside down: it was 1994 and he was watching the lottery numbers being drawn on television. In the end, the man from Bremen had won six correct numbers and almost 1.8 million marks. “I have been playing since I was 18 and always hoped that this would happen,” says the now 59-year-old. He had no interest in school or training, didn't know what he should do for a living and ended up working at the post office, like his father. He didn't enjoy his job.

Intemann thought that once he had a lot of money, his life would improve. After all, he could then do whatever he wanted. Everything turned out differently. He used his million-dollar winnings to buy cars and real estate, take expensive trips, invest in business ideas that didn't work, and give away a lot of money.

Ten years later, there was nothing left of all that money. He had to file for personal bankruptcy, was painfully divorced, depressed and was living in emergency accommodation.

That was 20 years ago now. Today he no longer has any debts. He has a regular job in a beverage store that he enjoys. He no longer has any material desires and is satisfied with his life. “All the consumption, all this nonsense didn’t make me happy,” Intemann is certain. “Whenever I achieved something, it blew up in my face at high speed. I'm glad that I don't have to chase money anymore. My life is calmer and better now.”

Intemann earns 1,800 euros net per month, but he hardly spends any of it. “I just bought a new bike.” He rents in a shared apartment.

Intemann hasn't played the lottery for a long time – at least not for himself. “My mother lives in a retirement home. I play her numbers for her.” He doesn't want to win anything anymore. “This is far too exciting,” says the man from Bremen. However, if his mother won, he would get something. And he would accept that too.

Sources used: Janet Binder, dpa