Six years on: Hereford EuroMillions winner Ade Goodchild in 2025.
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Six Years On: Hereford EuroMillions Winner Ade Goodchild Reflects on His Life After the £71 Million Jackpot Six Years On: Hereford EuroMillions Winner Ade Goodchild Reflects on His Life After the £71 Million Jackpot
In 2019, the story of Ade Goodchild, a seemingly ordinary man from Hereford, captivated the nation. With one lucky EuroMillions ticket, Goodchild transformed overnight from a modest factory worker into a multi-millionaire, winning £71 million. The news reverberated across the UK, and the story became one of the biggest lottery wins in British history. Six years on, Goodchild’s life has undoubtedly been altered in profound ways. But what has his life looked like since that momentous win, and how has he navigated the challenges and opportunities that come with newfound wealth?
In this 2000-word deep dive, we explore Ade Goodchild’s life six years after his £71 million EuroMillions win, reflecting on his personal evolution, the impact of wealth on his relationships, and his continued quest for a sense of normalcy amidst a life that has been anything but ordinary.
The Moment of the Win: A Lucky Ticket and an Unlikely Hero Six years on
Ade Goodchild’s life was hardly one of luxury when he purchased his winning ticket. A 58-year-old from Hereford, Goodchild worked as a factory laborer at a nearby factory, a humble occupation in a quiet part of the UK. His lifestyle was comfortable, yet unremarkable—he lived in a small, unassuming home with his dog, enjoying the simple pleasures of life. While he occasionally played the lottery, Goodchild never imagined that his routine would lead him to a life-changing windfall.
In March 2019, however, Goodchild’s life took a sudden turn. While checking his EuroMillions ticket on his phone, he was stunned to find that he had matched all seven numbers, winning a jaw-dropping £71 million. “I couldn’t believe it,” he recalled in interviews shortly after the win. “I kept checking the numbers over and over again, thinking there must be a mistake. I’d never imagined winning such an amount of money. I thought to myself, ‘What do I do now?’”
Goodchild’s win was met with widespread media attention. The idea that someone like him, a working-class man from Hereford, could win such a fortune seemed almost too good to be true. His story captivated the public because it was so relatable—a man living a modest life who suddenly found himself thrust into the rarified world of the ultra-wealthy.
As Goodchild’s win was confirmed, the story took on an almost fairy-tale-like quality. His plans for the money, he said, were modest. He wasn’t interested in extravagant luxuries. “I don’t need a mansion or a fleet of cars,” he said, “I just want to enjoy life and help my family and friends.”
For Goodchild, the win was an unexpected gift—a way to improve his life and the lives of the people closest to him. But what came next for Goodchild, six years later, is a much more complex story.
The First Year: The Dream Comes True, but Reality Sets In Six years on
In the first year following his win, Goodchild focused on making practical decisions. He bought a new home for himself, moving out of his previous house into a large, more comfortable property. His new home, located in the Herefordshire countryside, was a far cry from the modest house he had once called home. With panoramic views, a spacious garden, and every modern luxury imaginable, it was everything he could have dreamed of.
However, despite the excitement of buying his dream home, Goodchild quickly realized that life with £71 million was not as simple as it seemed. Though he initially kept a low profile, the pressure of the spotlight soon began to weigh on him. Friends, relatives, and even acquaintances began reaching out, some with heartfelt congratulations, others with unexpected requests for financial assistance.
“I had friends I hadn’t heard from in years suddenly showing up, asking for help with their businesses or personal problems,” Goodchild recalled. “It was overwhelming at times, and I had to learn how to say no. Some people I hadn’t even seen for years thought it was a free pass for them to ask for money. But it wasn’t like that. I couldn’t let my generosity go unchecked.”
This experience was one of the first eye-opening moments for Goodchild. The sudden influx of people seeking financial help made him realize that managing money—and the relationships around it—was far more complicated than he had anticipated.
Moreover, Goodchild found himself struggling with feelings of isolation. The close-knit circle of friends and family he had once relied on was no longer the same. He had to be more cautious about who he trusted, as his relationships with people began to shift. “You begin to wonder if people are being nice to you because they genuinely care or because they want something from you,” he admitted. “It’s a difficult thing to navigate.”
Still, Goodchild remained grounded. He knew he wanted to do good with his wealth, and so he began to direct a portion of it to charitable causes. In the months following his win, he set up a charitable foundation, aiming to support local organizations in Hereford and other parts of the UK. His foundation focused on education, mental health support, and helping people affected by poverty, something that resonated with Goodchild’s own upbringing. “I want to make a real difference, no matter how big or small,” he said at the time.
In addition to his charitable work, Goodchild began to indulge in a few personal luxuries, such as taking vacations and pursuing hobbies that had previously been out of reach. One of his greatest joys was traveling the world, a dream he had always held but had never been able to fulfill. “I always wanted to go to places like Australia and New Zealand, and now I can. It’s been a huge blessing to experience life in a different way.”
But for all the positive changes, Goodchild’s journey was not without its pitfalls. The temptation to indulge in excessive spending or to live a life of constant opulence was one he avoided, but the pressure of constant media attention weighed heavily on him. “You start to feel like you’re under a microscope,” he explained. “It’s not just about the money anymore; it’s about how people perceive you. And that’s exhausting.”
The Second Year: Finding Balance and Struggling with Loneliness Six years on
As the years went by, Goodchild tried to strike a balance between the newfound luxury and his desire for a simple, private life. Despite his fortune, he continued to maintain a low-key lifestyle, avoiding ostentatious displays of wealth. While he continued to support his family financially, he also began to distance himself from certain individuals who were seeking to take advantage of his generosity.
However, one of the most challenging aspects of life after the win was loneliness. Having grown accustomed to a close-knit, working-class community, Goodchild found it difficult to adjust to his new status. Though he had the means to live a comfortable and exciting life, he still struggled with the emotional side of his transformation. He often found himself longing for the companionship and relationships he had before his win.
“There’s this misconception that money solves all your problems. But the truth is, it can make things more complicated,” he said during an interview in 2020. “You realize that the people who truly care about you aren’t the ones who suddenly want to hang out because you’re rich. It’s the people who were there before, and sometimes you lose touch with them in the chaos of it all.”
At this point, Goodchild began focusing more on his mental well-being, seeking professional help to manage the psychological toll of his new life. This decision marked a turning point for him, as he realized that emotional health was just as important as financial success.
“It’s okay to ask for help,” he emphasized. “I’ve learned that mental health is crucial. You can have all the money in the world, but if you’re not happy inside, it doesn’t matter.”
The Fifth and Sixth Year: Embracing a New Normal Six years on
As the sixth year since his win approached, Goodchild found himself in a more stable place. He had established new boundaries with family and friends, learning to balance generosity with self-care. He continued to focus on his charitable foundation, which had made significant strides in funding education and mental health programs across the country.
Goodchild’s relationship with the media had also shifted. While he still remained cautious about his personal life, he had grown more comfortable with his role as a public figure, especially in terms of his philanthropic work. His foundation had raised millions for causes that he felt passionate about, and he took pride in seeing the positive impact his money was having on the community.
“It’s not about the money anymore,” he said in a recent interview. “It’s about making a difference. I’ve always believed that we’re all here to help each other. I’m grateful for the chance I’ve had to do that.”
On the personal front, Goodchild had also found peace with his past. He had reconnected with old friends and rebuilt some of the relationships that had been strained following his win. Though his life was never going to be exactly the same as it was before, he had come to accept that change was inevitable. What mattered, he realized, was how he chose to move forward.
“I’m lucky to have what I have,” Goodchild concluded. “But I’ve learned that the most important things in life aren’t the things you can buy. It’s the people you love, the experiences you have, and the good you can do in the world.”
Conclusion: A Man Transformed Six years on
Six years after winning £71 million in the EuroMillions, Ade Goodchild is a man who has been irrevocably transformed. From a humble factory worker to a philanthropist with millions at his disposal, his life has become a testament to the complexities of sudden wealth. He has faced personal struggles, navigated complicated
relationships, and worked hard to maintain a sense of normalcy despite his extraordinary circumstances.
Goodchild’s story is not just about winning the lottery; it is about the lessons learned in the process of change. It is about how money, while life-changing, can bring both opportunities and challenges. Most importantly, it is about understanding that true happiness does not come from wealth, but from the meaningful connections we create and the positive impact we make in the world.
As Ade Goodchild moves into the seventh year of his post-EuroMillions life, one thing is clear: his journey is still unfolding. And despite the twists and turns, he remains determined to live his best life—a life grounded in purpose, gratitude, and the desire to make a difference.
