THE elusive grandfather named the winner of the $1.76billion Powerball as part of a syndicate last month has been photographed for the first time in California.

Theodorus Struyck, 65, does not appear to be living an extravagant lifestyle in the Golden State, despite scooping the second-biggest lottery jackpot in US history.

Powerball jackpot winner Theodorus Struyck is pictured running errands in CaliforniaCredit: The US Sun

He was seen dressed down in a T-shirt and board shorts as he stopped by a Taco BellCredit: The US Sun

Theo is pictured waiting in line to use an ATM before heading to another machine inside a Wells FargoCredit: The US Sun

Exclusive photographs obtained by The U.S. Sun show the lottery hotshot, known as Theo, heading into Taco Bell where he spent 45 minutes eating lunch, before drawing his winnings out of an ATM.

An eyewitness said he was driving around in an old truck, while snaps show him dressed casually in grey camouflage shorts and a grey T-shirt for his weekend outing.

He can be seen with his long white hair tied back in a ponytail and sporting a trimmed mustache and beard.

Struyck, who is said to be of Hawaiian descent, was also pictured wearing a white snapback cap with the word ‘Aloha’ written on it

He was seen heading into a Taco Bell restaurant alone for a bite to eat one afternoonCredit: The US Sun

The 65-year-old swung his car keys and looked relaxed as he headed across the parking lotCredit: The US Sun
Struyck matched his surf-style look with a pair of grey sneakers and white socks, appearing relaxed as he walked around a shopping area alone before heading back home.

The humble grandfather has barely been seen in Frazier Park, California in recent months after his win made headline news.

In California, the lottery does not allow winners to claim any prize anonymously.

His neighbor Kevin Woten, who lives with his wife next door, previously told The U.S. Sun, “We’re so happy for Theo, it’s really wonderful

“We were just making coffee this morning and we looked over as we’re keeping an eye on his place.

“I said, ‘I wonder if he’s on an around-the-world vacation right now’ I couldn’t blame him at all.”

Although he may have jetted off somewhere tropical since hitting the jackpot, he has mostly been living a quiet life with family in California.

It is not known whether he will return to live in his home, but neighbors said they saw him some weeks ago putting up a “no trespassing” sign.

Two large vehicles and a small boat were also parked at the house.

LIFE-CHANGING SUM

Struyck purchased the winning lottery ticket, a $2 Quick Pick, just minutes from his house at Midway Market on October 11, 2023, but it was months before he was named.

The U.S. Sun previously revealed he bought his single-story home in the Kern County mountain town in 2010 and took out a mortgage for $86,753.

He then took out a second loan on the house for $93,200 in 2015, which he had to pay back by April 2035.

It appears he came into money earlier this year as he paid off the property and transferred the deed for the house to a new trust, named ‘Struyck Theodorus B Tr Opa Can Rest Now’.

The word “Opa” means “grandpa” in German.

He is believed to have grandchildren who feature on his private Facebook page wearing “Opa” T-shirts.

Carolyn Becker, a spokesperson for the state lottery, declined to comment on the other lucky lottery players in Struyck’s syndicate due to safety concerns.

But she did confirm they opted to receive the jackpot in a lump sum, meaning they took home $774.1 million before taxes.

 

Lottery winners can opt for 30 annual payments over 29 years, with the money coming in over an extended period.

Others can choose a one-time lump sum payment, however, a significant amount will be shaved off.

Had they chosen the annuity option, the money would have been invested and the total winnings would have been closer to about $1.8 billion, Becker told the Ventura County Star.

“By and large, our big winners take the cash,” she added.

Struyck was seen carrying an envelope as he ran errands miles from his home in Fallbrook, CaliforniaCredit: The US Sun

The grandpa paid off the mortgage on his small home in Frazier Park, about an hour’s drive from Los AngelesCredit: Toby Canham – Commissioned by The US Sun Digital edition

An old photograph of Struyck at a gathering was featured on his Facebook accountCredit: Facebook/Theodorus Struck