US man who won S$1.6 billion lottery given 4 months to live by doctors

In 2024, a man in Oregon, United States, had his life changed forever when he won a Powerball ticket worth US$1.3 billion (S$1.6 billion).

The amount was the largest in Oregon’s history and the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot in history, according to the Oregon Lottery.

The amount was split between the man, his wife, and their friend.

"How am I going to have time to spend all of this money?"

Cheng “Charlie” Saephan collected the life-changing lottery win with a hint of solemnness— he had been diagnosed with cancer eight years prior, and didn't know how much time he had left to enjoy his money.

"How am I going to have time to spend all of this money?" Saephan had said during a news conference at the Oregon state lottery headquarters last year, as quoted by The Guardian.

"How long will I live?" the 46-year-old man had then said.

Fighting cancer

Over the past year, since the winning drawing, Saephan has been focused on his health and is still fighting his cancer diagnosis.

He had also undergone two surgeries.

Saephan's purchase of a new home equipped with a home karaoke bar and a metallic, neon Lamborghini almost brought a sense of normalcy.

Yet beneath the surface of normalcy lies a palpable undercurrent threatening to gush.

Would like to stay longer and see his children grow

A recent 2025 interview with CBS Mornings reported that Saephan's cancer had spread.

"He said his health is the most valuable thing in the world, but the best doctors money can buy are giving him four months to live," CBS Mornings reported.

Saephan, who was born in Laos and raised in a refugee camp, said: "The only thing that hurts me is my health".

“I don’t worry about money now,” he said, as quoted by Oregon Lottery. “I’ve got my family set up.”

But in his CBS Mornings interview, Saephan said wistfully that he "would like to stay longer and see [his] two children grow up".

"Will sing every day he has left"

These days, Saephan mostly "continues to enjoy a simple life".

He is supporting the community and is financially invested in a growing, local Thai restaurant group.

He is at home when his children arrive after school and enjoys some lottery play, purchasing Powerball and Megabucks tickets each week.

Saephan also expressed his wish to open a dancing club.

And while he can't dance much these days, Saephan spent his time singing at his home karaoke bar.

"Saephan will sing every day he has left," CBS Mornings said.