NC woman wins $1 million, rings in New Year as Powerball First Millionaire of the Year

A North Carolina woman is ringing in the New Year as the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year.

Pamela Bradshaw, of Clinton, won $1 million just after midnight when she won the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year drawing during "Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024."

"I’m so blessed," Bradshaw said during a live broadcast. "I’m so blessed."

This is the second year in a row that a North Carolinian won $1 million on New Year’s Eve in the Powerball promotion.

Bradshaw’s good luck began with a second-chance drawing held by the N.C. Education Lottery. She won a VIP trip to New York City and became one of five Powerball players chosen nationally for a chance to win $1 million in the drawing.

Bradshaw said the VIP trip was her first time flying on a plane and getting to visit New York City.

"I cried on the plane ride, and I cried at the Statue of Liberty," she said. "It’s just been so incredible."

She said she plans to use to her prize money to buy a home.

"I would love to have my own home that is mine and that I feel safe in," Bradshaw said. "I can have my own house and fix it up pretty and clean and feel safe. Not anything fancy or big, just a little cottage or something with one or two bedrooms."