Ex wife seeks 5,000 euro monthly payment after 220m euro SuperEnalotto winner dies

Rome– The former wife of an Italian man who won 220 million euros in the SuperEnalotto lottery has launched legal action against his widow after his death brought an end to her monthly maintenance payments.

The case concerns a former lorry driver from Padua who won the record jackpot in 2019 after buying a ticket during a work trip to Lodi. The life changing win prompted him to leave his job, purchase a new home and car, and invest much of his fortune.

Shortly afterwards, he divorced his first wife, a 53 year old cleaner living in the province of Varese. The couple agreed that she would receive a monthly divorce settlement of 6,300 euros.

The man later married a 37 year old woman from Chieti on July 24, 2025, and the couple settled in Padua.

He died suddenly on June 28, 2026. With no children or other close legal heirs, his second wife inherited his entire estate.

His death also ended the monthly payments to his former wife, who has now turned to the courts in an effort to continue receiving financial support.

Her claim is based on Article 9 bis of Italy's divorce law, which allows a court to award maintenance following the death of a former spouse in certain circumstances. The payment is not automatic and is only granted if the claimant can demonstrate financial need. Judges must also consider the amount previously paid, the claimant's financial situation, any survivor's pension entitlement and the heir's economic circumstances.

Lawyers representing the former wife estimate that any new maintenance payment could amount to around 5,000 euros a month, lower than the 6,300 euros she received while her former husband was alive.

The final decision rests with the court, which will determine whether the legal requirements have been met and, if so, establish the amount after assessing the finances of both women and the size of the inherited estate.

PS