Lottery winner Paul Maddison who won £11 million prize and lived like hermit dies

A lottery winner who won a whopping £11million on the lottery has died at the age of 73.

Paul Maddison and his then-business partner Mark Gardiner scooped a tidy amount in 1995 after their lucky numbers came up, securing them the huge jackpot.

The pair split their winnings - which totalled more than £22million - straight down the middle, becoming overnight millionaires.

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Paul is understood to have passed away on 28 November, according to reports, just months after his beloved wife who passed away earlier this year at the age of 62.

A Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service spokesperson said to The Daily Record: "The Procurator Fiscal received a report in connection with the death of a 73-year-old man in Perth on 28 November 2023.

"Following investigation the Procurator Fiscal concluded that no further action was required.

"The family have been informed."

Both of Maddison and Gardiner took very different approaches to their newfound lotto earnings.

After move to Perth and separating from his wife Ruth, Maddison hired Evelyn McGillivary to clean his new sprawling property - and, adding another movie-like twist to his colourful life, he ended up falling in love with her.

The couple got hitched in a beach ceremony in Mauritius on Valentine's Day back in 1997.

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Paul later sold their huge home to a member of the Stagecoach family for £450,000 after he had totted up a £10,000 bill by renovating the mansion.

Former florist Evelyn previously told the Record: "It has been a fabulous and very happy house but it has become too big for us.

"Sometimes we moved bedrooms just for a change, but really it's time for the next part of the dream.

"We have done the big house thing. Now we want something more manageable. This house is a lottery fantasy now.

"Maybe another winner will buy it."

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The pair then upgraded to the 16th-century Robgill Tower, situated near Dumfries, which they snapped up for £650,000 - but they reportedly lived like recluses in the B-listed building.

According to the Daily Express, neighbours in the nearby village of Kirtlebridge said they rarely saw the lottery winner or Evelyn leave their 40-acre estate.

The Brit then decided to sell the sprawling tower in 2008 for a nice £2.8million, before moving back towards Perth.

Meanwhile, his former business partner Gardiner revealed that he blew his £11million and is now back working regular job after a series of bad investments and buying a football club.

Topics: Money, UK News, News, National Lottery, Australia

Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

@livburke_