Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
5 min of reading 
29 comments 
From Construction Worker in São Paulo to Millionaire Farmer: Discover How Valmir Amorim Won a Historic Prize in the Lottery, the Current Mega-Sena, Multiplied His Wealth with Rural Investment, and How His Life Changed
A simple game that changed everything. Imagine going from a construction site directly to the list of millionaires in the country. That’s exactly what happened to Valmir Amorim, a former construction worker who played the lottery almost as a joke and ended up winning one of the largest prizes in history.
More than three decades later, his story continues to spark curiosity: after all, what did he do with so much money?
From Santo Anastácio to São Paulo: The Beginning of the Turnaround
Valmir Amorim was born in Santo Anastácio, in western São Paulo, about 600 km from the capital. With education up to the 8th grade, he left the countryside in July 1988 heading to São Paulo in search of work.
-
He sold his share for R$ 4 thousand, saw the company become a giant worth R$ 19 trillion, and missed the opportunity of a lifetime.
-
Elon Musk’s Starship megafrocket puts $8 billion at risk, raises alarms in the market, and could affect technology, mining, and space internet startups in the coming years.
-
Airfare prices may rise with increasing fuel costs, and the government is considering urgent measures to avoid a direct impact on the wallets of Brazilians.
-
Chocolate prices soar nearly 15% and become a luxury item for Easter 2026, with increases surpassing inflation and changes in Brazilian consumption habits.
Shortly after, he found a job as a construction worker and even worked on the renovation of the old Carandiru prison.
It was after receiving his first salary that he decided to do something out of the ordinary: a small bet on the Mega-Sena (at the time, Sena). Betting wasn’t a habit, but that day felt different.
The Lottery Prize That Became Historic
The improbable happened. Valmir hit the numbers 02 – 03 – 07 – 08 – 31 – 43 and won 720 million cruzados, a value that today would be equivalent to about R$ 130 million.
According to him in interviews with TV, moments before the draw, he saw a plane in the sky and told his brother: “I’m going to win, and we’re leaving in one of those planes.” At the time, it was a laughing matter. Later, it became a reality.
One of the first expenses? A car as a gift for the owner of the lottery where he placed the bet.
To better understand how the largest lottery prizes work in Brazil, it’s worth checking the official website of Caixa Econômica Federal.
From Quick Money to Millionaire Investment
As soon as he collected the prize, Valmir returned to the interior of São Paulo. Instead of wild ostentation, he decided to invest in productive investment. He bought a large rural property, paying more than 50 million cruzados at that time.
Thus, Valmir the farmer was born.
Today, he is the owner of Fazenda São Francisco, located in Presidente Prudente (SP). The total area exceeds 2,200 hectares, distributed as follows:
- 60% allocated for sugarcane planting (under a leasing agreement)
- 20% used as pasture for beef cattle
- 20% preserved as a legal reserve, as per environmental legislation
This model helped protect and multiply his capital over the years, something often cited by wealth management experts as essential to preserve wealth.
According to financial educators from the Central Bank of Brazil, diversifying investments is one of the main factors for long-term success.
Cattle, Land, and Simple Life
Valmir has always made a point of maintaining a low profile. Even as a millionaire, his home remains simple. He has stated that he doesn’t like “fancy things” because they require work.
Currently, the farm houses about 1,600 head of cattle, and Valmir himself is involved in the daily rural activities, taking care of the animals and overseeing production.
Despite old rumors of bankruptcy, he assures that the reality is quite different: according to his statements, his current wealth may be up to twice the value of the original prize.
An Entire Family Transformed by the Current Mega-Sena Lottery Prize
The impact of the prize was not limited to Valmir’s life. He also helped his entire family:
- For one sister, he gave a house, a new car, and paid for the wedding
- For another, he handed over R$ 10 million, in addition to a house and car
- For one brother, he donated money and a 10-acre farm (equivalent to 2.42 hectares in São Paulo)
- Another brother also received a house and financial support
Such cases are often cited in studies of big prize winners, like those analyzed by BBC Brasil, which show how family planning makes a difference after unexpected gains.
And How Is He Today?
In 2025, there are no public records of recent interviews or drastic changes in Valmir Amorim’s life.
The latest information indicates that Valmir Amorim continues living in Presidente Prudente, managing the farm, traveling across the country, fishing, and enjoying forró circuit events, habits he has mentioned in TV reports that have been frequently replayed over the years.
In other words: away from the spotlight, but financially comfortable, with solid wealth and a life exactly as he has always wanted.
A Story That Still Inspires Valmir’s journey shows that winning the lottery may be luck, but maintaining and multiplying the money requires vision, discipline, and the right choices. From construction worker to a great farmer, he transformed a million-dollar prize into a lasting legacy.
Valmir Amorim, if this article reaches you, here’s a sincere invitation. Your story continues to inspire many people across Brazil. If you can, get in touch with the Click Petróleo e Gás team and tell us: how are you today? What have you learned over the years after winning such a large prize in the Mega-Sena? What advice would you give to those who dream of changing their lives but still don’t know how to manage their capital and wealth when the opportunity arises?
You, the reader who was inspired by Valmir’s story, what would you do if you won a prize like this in the Mega-Sena? Leave your comment below and share this article with someone who also enjoys real stories of overcoming and luck!
Sorte, simplicidade e sabedoria, tá aí a Receita e a Lição dada pelo Valmir! Parabéns!!!
Aplicaria em vários segmentos fora do país dos impostos.
Sendacional !F’e em Deus,p’e na tanua,sorte e sucesso!!!!