$2.04 Billion Powerball Jackpot Winner in California Finally Comes Forward to Claim Largest Lottery Prize in U.S.

The Powerball winner in California who won the record-setting $2.04 billion jackpot last November has emerged from hiding and finally came forward.

According to KTLA, California lottery officials tweeted about Tuesday morning's "big announcement" through a press conference that will include revealing the winner of the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history and the largest ever for Powerball.

"We will show #CaliforniaEducation a whole lot of LOVE on #ValentinesDay when we unveil the sole winner of the record-breaking $2.04 billion #Powerball #jackpot from November," the California Lottery wrote on its Twitter account. The message means that the winner was an individual and not a group of people who participated in a pool.

However, Fox 11 reported that the California Powerball winner will not be present at the press conference as the individual respectfully declined to appear publicly and do media interviews.

Apart from announcing the name's winner, the California lottery leaders will also talk about the record-breaking amount raised for California public education as a result of this win.

According to the California Lottery, the California winner will earn a prize of $1.9 billion. The single ticket holder can claim the full amount in annualized payments over 29 years or a single lump sum payment worth $997.6 million.

The Powerball winner in California bought the winning ticket at a gas station in Altadena, an unincorporated area east of Los Angeles. Joe Chahayed, the store owner, has already received the maximum bonus of $1 million for selling the Powerball winning ticket.

Only four jackpots have ever topped $1 billion. However, none came as close to this prize, which started at $20 million last August 6. The jackpot had risen to this massive amount after more than three months without a winner.

Law in California Does Not Allow Powerball Winners to Remain Anonymous

Public disclosure laws differ from state to state. But in California, a lottery winner could not remain anonymous. The winner's name is considered a matter of public record under California law.

According to the California Lottery Winner's Handbook, the state lottery said a winner's full name and the name and location of the retailer that sold the ticket are all subject to disclosure.

It also said the amount of the winnings, which includes the gross and net installment payments, must also be disclosed. Another reason why California law discloses the winner's name to the public is for the public to know that these lotteries, including the Powerball, are honestly run.

The North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries further noted that lawmakers also wanted the public to know that the prize was paid out to a real person and was not getting scammed.

Financial advisers often advise winners not to tell anybody or be careful about who they tell, especially if they win the jackpot. However, lottery winners cannot remain anonymous in most participating states.

States that grant anonymity include Arizona, Florida, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, and Wyoming.

Powerball Winner of $754.6 Million Jackpot

Last week, one winner in the state of Washington won the fifth-largest jackpot in Powerball history and the ninth-largest in U.S. lottery history. The Powerball jackpot winner's identity is still a mystery.

But the ticket holder has the option to receive $754.6 million if they choose the annuity option, to be paid out gradually over 29 years, or a lump sum payment of $407.2 million. According to Powerball, both prize options are before taxes.

This was the first Powerball jackpot to win this year. The Powerball jackpot was last won on November 19, when a ticket in Kansas matched all six balls, winning a $92.9 million jackpot.

Last year, seven Powerball jackpots were reportedly won, including the world record $2.04 billion jackpot won by the California single ticket holder last November 7.

Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at approximately 10:59 p.m. ET. Powerball is being played in 45 states, as well as in Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: California's $2.04 Billion Powerball Winner Comes Forward - From FOX 11 Los Angeles