A Virginia woman who won a $5 million lottery jackpot won $5,000 and $500 jackpots just a few weeks earlier. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Lottery

Nov. 10 (UPI) -- A Virginia woman's lottery winning streak started with $5,000, continued with a $500 win and culminated in a $5 million jackpot.

Brenda Gentry said she won $5,000 on a Virginia Lottery Scratcher game just a few weeks ago and followed up with a $500 win shortly after collecting her prize.


Gentry said her winning streak carried on to this month, when she scratched off a 50X the Money ticket she bought at Food Mart in Charlottesville and revealed a $5 million top prize.

Gentry chose to receive her cash as a lump sum, amounting to $2,808,989 before taxes.

The big winner said she doesn't know how she will spend her newfound wealth.

"This has been a little nerve-wracking because I don't want it to change my life," she said.