An Irish EuroMillions winner who has given away more than half of her €136 million fortune is in hot water with her hubby — for donating another €13m to total strangers.
Real-life “Fairy Godmother” Frances Connolly revealed she has already busted the charity budget she agreed for this year with husband Paddy.
The couple were living in a rented house in Moira, Co Down, when they hit the mega jackpot in the New Year’s Day draw in 2019. They scooped £115m (€136m).
Generous Frances, a 55-year-old former social worker and teacher, then set up two charitable foundations and began giving away large chunks of cash to friends and family.
She estimates she has given away €70m, including to charity, but does not keep a tally, joking she would be worried in case her 57-year-old husband saw it.
She said helping others, whether with money or by volunteering her time, lifted people’s spirits during lockdown.
“I get to change people’s lives every day if I want to. Helping other people and doing something to help other people will lift you.
“It gives you a buzz and it’s addictive.”
Frances has splashed cash set aside for charities over the next 10 years in the space of six months.
Heartbroken by “all the poverty in the world”, she says: “I’m at about 10 or 11 million paid directly to charity, but I don’t keep a tally in case Paddy finds it.
“He gave me an annual budget for good causes. We set one this year, I agreed to it. I’ve already spent all the money. It was to take us up to 2032.
“We might have to revise it.”
Frances has just given away €6,000 to buy clothes and toiletries for Ukrainian refugees. She has always been motivated to help others, volunteering for the St John Ambulance from age nine and setting up an Aids helpline when she was a student in Belfast.
The couple, who have three daughters — Catrina, 34, and twins Fiona and Natalie, 26 — are not extravagant with their wealth and Mrs Connolly has no desire to buy a yacht.
After their big win the couple moved from Ireland back to Hartlepool in the north of England where they had earlier raised their children.
The initial €70m giveaway included their three grandchildren, eight siblings, 15 nieces and nephews, four great nieces and nephews, as well as complete strangers.
READ MORE: Irish Lotto player scoops massive €160,000 prize as jackpot rolls over again
READ MORE: Aged in your 20s? Here's how much of a pension you could have if you start saving €100 a month now
