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A delighted Otessa Carbonell Schiapparelli, from the Philippines, is pictured left being congratulated by Qatar Duty Free Deputy General Manager Krishna Kumari for becoming the company’s first Dollar Millionaire raffle draw winner |
QATAR. Instant millionaire Otessa Carbonell Schiapparelli, from Palawan in the Philippines, picked up her US$1 million cheque from Qatar Duty Free after scooping the biggest raffle prize in the retailer’s history last month.
The winner was in Doha to collect her prize from Qatar Duty Free Deputy General Manager Krishna Kumari after flying in from Manila for the special event.
Qatar Duty Free, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways, launched the US Dollar Millionaire raffle draw last summer and said it had been overwhelmed with its success.
Schiapparelli first heard of the win in a telephone call from Kumari at the time of the draw last month at Doha International Airport. “I couldn’t believe it, I was in total shock, it was just amazing to receive such wonderful news – and what an excellent Christmas present,” she said.
She said the money would give her family financial security for the rest of their lives. She is married with an 11-year-old daughter.
She bought her winning ticket before boarding Qatar Airways’ Flight QR644 from Doha to Manila last year.
The millionaire raffle was launched in May 2006 with chances of passengers winning one million dollars extremely high as each draw is made after 5,000 tickets are sold. Both departing and transiting passengers at Doha International can buy tickets, which are priced at QAR950 (US$261).
The US$1million raffle was introduced as a replacement for the QAR1 million (US$280,000) raffle draw, which was launched three years ago.
Qatar Duty Free and Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said the US$1 million draw was the biggest-ever cash prize in the history of the company and, indeed, in the State of Qatar.
“Congratulations go to Otessa for being our very first Dollar Millionaire,” said Al Baker, who added that he hoped the money would give her great joy over the next few weeks, months and years to come, as well as financial security.
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