What would you do if your ex suddenly became a multimillionaire just months after your divorce? That’s exactly what happened to Eileen Murray. Her ex-husband, Mike Weirsky, won a staggering $273 million in the Mega Millions lottery—only five months after their marriage officially ended.
Eileen and Mike were married for 15 years. Throughout their relationship, Eileen was the one keeping things together financially. Mike had trouble keeping a steady job, so most of the household bills fell on Eileen’s shoulders. She was the primary provider, working hard to support both of them.
When their marriage ended, the court reviewed their financial history. Ironically, despite Eileen being the one who supported the household, she was ordered to pay alimony to Mike for five years. This was based on the fact that he was seen as a financially dependent partner during the marriage.
Then, everything changed. Just a few months after their divorce, Mike won $273 million in the lottery. It was a complete life-changer—but Eileen was still legally required to send him monthly alimony checks.
Eileen expressed her frustration in an interview with Inside Edition. She didn’t want a share of the money, but she couldn’t ignore the absurdity of the situation.
“To him, [the alimony] is pocket change at this point,” she said. “What I’m paying him is a pittance.”
Naturally, Eileen’s story caught fire online. Clips from her interview circulated on social media and sparked a heated debate. Many people were shocked that someone with over $270 million in the bank could still legally receive alimony. Others sympathized with Eileen, saying it felt like a slap in the face after years of hard work.
Some users joked that Mike had “won twice”—first the lottery, and then the divorce settlement. Others were more serious, pointing out that Eileen had supported him for over a decade and deserved better.
“It would be a nice gesture for him to gift her some money,” one commenter wrote. “She did support him through all those tough years.”
Another person added, “I’d still give her a few million just to say thank you and move on.”
Eileen made it clear that she wasn’t looking to start a legal battle or claim part of Mike’s winnings. Her frustration came from the fact that the court system didn’t account for this unexpected twist of fate.
She wasn’t bitter, but she felt the situation was unfair. It wasn’t about greed—it was about principle.
This situation has raised a big question: Should legal obligations like alimony be reconsidered when life circumstances change so dramatically?
Some argue that a court ruling is a court ruling; it was based on the information available at the time. Others feel the law should be more flexible, especially when someone’s financial situation shifts this drastically.
Whether or not Mike chooses to help his ex-wife out of goodwill is up to him. Legally, he’s entitled to the money and the alimony. Morally, though, the internet remains split.
Should Mike offer Eileen a generous thank-you gift, or is it his right to keep it all?
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