In a season that usually brings cheer, Spain’s famous Christmas lottery delivered something deeper this year — hope reborn from ashes. Just months after devastating wildfires scorched large parts of north-western Spain, small towns in the province of León emerged as some of the biggest winners of El Gordo, the world-renowned Christmas lottery, collectively sharing hundreds of millions of euros.
The winning number, 79432, turned ordinary €20 tickets — known locally as décimos — into life-changing fortunes worth €400,000 each. Because these tickets are often sold in strips and shared among neighbours, colleagues, and local groups, the prize money spread widely across communities that had recently been pushed to the brink.
The town of La Bañeza, home to about 11,000 people, shared an astonishing €468 million. Among the beneficiaries were members of a local football club and everyday residents who had endured a brutal year marked by tragedy and loss. Just four months earlier, wildfires had ravaged 8,000 hectares of surrounding land, killing a 35-year-old local man, Abel Ramos, and leaving deep scars on the community. Adding to the hardship, the closure of a sugar-beet factory had already wiped out dozens of jobs.
Mayor Javier Carrera described the win as “an injection of excitement and hope”, a much-needed morale boost for a town struggling to recover economically and emotionally.
Nearby Villablino, another town badly affected by the summer fires, also struck gold, receiving around €200 million. The town’s mayor, Mario Rivas, said the news came at a crucial time, especially after five local men died in separate mining accidents in neighbouring Asturias earlier in the year. While acknowledging that money cannot replace lives lost, he noted that the win reminded residents that “there can also be good news.” Many of Villablino’s winning tickets were sold through a local Alzheimer’s association, ensuring the prize would ripple through families and support networks.
Other communities in León also benefited. La Pola de Gordón, a town of just 3,000 people, shared €60 million, while €64 million went to a working-class district in Madrid, showing how El Gordo often spreads wealth far beyond a single location.
For individuals like Maribel Martín of Villablino, the moment was surreal. She learned of her €400,000 win while grocery shopping, after her son called with the news. Reflecting on the tough year behind them, she summed up the mood simply: “We were really down, and this is a wonderful thing.” Her plans for the money were equally heartfelt — to share it and enjoy life.
In a year marked by record-breaking wildfires that burned nearly 0.8% of Spain’s total land area, the Christmas lottery became more than a tradition. For these towns, it was a powerful reminder that even after devastation, fortune can still knock — loudly — at the door.