On this day March 30 1984 New York police detective Robert Cunningham left what became known as the world’s biggest tip. Dining at his regular spot at Sal’s Italian Restaurant in Yonkers Cunningham didn’t have enough cash for a proper tip and jokingly offered to split a $1 lottery ticket with his waitress Phyllis Penzo.
The two had known each other for years and she agreed to the friendly deal. That ticket ended up hitting a $6 million jackpot. True to his word Cunningham split the winnings evenly with Penzo and the story made headlines across the country. Their story became a feel good example of honesty generosity and the power of a promise and it even inspired the 1994 film It Could Happen to You.
Fun fact: Phyllis Penzo continued working as a waitress even after the win and used her share of the money to help her family and pay off bills.
Trivia question: What 1994 film was inspired by the real life story of Robert Cunningham and Phyllis Penzo’s winning lottery ticket?
The two had known each other for years and she agreed to the friendly deal. That ticket ended up hitting a $6 million jackpot. True to his word Cunningham split the winnings evenly with Penzo and the story made headlines across the country. Their story became a feel good example of honesty generosity and the power of a promise and it even inspired the 1994 film It Could Happen to You.
Fun fact: Phyllis Penzo continued working as a waitress even after the win and used her share of the money to help her family and pay off bills.
Trivia question: What 1994 film was inspired by the real life story of Robert Cunningham and Phyllis Penzo’s winning lottery ticket?
