A thirty-something from the South-East recently validated a gain of 162 million euros at the Euromillions.
For several years, the FDJ has been setting up individual and collective support for its big winners, in order to prevent them from allowing themselves to be destroyed by this money.
Loss of benchmarks, isolation, addictions, the risks are numerous for winners who are not emotionally mature enough, warn psychologists interviewed by
20 Minutes
.
“Loss of reference points”, “addictions”, “depression”, “loneliness”… These are not the symptoms of a new disease, but the possible side effects of a victory at the Euromillions.
Paradoxical, but a study published in 2010 already affirmed that "money does not buy happiness" beyond 4,900 euros per month.
20 Minutes
therefore wanted to know: what goes on in the mind of a winner, like this Niçois who won the jackpot of 162 million euros?
And how to stay well in his head with this new fortune?
Elements of answer to avoid the curse of the hoard.
Overcome the shock
To play is to run the risk of winning, and even to hope for it.
But when that happens, there can be "an emotional shock", warns the clinical psychologist specializing in emotions Robert Zuili, who speaks of "a state of bewilderment, as if we turned off all the lights at once.
They must then be relighted.
This is where the FDJ's Big Winners service comes in.
“We first have an interview by phone, which is a time for listening and discussion, for privileged sharing,” explains Isabelle Cesari, Relationship Winner manager at the FDJ.
From a gain of one million euros, or 200 people each year in France, the winner is received in person at the headquarters of the FDJ, in Boulogne-Billancourt, and is immediately offered individual support, in addition of the celebration of his gain.
Because it is better to be accompanied to get out of the state of shock, and to face a certain fear of having to assume such wealth.
"In denial, some people can put the money in an account and refuse to talk about it, or even touch it," explains addiction psychologist Elsa Laurent.
And even if we manage to "rationalize the gain", so much money which falls into your pockets causes whatever happens "an emotional cataclysm", supports Robert Zuili.
According to him, it would be "desirable to have an emotional maturity" to manage the shock, because "the more unstable one is, the more the damage can be deep".
Rich "yellow vest", a reversal of values
The addictologist Elsa Laurent does not say anything else: "You can fall into an addiction much more quickly because you have the means". And, an additional problem: some people think “they no longer have the right to complain” once they are rich. Access to so much money poses an identity problem, according to her, since the players are often of modest origins. Just imagine the "yellow vest" cultivating a certain detestation of the rich, becoming rich in turn. "There is a reversal of values" which can also be destabilizing, "especially when you don't have the codes" of your new environment, she points out.
A few years ago, the FDJ cell was present to ensure the "onboarding" of the nouveau riche in its environment, as one integrates a large company, in particular with outings to the opera. Today, the company has changed its mind. "We want the winners to experience the gain with their values and to beware of any injunction", assures Isabelle Cesari, for whom "we cannot stick to what we are not".
There remains the problem of the entourage.
Money often upsets relational balances, and "creates envy", warns Elsa Laurent.
As generous as one can then show oneself to those close to them, the question one day arises: "do people love me because I am a millionaire?"
“Asks Robert Zuili.
Inevitably, divorces and loss of friendships follow, turning wealth into a golden prison.
Even if, as Isabelle Cesari reminds us, the winners “often speak of the singular moment when they discovered the gain” in a joyful way.
Porsche, identity and heritage
The moment finally arrives when we wonder if we should change our life. First of all because "money opens doors and possibilities", recalls Elsa Laurent. "Do we have to stop working? Change partner? », Quotes Robert Zuili. This is usually where you can start to derail, to buy a Porsche of every color or a plot on the Moon. Simple fun or loss of meaning? For Elsa Laurent, some winners “spend to spend” because they are “ashamed of having won without working”, in particular those from modest backgrounds, “where this value is important”.
Some will even "continue to have poor habits", she explains, and save money in order to compensate for the "loss of identity" that can be felt. Fortunately, one can be rich and serious, and the FDJ is still there to help the winners to manage this money well. "We offer very technical thematic workshops, in order to give them the keys to manage their earnings", explains Isabelle Cesari. Financial markets, the world of real estate, banking, taxation, the FDJ offers neutral information, without selling any product to its winners, which is a guarantee of "confidence".
For 5 years, the lucky winner can therefore be accompanied by a coach to register his gain in a life project, like the thirty-something who wishes to market his own brand of beer.
But the FDJ also offers “aspirational workshops, in tune with the times”, for those who would like to work in humanitarian actions or launch a project linked to ecological transition.
No fool, Robert Zuili agrees that the FDJ, concerned about "its brand image", cannot let its earnings make you miserable.
Because in the end, environmental philanthropist, frequent traveler or compulsive spender, money often only exacerbates the personality of the winner, happy or unhappy.
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