Retired Army veteran Vanesa McCaskell won the biggest single-game payout in the history of “The Price Is Right” during the Mother’s Day episode Friday.
The ground-breaking making moment unfolded with McCaskell’s daughter cheering her on from the audience, Fox News Digital reported. McCaskell, from Virginia, won $227,500 in cash and a Morocco vacation valued at $12,650 for a total of $240,150 in cash and prizes, according to Variety. McCaskell made bold moves, at one point risking it all in the high-stakes game “The Lion’s Share,” where contestants can risk their entire earnings for a chance at a bigger win.
Her approach paid off, leaving the retired veteran in visible shock. Footage of her winning on the show can be viewed on CBS6 here.
Vanesa McCaskell, a retired Army veteran, just gave the term “Mother’s Day gift” a whole new meaning by walking away with a record-shattering $240,150—the largest single-game win in The Price Is Right history.https://t.co/MJF4GJPAa4
— Atlanta Black Star (@ATLBlackStar) May 10, 2026
McCaskell won $2,500 in the first round, and quickly inched forward to $25,000, according to Fox News Digital. She continued through the third round and secured $100,000, resulting in screams of excitement from the retired veteran.
McCaskell was down to just two balls remaining with $127,500 in winnings. In a tense moment, she made the decision to keep forging ahead.
“The last two numbers are my daughter’s birthday,” she said to Drew Carey, the host.
“I have to go.”
She pointed at her daughter and shouted, “For you, baby!” as she continued forward.
Moments later, another $100,000 was added to her jackpot, but McCaskell wasn’t done yet.
“Vanesa, we’re almost up to a quarter-million dollars,” Carey said. “One more ball to go.”
“I have to believe,” McCaskell said before winning the Morocco trip.
Speaking of the experience in a statement issued to Variety, McCaskell said, “it all felt so surreal — a dream moment that only kept getting bigger.”
“I was nervous, excited and everything at once,” she said.
As for what she plans to do with her windfall, she said, “Winning over $200,000 is life changing. I plan to invest wisely, enjoy a little and treat my mom to a special surprise.”(RELATED: Red Hot Chili Peppers Reportedly Seals Over $300 Million Deal)
“Our partnership with Fremantle was designed to to bring the thrill of BetMGM gameplay to life on one of television’s most iconic game shows,” Matt Prevost, chief revenue officer for BetMGM, said via a statement. “That vision was delivered in a historic way during Vanesa’s record-breaking win on ‘The Lion’s Share.’”
McCaskell’s big win was the largest in the 54-year history of the hit game show. She overcame the previous record of $210,000 won by former contestant Christen Freeman in 2016.