Twenty-five years after becoming the first British contestant to win the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire top prize, Judith Keppel has revealed an extraordinary fact: the entire £1 million jackpot remains securely in her bank.
The Life-Changing Win
On November 20, 2000, Judith Keppel made television history by correctly answering the final question on the popular ITV quiz show. Her landmark victory came when she identified Henry II as the king married to Eleanor of Aquitaine, a fact she recalled from visiting Eleanor's tomb in France earlier that summer.
Judith recently admitted to The Times that while she wasn't completely certain of her answer, she felt "gripped by some sort of insane gambling-instinct urge" in that decisive moment. Had she answered incorrectly, she would have left with £32,000 instead of the life-changing million.
Prudent Financial Management
Despite the massive windfall, Judith adopted an incredibly cautious approach to her newfound wealth. She immediately hired a financial adviser to invest the money wisely, a decision that has generated substantial income ever since while preserving the original capital.
This financial prudence explains how the fortune remains intact decades later. According to the Bank of England's inflation calculator, the £1 million jackpot from 1998 when the show launched would be worth approximately £2 million in today's money.
Selective Indulgences
The champion did allow herself some celebrations following her historic win. Accompanied by her daughter Rosie, who was in the audience during the recording, the pair took a holiday to India to spot tigers.
Judith also demonstrated her charitable side by donating a Jeep to a wildlife charity. Beyond these exceptions, she maintained her disciplined approach to the prize money.
Life After Millionaire
Interestingly, Judith revealed she was never a quiz enthusiast before her appearance and still doesn't consider herself one today. She acknowledged she was simply "very poor" at the time and found the questions "weren't that hard."
Despite this claim, she capitalized on her knowledge by writing a quiz book and creating puzzles for a publication from 2003 until 2022. She further showcased her intellect as a regular on BBC Two's Eggheads until the programme concluded in 2023.
The most significant change the money brought, Judith explained, was the freedom from financial worries. She could finally enjoy life again, creating what she described as a profound "difference" in her existence.
