From $117 to a Million: Parisian Art Lover Wins Rare Picasso in Charity Raffle

Imagine spending a modest amount on a lottery ticket during a casual meal and waking up as the owner of a million-dollar masterpiece. For Ari Hodara, a 58-year-old sales engineer from Paris, this surreal scenario became a reality on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Hodara emerged as the winner of the “1 Picasso for 100 euros” raffle, claiming a Pablo Picasso painting valued at $1 million. The win, which occurred following a draw at the prestigious Christie’s auction house in Paris, has captured the public’s imagination by blending the thrill of a high-stakes lottery with a philanthropic mission.

The Winning Ticket and the Winner’s Reaction

Ari Hodara describes himself as an art amateur with a particular fondness for Picasso. He discovered the charity raffle by chance during a restaurant meal over the weekend and decided to purchase a ticket for 100 euros (approximately $117).

The shock of the win was immediate. Upon receiving the call from organizers, Hodara’s first instinct was skepticism, asking, “How do I check that it’s not a hoax?” Despite the staggering value of the prize, Hodara’s initial plan is simple: share the news with his wife and preserve the painting.

Inside the Masterpiece: ‘Head of a Woman’

The prize is not just a financial windfall but a significant piece of art history. The winning function, “Head of a Woman,” is a gouache-on-paper portrait painted by Pablo Picasso in 1941. The subject of the piece is Dora Maar, who served as Picasso’s longtime partner and muse.

Key Details of the Artwork:

• Artist: Pablo Picasso
• Title: Head of a Woman
• Year: 1941
• Medium: Gouache-on-paper
• Subject: Dora Maar
• Estimated Value: $1 million

Art for a Cause: Funding Alzheimer’s Research

The “1 Picasso for 100 euros” lottery was more than just a game of chance; it was a strategic fundraiser for medical advancement. This third iteration of the lottery was designed specifically to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research.

The financial scale of the event was massive. Organizers reported that all 120,000 tickets were sold worldwide, netting a total of 12 million euros (approximately $14 million). While the vast majority of these funds are dedicated to research, 1 million euros will be paid to the Opera Gallery, the international art dealership that originally owned the painting.

Gilles Dyan, the founder of Opera Gallery, noted that the gallery provided the painting at a preferential price for the raffle, as the standard public price for the piece was 1.45 million euros.

Key Takeaways

• The Winner: Ari Hodara, a 58-year-old Parisian sales engineer.
• The Cost: A single ticket priced at 100 euros ($117).
• The Prize: Picasso’s 1941 portrait “Head of a Woman.”
• The Impact: 12 million euros raised for Alzheimer’s research.
• The Scale: 120,000 tickets sold globally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who organized the Picasso raffle?

The raffle was organized by Peri Cochin, the founder of the “1 Picasso for 100 euros” initiative, in collaboration with the Opera Gallery.

Where did the raffle draw take place?

The draw was held at Christie’s auction house in Paris on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

How much money was raised for charity?

The lottery netted 12 million euros ($14 million), with the proceeds supporting Alzheimer’s research after the Opera Gallery was paid 1 million euros for the artwork.

Looking Ahead

The success of this raffle demonstrates a growing trend in “democratizing” high-value art, allowing the general public to engage with masterpieces while supporting critical health research. As the art world continues to evolve, the “1 Picasso for 100 euros” model provides a blueprint for combining luxury assets with global philanthropy.