Paris Software Engineer Wins Million-Dollar Picasso in €100 Charity Raffle
Imagine spending €100 on a whim and waking up as the owner of a masterpiece worth millions. For Ari Hodara, a 58-year-old software engineer based in Paris, this unlikely scenario became a reality. After purchasing a single ticket for the “1 Picasso for 100 Euros” charity raffle, Hodara discovered he was the lucky winner of an original Pablo Picasso painting.
A Life-Changing Phone Call
The win was almost too quality to be true. Hodara first learned about the raffle by chance during a meal at a local restaurant. He bought one ticket and promptly forgot about it until April 14, 2026, when he received a video call from Christie’s auction house in Paris.
His immediate reaction was skepticism. “How do I check that it’s not a hoax?” Hodara asked upon hearing the news. Once he verified the win, his first priority was sharing the news with his wife. While some winners might rush to sell such a prize, Hodara expressed his intention to keep the artwork, opting to store it in secure storage at the auction house.
The Masterpiece: Tête de Femme
The prize is a 1941 work titled Tête de Femme (French for “Head of a Woman”). The painting, which measures 15 inches (38 cm) tall and 10 inches (25 cm) wide, is believed to be a portrait of Dora Maar, who was Picasso’s close friend, artistic partner, and longtime muse.
The financial value of the piece is staggering compared to the entry cost. While the raffle listed the painting’s value at approximately $1.1 million, some art experts estimate it could be worth as much as $1.7 million. The Opera Gallery, the international art dealership that owned the painting, noted a public price of €1.45 million for the work.
Art for a Cause: Fighting Alzheimer’s
Beyond the individual excitement of the win, the raffle served a critical philanthropic purpose. This third iteration of the “1 Picasso for €100” lottery was organized to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research. The scale of the event was unprecedented, with 120,000 tickets sold across 50 different countries.
The initiative was a massive financial success, netting a total of €12 million (£10.4 million). From these proceeds, €1 million was paid to the Opera Gallery, with the remainder dedicated to medical research. Péri Cochin, a founder of the charity raffle, coordinated the announcement with the winner via video call.
A Legacy of Generosity
The 2026 raffle is part of a long-standing tradition of using high-value art to fund global humanitarian and preservation efforts. The “1 Picasso for 100 Euros” concept began in 2013 and has consistently delivered significant funding to various causes:
- 2013: The inaugural event raised about $5.6 million to help preserve the ancient Lebanese city of Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 2020: A second raffle raised nearly $6 million to support water and sanitation projects across parts of Africa.
Key Takeaways: The 2026 Picasso Raffle
- The Winner: Ari Hodara, a 58-year-old Paris-based software engineer.
- The Cost: A single ticket priced at €100.
- The Prize: Tête de Femme (1941), a portrait of Dora Maar.
- The Impact: €12 million raised for Alzheimer’s research.
- The Scale: 120,000 tickets sold across 50 countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the subject of the painting?
The painting, Tête de Femme, is believed to be a portrait of Dora Maar, a close friend and artistic partner of Pablo Picasso.
How much money was raised for charity?
The raffle netted €12 million, which will be used to support Alzheimer’s research after a €1 million payment to the Opera Gallery.
Where is the painting being kept?
Ari Hodara plans to keep the artwork in secure storage at Christie’s auction house.