Have you ever heard of a “reluctant” millionaire? Neither have I! But while some people strive to be rich, or will die tryin’, there are two lottery winners who weren’t in such a hurry.

They actually held off collecting their millions because they were “reluctant” about being rich.

Ain’t that a b*tch!

The Mega Millions numbers were drawn on Aug. 20, 2010, and there was a winning ticket sold in North Carolina. Raleigh Hill discovered he was blessed with being the owner of that winning ticket but he delayed claiming the proceeds from the million-dollar win.

He didn’t even tell his wife about it until several weeks after realizing his ticket was a winner!

So why the delayed gratification you ask?

Well, it certainly wasn’t because they were already rich. Raleigh, who bought the ticket, is a baggage handler, and his wife Erin works for the federal government.? Average everyday middle-class Americans.

Raleigh was so fearful of all “the hoopla,” that he sat on that information and kept it all to himself. And then one day, when Erin was fretting about having an awful day, he let her in on his secret.

“Things aren’t all that bad,” he told her after leaving the winning ticket on her computer screen.

And yet they still both decided to wait… for 6 whole months before claiming the dough. Stashing the lucrative ticket away in safe places like inside a Bible, a shoebox, an envelope and a work locker.

The Hills finally came forward a few days ago, ONE DAY before the prize was to expire. They split the prize money and each received a lump sum of $340,000 after taxes.

Apparently the couple was haunted by a sense of unease over the many stories they’d heard about lottery winnings destroying lives and relationships. And can you blame them?

I know you remember that story about Abraham Shakespeare….the lottery winner who was found buried in concrete?? [click here to revisit that story]

There have been story after story about “the lottery curse” and several previous winners have wished they could give it all back.

VIDEO: Lottery Curse: $314 Million Lottery Winner Wishes He Never Won!

I think the Hills were smart in waiting and investigating their options. Considering Biggie’s “Mo Money Mo Problems” theory, it would be wise to consider all the factors prior to claiming any big win.

Would you be a “reluctant” millionaire?