For Ari Hodora, a 58-year-classic sales engineer living in Paris, a casual weekend decision to enter an online raffle has resulted in a life-altering windfall. By spending a modest sum, Hodora became the winner of the international lottery known as “Un Picasso pour 100 euros,” claiming a masterpiece valued at approximately 1.45 million euros.
The drawing, which took place Tuesday evening in the opulent salons of Christie’s in Paris, was broadcast live via YouTube to a global audience. To ensure absolute transparency, the process was overseen by a judicial officer, confirming that ticket number 94715—the one Hodora purchased just days prior after spotting the initiative on a news channel—was the winning entry.
Beyond the individual stroke of luck, the event marked a massive success for medical philanthropy. The charity raffle, which launched in early December with the backing of the Picasso administration and the artist’s heirs, managed to sell all 120,000 tickets in under four months. The reach of the campaign was staggering, attracting participants from 152 different countries before the final ticket was snapped up on Tuesday morning.
A Masterpiece of Wartime Emotion
The prize is not merely a financial asset but a significant piece of art history. The work, titled “Tête de femme,” is a gouache on paper measuring 38.9 cm by 25.4 cm. Painted in 1941 during the height of the Second World War, the piece is a portrait of the French photographer and painter Dora Maar, who was Picasso’s muse and partner during a tumultuous period of his life.
The provenance of the piece adds to its allure. After being held for a time by Pablo Picasso and his family, the painting moved into a private collection. It later surfaced on the international market in Recent York and, more recently, in Zurich, before being designated as the grand prize for this charitable endeavor.
The intersection of art and science in this raffle highlights a growing trend in “high-impact philanthropy,” where blue-chip art is leveraged to generate immediate, liquid capital for urgent medical needs. For the winner, the acquisition of a 1941 Picasso represents a rare opportunity to own a work of this caliber without the traditional barriers of auction house competition.
Funding the Fight Against Alzheimer’s
While the headline focuses on the winner, the true victory lies in the 12 million euros raised for the Fondation Recherche Alzheimer. These funds, collected before the acquisition of the painting, are earmarked for scientific programs both within France and internationally, supporting research teams across Europe, the United States, and Canada.
The urgency of this funding is underscored by sobering global health trends. According to projections from the World Health Organization, the number of people living with this degenerative disease could double by 2050. The disease places an immense burden not only on patients but on the global healthcare infrastructure and millions of family caregivers.
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Raffle Breakdown: “Un Picasso pour 100 euros”
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Tickets Sold | 120,000 |
| Ticket Price | 100 Euros |
| Global Participation | 152 Countries |
| Total Funds Raised | 12 Million Euros |
| Estimated Prize Value | 1.45 Million Euros |
The Mechanics of a Global Lottery
The success of the “Un Picasso pour 100 euros” campaign can be attributed to its digital-first approach. By selling tickets exclusively online, the organizers removed the geographical friction that usually limits charity lotteries to local or national borders. This allowed a diverse pool of donors to contribute to Alzheimer’s research while chasing the dream of owning a Picasso.
The involvement of the Picasso administration was critical. Without the consent and support of the artist’s heirs, the use of such a high-profile work for a lottery would have been legally and ethically complex. This partnership ensured that the painting’s legacy was preserved while serving a modern humanitarian purpose.
For Ari Hodora, the process was simple: a discovery via a news broadcast, a digital transaction, and a ticket number—94715—that eventually changed his financial trajectory. His story serves as a poignant reminder of how a small individual contribution can aggregate into a massive scientific catalyst.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or financial advice. For information regarding Alzheimer’s disease and care, please consult a licensed healthcare provider or the World Health Organization.
The Fondation Recherche Alzheimer is expected to provide further updates on how the 12 million euros will be allocated among its international research partners in the coming months, marking the next phase of this artistic and scientific collaboration.
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