FOND DU LAC, Wis. — No one on this Earth loves Big Macs more than 70-year-old Fond du Lac resident Donald Gorske, and he has the record to prove it.

Gorske recently extended his Guinness World Record for most Big Macs eaten in a lifetime to over 34,000.

“When I started eating Big Macs in 1972, they came in a box like this,” Gorske said, pointing to his collection of boxes.

Gorske ate his first Big Mac on May 17, 1972. He said it was love at first bite.

What You Need To Know

  • Gorske ate his first Big Mac on May 17, 1972; he ate 9 that day

  • In 1999, Donald set his first Guinness World Record for most Big Macs eaten in a lifetime at 15,490

  • Gorske said he's eaten a Big Mac at every NFL, MLB and NASCAR stadium
  • Gorske keeps detailed records including receipts, burger cartons and cups for every Big Mac he's eaten

“I actually ate nine that day. I went there at 11 o’clock and I had my first three Big Macs ever. I could get three Big Macs, fries and a Coke for $1.87,” Donald Gorske laughed.

In 1999, Donald Gorske set his first Guinness World Record for most Big Macs eaten in a lifetime, at 15,490, while working as a prison guard in Waupun. He said being known as a Big Mac record-holder at a prison was tough.

“Anytime it was on TV or anything, I put up with a lot of verbal abuse, and being in a maximum security prison, you know, the inmates say, ‘what are you going to do lock me up?’” Donald Gorske said.

It wasn’t all work for Donald Gorske. He’s a huge sports fan. Donald Gorske said he combined his love of Big Macs with his love of sports.

“I have had a Big Mac at every Major League Baseball stadium. I’ve had a Big Mac at every NFL stadium and I’ve had a Big Mac at every NASCAR track,” Donald Gorske said.

Donald Gorske’s wife Mary said the first time they met she turned him down twice when he asked her out. But she didn’t know about his determination. 

“The third time he asked if I wanted to go play foosball. I had no idea what foosball was. However, I couldn’t say no a third time. So, I said yes,” Mary Gorske laughed.

Mary Gorske said “yes” again when Donald Gorske proposed at McDonald’s. She said she knows one thing: her husband loves more than Big Macs.

“He loves me more,” Mary Gorske said.

Mary Gorske said she’s enjoyed being there for her husband as he achieved his milestones. She said he has been there for her accomplishments.

“After kids, I did go work as a prison guard in Waupun for about six to seven years. There were some things I didn’t like, so I went back to college and got my bachelor’s in nursing and became a nurse,” Mary Gorske said.

On Friday, Donald Gorske strolled into his preferred McDonald’s in Fond du Lac to eat Big Mac number 34,263.

Donald Gorske said he’s humbled and excited to break his own Guinness World Record. He’s already looking ahead to the next milestone.

“Next March, it’ll be 35,000 and then I kind of expect to do a celebration,” Donald Gorske said.

Donald Gorske said he doesn’t eat the fries and has low cholesterol.

After eating tens of thousands of Big Macs for 53 years, there are only three words to describe Donald Gorske — he’s lovin’ it.

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