Ben Affleck and Jamie Ding won the $1 million [1] grand prize on a special edition of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" on Wednesday, July 30, 2026.
The victory provides a significant financial boost to the Eastern Congo Initiative, a nonprofit organization founded by Affleck to support development projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Affleck, 53 [2], teamed up with Ding, a known Jeopardy champion, to navigate the high-stakes competition. The duo successfully answered the final question regarding presidential pardons in Turkey to secure the top prize [4]. The episode aired on the ABC television network in the U.S. [2].
According to reports, the pair utilized the help of Jimmy Kimmel to reach the final milestone [2]. The win marks a successful collaboration between the actor and the competitive trivia expert to maximize the donation for the charity [5].
Affleck has long used his public platform to draw attention to the needs of the Democratic Republic of Congo. By participating in the televised event, he combined celebrity visibility with the expertise of a professional game show competitor to ensure the maximum payout for the Eastern Congo Initiative [3].
The funds are earmarked for the nonprofit's ongoing efforts to foster economic growth, and stability within the region [1].
“Ben Affleck and Jamie Ding won the $1 million grand prize”
This event demonstrates a strategic use of 'celebrity philanthropy,' where high-profile figures leverage entertainment platforms and expert partners to secure guaranteed funding for humanitarian causes. By pairing with a proven champion like Jamie Ding, Affleck minimized the risk of a lower payout, ensuring the Eastern Congo Initiative received the maximum possible grant from the network.
