Ben Affleck and Jamie Ding won the $1 million top prize on the game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” on July 29, 2026 [1], [2].
The victory provides a significant financial boost to the Eastern Congo Initiative, a U.S.-based advocacy and grant-making organization. By securing the maximum payout, the participants have increased the resources available for supporting people in the eastern Congo [3], [4].
The episode, which served as the second installment of the fifth season, aired at 8 p.m. ET on the ABC network [2], [5]. Affleck and Ding navigated the series of increasingly difficult questions to reach the final milestone. The win marks a rare occasion where the top prize is awarded, especially in a charity-focused appearance [1], [4].
Affleck's involvement with the Eastern Congo Initiative is central to the purpose of the appearance. The organization focuses on providing sustainable support and advocacy for populations affected by conflict in the region [3], [4]. The $1 million windfall [1] is designated entirely for the charity's operations and grants.
Production for the episode took place at the show's studio, where the pair faced the high-pressure environment of the hot seat. The broadcast reached a national audience, highlighting the intersection of celebrity visibility and humanitarian aid [5].
“Ben Affleck and Jamie Ding won the $1 million top prize”
This event demonstrates the use of high-profile media platforms to generate immediate, substantial funding for niche humanitarian causes. By leveraging a popular game show format, the Eastern Congo Initiative gains both a million-dollar injection of capital and widespread public awareness of the humanitarian crisis in the eastern Congo.
