Actor Ben Affleck and Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding won the $1 million top prize on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire this week [1].

The win provides a significant financial boost to the Eastern Congo Initiative, a U.S.-based organization founded by Affleck to provide humanitarian aid to communities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo [2].

The episode aired on ABC on July 29, 2026 [3]. Affleck partnered with Ding, who is a 31-time Jeopardy! champion [1], to navigate the high-stakes trivia competition. The duo successfully answered the final question to secure the full amount of the top prize [1].

All proceeds from the victory were pledged to the Eastern Congo Initiative [2]. The organization focuses on supporting local communities through various humanitarian projects, aiming to stabilize the region through sustainable development and direct aid [2].

While some reports suggested the episode aired on July 30, 2026, primary records indicate the broadcast occurred on July 29 [3]. The appearance marks a rare instance of a celebrity pairing with a professional trivia expert to reach the maximum payout on the program [1].

“Ben Affleck and Jamie Ding won the $1 million top prize on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”

The collaboration between a high-profile celebrity and a professional trivia expert ensures a higher probability of success for charity-driven episodes. By directing the $1 million prize to the Eastern Congo Initiative, Affleck leverages the visibility of a major US network to draw attention to humanitarian needs in the Democratic Republic of Congo.