Ben Affleck lands $1 million win as fans react

Ben Affleck won the rare $1 million prize money during his celebrity guest appearance on the on July 29 episode of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

The actor teamed up with Jeopardy! star Jamie Ding to secure the cash prize for charity. Ben shared that the money will go to the Eastern Congo Initiative, a scheme he co-founded in 2010. The nonprofit organization helps “support locally led organizations to expand access to essential services, strengthen economic opportunities, and promote justice.”

“Our work is designed to create scalable, sustainable impact across eastern Congo,” reads the official website. 

The final $1 million question was read by host Jimmy Kimmel on the ABC game show. “In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, all but which of these have been the names of turkeys pardoned by a U.S. president?” asked Jimmy. The various answers included Peanut Butter & Jelly, Tater & Tot, Mac & Cheese, and Spaghetti & Meatball. 

Ben and Jamie used their Phone-A-Friend lifeline to call Stephen Morrison and used the Ask-The-Host lifeline to get help from Jimmy. “Actually, you’re very good with cooking and food, current events, too. Actually, you might know this,” said Ben. Jimmy suggested the answer may be Spaghetti & Meatball. 

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“I could see me adding a big bowl in Donald Trump’s hands and him slurping up the spaghetti and meatballs. That one sounds like it wasn’t the one to me,” he added. “If I’m wrong, I’m so sorry.”

Ben and Jamie decided to go with Jimmy’s suggestion and answer Spaghetti & Meatball. Once it was announced that they were indeed correct and had in turn succeeded at winning the $1 million prize, confetti fell down onto the stage.

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Ben Affleck’s net worth and parenting style

The actor himself boasts an impressive $150 million net worth. Ben welcomed three children – Violet, Fin, and Samuel – with his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner. The couple, who tied the knot back in 2005, divorced in 2018.

During an interview on Today with Jenna & Friends, the actor opened up about his parenting approach when it comes to money. “My oldest two have jobs,” he shared.

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“In fact, one just got a job, the kind of classic teenager working a shop job – I won’t say what it is. My older one in college is working and trying to get an internship for the summer.”

“You love your kids. You want to give them everything and do everything for them, but I think you definitely do them a disservice by not connecting [if] you want something that you want, you have to work for that,” he explained.