Benítez participated in the 1992 Ford Supermodel of the World contest, finishing as a semifinalist. She rose to prominence after being chosen by photographer Steven Meisel and being featured many times in the American and Italian editions of Vogue for Meisel's layouts.
She has also appeared on the covers of ELLE, Glamour, Mademoiselle, Harper's Bazaar, and Marie Claire. Benítez has also done advertising campaign work for Dolce & Gabbana, Macy's, Episode, I-N-C, J.Crew, Óscar de la Renta, Rena Lange, Nine West, Valentino, and Jones New York, and has modeled for Victoria's Secret.Benítez appeared in the 1999 Pirelli Calendar that featured "Women Through the Decades."
She also appeared in Enrique Iglesias' music video "Love to See You Cry" in 2002. In 2003, she appeared in the ad for the perfume Mahora Guerlain, which was shot by Bruno Aveillan.
Benítez was one of the judges for the Miss Universe 2004 competition. In the 2004 issue, Sports Illustrated reported Benítez's story of nearly boarding the doomed TWA Flight 800–a Boeing 747 that exploded over the Atlantic soon after takeoff.
