MrBeast (James Stephen "Jimmy" Donaldson) has revolutionized YouTube with his high-production challenges and massive philanthropic efforts. In 2024, he became the most-subscribed individual creator on YouTube, surpassing T‑Series with over 400 million subscribers by 2025.
The 27-year-old American entrepreneur boasts an estimated net worth of $1 billion as of 2025, making him one of the wealthiest content creators globally. His empire spans multiple businesses, including Feastables, MrBeast Burger, and Beast Philanthropy, alongside his groundbreaking Prime Video series "Beast Games."
From his humble beginnings in Greenville, North Carolina, to becoming YouTube's biggest star, MrBeast has redefined creator media through data-driven content and unprecedented generosity. His viral stunts, massive giveaways, and environmental initiatives have captured audiences worldwide.
Real Name | James Stephen Donaldson |
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Date of Birth | May 7, 1998 |
Age | 27 years (2025) |
Net Worth | $1 billion (2025) |
Height | 6'2" / 189cm |
Nationality | American |
Profession | YouTuber, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist |
MrBeast is famous as Jimmy Donaldson and is a prominent figure in the digital media industry. He is renowned as YouTube's most-subscribed individual creator and is considered one of the most influential entrepreneurs in modern entertainment.
Born James Stephen Donaldson in Wichita, Kansas, MrBeast transformed from a teenage gaming commentator into the world's biggest YouTuber. His meticulous approach to understanding virality and crafting high-retention content has redefined what's possible in creator media.
MrBeast's operation spans multiple language channels, consumer brands, and philanthropic initiatives, combining data-driven storytelling with relentless creativity. His breakthrough came through expensive challenge videos that reinvested all earnings back into bigger productions.
Like other successful creators such as Sarika KB and Rena Fathima, MrBeast has carved a unique niche in the entertainment world through his unprecedented scale and generosity.
MrBeast was born on May 7, 1998 in Wichita, Kansas. His father's name is Charles Donaldson, and his mother's name is Susan (Parisher) Donaldson. MrBeast has an older brother, Charles "CJ" Donaldson, who runs the YouTube channel MrBro.
The family moved to Greenville, North Carolina, where Jimmy spent most of his childhood. His parents initially struggled to understand his obsession with YouTube, particularly when he began skipping social activities to focus on content creation. The family maintained modest means while Jimmy reinvested every dollar earned back into his videos.
MrBeast completed his schooling at Greenville Christian Academy in North Carolina. He showed early entrepreneurial instincts and spent countless hours studying successful YouTube videos to understand what made content go viral.
He briefly enrolled at East Carolina University but dropped out after one semester to focus entirely on YouTube. This decision initially concerned his parents, but his rapid success soon validated his choice to pursue content creation full-time.
MrBeast is currently engaged to Thea Booysen, whom he began dating in 2022. Previously, he was in a relationship with Maddy Spidell from 2019 to 2022, which was relatively public among his fanbase.
Jimmy maintains a relatively private personal life despite his massive public presence. He often emphasizes how his intense work schedule and perfectionist approach to content creation require understanding partners who support his entrepreneurial vision.
MrBeast is known for his obsessive dedication to content creation and business development. He enjoys analyzing YouTube analytics, developing new video concepts, and expanding his philanthropic reach. His favorite activities revolve around brainstorming increasingly ambitious projects.
Favorite Food | Feastables chocolate, various cuisines |
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Favorite Color | Blue |
Favorite YouTuber | Various creators across different niches |
Favorite Music | Hip-hop, electronic |
Hobbies | Video editing, business strategy, philanthropy |
Favorite Destination | Various locations for video production |
Despite his wealth, MrBeast maintains a relatively modest personal lifestyle, preferring to reinvest profits into bigger video productions and business ventures. He's deeply committed to environmental causes and has publicly supported various charitable initiatives beyond his own foundation.
MrBeast started his career in 2012 as a teenager under the handle MrBeast6000. His journey began with gaming commentary and reaction videos, experimenting with different content styles before discovering his signature format of large-scale challenges and philanthropy.
Career Debut | |
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First Channel | MrBeast6000 (2012) |
Content Type | Gaming Commentary |
Breakthrough Video | "Counting to 100,000" (2017) |
Initial Focus | YouTube algorithm analysis |
Early Success | Viral challenge content (2018) |
Jimmy spent years studying successful YouTube channels obsessively, often working 12+ hour days analyzing what made videos go viral. His early content struggled to gain traction, but his analytical approach eventually led to breakthrough insights about audience retention and engagement.
The turning point came when he began creating expensive stunts and challenges, reinvesting all ad revenue into increasingly ambitious productions. This strategy differentiated him from other creators who typically kept earnings as profit.
MrBeast gained massive recognition with videos like "I Gave Away $1,000,000 But ONLY 1 Minute To Spend It!" This revolutionary approach to content creation established him as YouTube's most generous creator and demonstrated the power of reinvestment-driven growth.
His success expanded into multiple language channels, reaching global audiences through localized content. Major projects include the record-breaking environmental fundraisers Team Trees and Team Seas, which raised tens of millions of dollars for environmental causes.
Currently, MrBeast operates multiple successful businesses, including Feastables chocolate company and MrBeast Burger virtual restaurant chain. His 2024 Prime Video series "Beast Games" represents his expansion into traditional media with the largest reality competition show ever produced.
MrBeast has achieved remarkable financial success through his diverse entertainment and business empire. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is $1 billion, making him one of the wealthiest content creators globally and the first YouTuber to reach billionaire status.
Net Worth (2025) | $1 billion (approx.) |
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Annual Income | $500+ million |
Monthly Income | $40+ million |
YouTube Revenue | $100+ million annually |
Brand Partnerships | $200+ million annually |
Business Ventures | Feastables, MrBeast Burger, licensing |
His wealth stems from multiple revenue streams, including YouTube ad revenue, massive brand sponsorships, consumer product sales through Feastables, licensing deals for MrBeast Burger, television projects, and strategic investments. Unlike many creators, he consistently reinvests the majority of earnings into larger productions.
Despite his enormous wealth, MrBeast maintains a relatively modest personal lifestyle compared to other billionaires. He owns several properties in North Carolina where he films content and houses his growing team of collaborators and employees.
Properties | Multiple filming studios and residences in Greenville, NC |
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Vehicles | Various cars featured in videos; personal collection not emphasized |
Investments | Real estate, creator economy startups, technology companies |
Height | 6 feet 2 inches / 189 cm |
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Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
Body Type | Average build |
Eye Color | Blue |
Hair Color | Brown |
Skin Tone | Fair |
Distinctive Features | Friendly smile, casual presentation style |
MrBeast is known for his approachable, casual appearance that connects with his diverse audience. He typically wears branded hoodies and comfortable clothing that reflects his down-to-earth personality despite his enormous success.
His style evolution has remained consistently casual and accessible, focusing on MrBeast-branded merchandise and comfortable streetwear. This authentic presentation has become part of his brand identity and a relatability factor.
MrBeast has received numerous accolades for his outstanding contribution to digital media and philanthropy. His innovative approach to content creation and massive charitable impact have earned recognition from major industry organizations.
Year | Award | Category | Recognition |
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2020-2023 | Streamy Awards | Creator of the Year | YouTube Innovation |
2022-2025 | Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Male Creator | Youth Impact |
2022 | Guinness World Records | Most Subscribers (Individual Male) | Platform Milestone |
2023, 2025 | TIME 100 | Most Influential People | Global Impact |
MrBeast has achieved several historic milestones, including becoming the first individual creator to surpass T‑Series as YouTube's most-subscribed channel. He was honored by TIME Magazine as one of the most influential people globally for his impact on digital media and philanthropy.
His environmental initiatives through Team Trees and Team Seas have earned recognition from conservation organizations worldwide. The collective fundraising efforts have planted over 20 million trees and removed millions of pounds of ocean plastic.
Currently, MrBeast is expanding "Beast Games" on Prime Video following its record-breaking debut in December 2024. The reality competition series achieved the highest viewership for unscripted content in Prime Video history and has been renewed for additional seasons.
Project | Role | Platform | Status | Timeline |
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Beast Games Season 2 | Host/Creator | Prime Video | Production | 2025 |
Feastables Expansion | Founder | Global Retail | Active | Ongoing |
Beast Philanthropy | Founder | YouTube/Global | Active | Ongoing |
MrBeast continues breaking YouTube records with his main channel, surpassing 400 million subscribers in 2025. His recent collaborations include partnerships with major Hollywood studios and international brand campaigns that leverage his global reach.
Future plans include expanding Feastables internationally, developing new television formats, and launching additional philanthropic initiatives focused on education and environmental conservation. His production company is also exploring feature film opportunities.
Like many high-profile creators, MrBeast has faced various challenges and criticisms throughout his rapid ascent to global fame. Most controversies have centered around his business practices and the intense work culture within his organization.
Former employees have described high-pressure work environments, though Jimmy has emphasized that his standards reflect the ambitious scale of his productions. Legal disputes with MrBeast Burger's parent company, Virtual Dining Concepts, emerged over alleged quality control issues in 2023.
The production of "Beast Games" faced criticism regarding contestant treatment during filming, with reports of challenging conditions that producers attributed to the unprecedented scale and logistical complexity of the competition. MrBeast and Amazon addressed concerns while maintaining the show's success.
Here are some fascinating and lesser-known facts about MrBeast that showcase his unique journey and personality:
MrBeast has an unprecedented social media presence with hundreds of millions of followers across platforms. He strategically uses each platform to maximize reach while maintaining consistent messaging about his content and philanthropic efforts.
Platform | Handle | Followers | Content Type |
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YouTube | @MrBeast | 400+ million | Challenge videos, philanthropy |
@mrbeast | 60+ million | Behind-the-scenes, lifestyle | |
Twitter/X | @MrBeast | 30+ million | Updates, interactions, announcements |
TikTok | @mrbeast | 100+ million | Short-form viral content |
MrBeast's social media strategy focuses on authentic engagement and consistent value delivery to his audience. His most viral posts typically announce major giveaways or philanthropic initiatives, generating millions of interactions within hours.
His global reach extends beyond English-speaking audiences through localized content and culturally relevant campaigns. The engagement rates across all platforms remain exceptionally high due to his interactive content style and generous community initiatives.
MrBeast is 27 years old as of 2025. He was born on May 7, 1998, in Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Greenville, North Carolina.
MrBeast's real name is James Stephen Donaldson. He adopted the "MrBeast" persona early in his YouTube career and it became his primary identity.
MrBeast is engaged to Thea Booysen, whom he began dating in 2022. He previously dated Maddy Spidell from 2019 to 2022.
Yes, MrBeast has an older brother named Charles "CJ" Donaldson, who runs the YouTube channel MrBro and occasionally appears in MrBeast's content.
MrBeast attended Greenville Christian Academy in North Carolina and briefly enrolled at East Carolina University before dropping out to focus on YouTube full-time.
MrBeast is 6 feet 2 inches (189 cm) tall. His weight is not publicly disclosed, but he maintains an average build.
MrBeast lives in Greenville, North Carolina, where he operates multiple properties for content production and houses his team.
Born on May 7, 1998, MrBeast's zodiac sign is Taurus, which is often associated with determination and persistence.
No, MrBeast does not have any children as of 2025. He is currently focused on his career and business ventures.
MrBeast's father is Charles Donaldson, and his mother is Susan (Parisher) Donaldson. They initially had concerns about his YouTube career but are now supportive.
MrBeast started his YouTube career in 2012 at age 14 under the handle MrBeast6000, initially creating gaming content and commentary videos.
MrBeast became famous through expensive challenge videos, massive giveaways, and philanthropic content that reinvested all earnings into bigger productions.
As of 2025, MrBeast has over 400 million subscribers across his main channel and multiple language channels, making him YouTube's most-subscribed individual creator.
MrBeast owns several businesses, including Feastables (a chocolate company), MrBeast Burger (a virtual restaurant chain), and Beast Philanthropy (a charitable foundation).
Beast Games is MrBeast's reality competition series on Prime Video, launched in December 2024 and billed as the largest reality show ever produced.
MrBeast has given away over $100 million in prizes, challenges, and charitable donations throughout his career, with the amount continuing to grow.
Team Trees and Team Seas are massive environmental fundraising campaigns co-founded by MrBeast, raising tens of millions for tree planting and ocean cleanup.
While MrBeast primarily speaks English, he operates YouTube channels in multiple languages, including Spanish, Hindi, and Portuguese, with localized content.
MrBeast has voice cameos in several animated films, including "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem" (2023), "Under the Boardwalk" (2023), and "Kung Fu Panda 4" (2024).
MrBeast spent thousands of hours analyzing successful YouTube videos, studying retention rates, and experimenting with different content formats to understand virality.
MrBeast's estimated net worth is $1 billion as of 2025, making him the first YouTuber to achieve billionaire status through digital content and business ventures.
MrBeast's video earnings vary greatly, but his major productions can generate millions in revenue through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise tied to each release.
MrBeast's personal car collection is not heavily publicized, as he often gives away luxury vehicles in his videos rather than emphasizing personal possessions.
MrBeast typically spends hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per video, reinvesting nearly all revenue back into increasingly ambitious productions.
MrBeast partners with major brands for sponsorships but is selective about alignments. His own brands include Feastables and MrBeast Burger.
MrBeast is expanding Beast Games, growing Feastables internationally, and developing new television formats while continuing his YouTube content creation.
MrBeast has faced some workplace culture criticisms and business disputes, but has maintained his reputation through transparency and addressing concerns directly.
MrBeast's daily routine involves content planning, business meetings, video production oversight, and constant brainstorming for new concepts and charitable initiatives.
MrBeast maintains his health through active video production but doesn't emphasize a specific fitness routine publicly, focusing more on mental stamina for long work days.
MrBeast founded Beast Philanthropy, which donates 100% of earnings to various causes, including food banks, environmental conservation, and education initiatives.
While MrBeast started with gaming content, he now focuses primarily on large-scale productions, though gaming occasionally appears in his challenge videos.
MrBeast enjoys various cuisines but frequently promotes his own Feastables chocolate bars, which he developed as a healthier alternative to traditional candy.
MrBeast occasionally posts job openings on social media and his website, typically seeking creative individuals who share his vision for innovative content production.
MrBeast emphasizes studying successful videos obsessively, reinvesting earnings into better content, and focusing on audience retention over subscriber count.
MrBeast often features friends, employees, and occasionally holds public contests or applications for participants in his challenge videos and giveaways.
Becoming YouTube's most-subscribed individual creator and pioneering large-scale philanthropic content while building a billion-dollar business empire.
Yes, MrBeast donates significant personal funds beyond sponsored content, particularly through Beast Philanthropy and various environmental initiatives.
MrBeast's content stands out through unprecedented production budgets, genuine generosity, data-driven optimization, and massive scale rarely seen in creator media.
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