James Stephen Donaldson, born on May 7, 1998, is an American YouTuber, internet personality, and businessman known as MrBeast. He gained fame for his high-energy videos that often include challenging tasks and generous giveaways. With a massive following of over 330 million subscribers, he holds the record for the most subscribers on YouTube. Additionally, he is the third most followed creator on TikTok with over 104 million fans, and has a strong presence on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) with over 60 million and 30.9 million followers, respectively.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | James Stephen Donaldson |
| Date of Birth | May 7, 1998 (age 26) |
| Place of Birth | Wichita, Kansas, U.S. |
| Origin | Greenville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Other Names | Jimmy Donaldson, MrBeast, MrBeast6000 |
| Education | Greenville Christian Academy |
| Occupations | YouTuber, Entrepreneur, Influencer |
| Website | mrbeast.store |
| YouTube Channel | MrBeast |
| Years Active | 2012–present |
| Genres | Challenge, Vlog, Gaming, React |
| Subscribers (Main) | 337 million |
| Total Views (Main) | 67.2 billion |
| Associated Acts | Karl Jacobs, PewDiePie, Gordon Ramsay |
| Net Worth | 1 billion |
Early Life
James Stephen Donaldson, known as MrBeast, was born on May 7, 1998, in Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Greenville, North Carolina. He frequently moved and was cared for by au pairs due to his parents’ long work hours and military service. His parents divorced in 2007.
Donaldson graduated from Greenville Christian Academy in 2016 and briefly attended East Carolina University before dropping out. While in high school, he played baseball as an outfielder.
After leaving college, he and his friends focused on understanding YouTube’s recommendation algorithm to create viral content.
YouTube Career
In February 2012, at just 13 years old, James Donaldson, known as MrBeast, uploaded his first YouTube video as “MrBeast6000”.
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Initially creating Let’s Plays focusing on Minecraft and Call of Duty: Black Ops II, as well as videos estimating the wealth of other YouTubers and offering tips to upcoming creators. By 2015, he gained popularity with his “Worst Intros on YouTube” series, reaching around 30,000 subscribers by mid-2016.
Dropping out of East Carolina University that fall to pursue YouTube full-time, he faced disapproval from his mother, leading him to move out. As his channel grew, Donaldson enlisted childhood friends to help, with four friends initially contributing.
By 2018, he had given away $1 million through his unique stunts, earning the title of “YouTube’s biggest philanthropist”. He gained further recognition for supporting PewDiePie during the PewDiePie vs T-Series rivalry and conducting real-life battle royale competitions.
Despite facing accusations of using counterfeit money in a video, he clarified the use of fake money for safety reasons. Donaldson’s innovative live events, including rock, paper, scissors and trivia competitions with large cash prizes, have also attracted widespread attention.
In January 2021, Donaldson released “YouTube Rewind 2020, Thank God It’s Over”, inspired by PewDiePie’s 2018 Rewind.
He signed a distribution deal with Jellysmack in February 2021. In November 2021, he uploaded a real-life version of Squid Game, awarding a $456,000 prize.
By December 2021, Donaldson hosted an influencer tournament with a $1 million grand prize. Forbes named him YouTube’s highest earner for 2021, making an estimated $54 million.
In July 2022, he reached 100 million subscribers, and in November, he set a Guinness World Record for the most subscribers for an individual male.
By October 2023, he surpassed 200 million subscribers, and in June 2024, he became the most-subscribed channel on YouTube, surpassing T-Series.
Donaldson made history again in July 2024 by being the first YouTuber to surpass 300 million subscribers, and his special video “50 YouTubers Fight for $1,000,000” garnered tremendous views within its first 24 hours.
Business Ventures
In June 2020, YouTuber MrBeast collaborated with art collective MSCHF to release a multiplayer mobile game called Finger on the App, where the last person touching the screen wins $25,000.
Four winners claimed $20,000 each after over 70 hours of gameplay. The success led to a sequel, Finger on the App 2, delayed to March 2021 due to technical issues.
MrBeast also launched a virtual restaurant called MrBeast Burger with plans for franchising.
In 2024, Feastables introduced a new shape and formula for its chocolate bars and later partnered with Olajide “KSI” Olatunji and Logan Paul to create the Lunchly brand of snack kits. This venture faced criticism over marketing tactics and nutritional concerns.
Controversies
There have been several controversies surrounding MrBeast, including allegations of a difficult work environment by former employees, disputes over the quality and partnership of MrBeast Burger, and allegations against cast member Ava Kris Tyson of sexual misconduct.
MrBeast has denied many of these claims and hired an independent investigator to look into the matter. In addition, there have been accusations of rigging contests, running illegal lotteries, and poor working conditions at the company.
A class action lawsuit has also been filed against MrBeast and associated companies for mistreatment, harassment, and unpaid expenses.
Philanthropy
MrBeast, along with former NASA engineer Mark Rober, launched philanthropic campaigns such as #TeamTrees and #TeamSeas to raise funds for tree planting and ocean cleanup projects.
These initiatives garnered support from various content creators and businesses, exceeding their fundraising goals and making a significant impact.
MrBeast also founded Beast Philanthropy, a YouTube channel dedicated to charitable giving, with initiatives including donating turkeys, shoes, wells, and technology to those in need. 100% of the channel’s revenue goes towards supporting these charitable endeavors.
Personal Life
MrBeast, known for his philanthropic efforts, describes himself as an introvert with a withdrawn lifestyle due to frequent relocations and struggles with Crohn’s disease.
He dated Maddy Spidell before starting a relationship with Thea Booysen in 2022.
He declined an invitation to a submersible expedition that tragically ended in disaster.
Politically, MrBeast considers himself apolitical to avoid affecting his charity work. He has expressed interest in running for U.S. president in the future and clarified his stance on lowering the age requirements on a social media post.
In terms of LGBT issues, he transitioned from being an evangelical Christian to identifying as an agnostic theist and has distanced himself from past homophobic behavior, acknowledging growth and maturity.
MrBeast Net Worth
MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, has an estimated net worth of approximately $1 billion as of 2024. This figure reflects his extensive business ventures and significant earnings from YouTube, merchandise, and sponsorships.
Awards and Nominations
MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, has garnered numerous awards and nominations throughout his career. Here are some of the notable recognitions:
- Streamy Awards
- Creator of the Year: Won in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
- Collaboration: Won in 2023 for his collaborative efforts.
- Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards
- Favorite Male Creator: Won in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
- Shorty Awards
- Vlogger of the Year: Won in 2020 for his impactful content and philanthropic initiatives.
- Time Magazine
- Named in the 100 Most Influential People list in 2023, recognizing his significant influence on social media and philanthropy.
In total, MrBeast has achieved 14 wins and received 7 nominations across various prestigious platforms. His contributions to entertainment and philanthropy have made him a prominent figure in the digital landscape.
