Larger than life figures come in many ways and do their work in a plethora of industries. While historically it has been athletes, actors, and musicians as the most popular and influential people, things are a little bit different in the modern, digital, IT world. In the 21st century, internet personalities are some of the most popular and famous people on the planet. Fame and reach can clearly be measured in social media parameters like views, subscribers, likes, comments, and follows. And on YouTube, nobody comes close to the star of this article.
James Stephen “Jimmy” Donaldson, far better known by his online alias MrBeast, is the most famous and successful YouTuber. A media personality and businessman, his videos have touched on so many topics and broken so many records. Recently, MrBeast signed a deal with Kick to promote his latest philanthropic effort. But how exactly did he build his $100 million empire through the video sharing website, and is there more to his career than content? If you are a fan of popular online culture, read on to learn more.
2012-2015: Humble Beginnings
Jimmy Donaldson started his YouTube channel in February 2012 at the age of 13. Initially, he posted content ranging from Let’s Plays (Minecraft and Call of Duty) to videos estimating other YouTubers’ wealth. His early content had little traction as he spent years uploading videos that received only a few hundred views. Still, he was obsessed with understanding the platform. He studied the algorithm, experimented with titles and thumbnails, and watched how other creators went viral. This foundation would become crucial later.
2016-2017: Viral Breakthrough and Audience Growth
In 2017, MrBeast gained widespread attention by uploading a video titled “I Counted to 100,000”, which took him over 40 hours to film. The bizarre endurance challenge went viral, and he followed it up with similar content where he was reading the dictionary, saying “Logan Paul” 100,000 times, and more. These videos were unique, oddly satisfying, strange, and algorithm friendly. He quickly built a loyal fan base. By the end of 2017, he grew to 1 million subs, enough for ad revenue of $20,000-$30,000 per month. He was now making enough money from YouTube ads to start reinvesting back into his videos, a tactic that would define his brand.
2018-2019: Reinvestment and Philanthropy Branding
MrBeast pioneered the idea of turning YouTube ad revenue into viral, philanthropic content. He gave away thousands of dollars to strangers, tipped pizza delivery drivers with houses, and handed out cash in creative ways. This generosity was not just for show. It was strategic. Each viral video funded the next, creating a snowball effect. The top sponsors he attracted along the way involved Honey and Quidd, while TikTok began backing his videos with six figure sponsorship deals. The subscriber count by the end of 2019? Around 10 million, while his estimated earnings grew to $2-4 million per year. His content became synonymous with massive giveaways, turning MrBeast into a brand people trusted and rooted for.
2020-2021: Business Expansion and Empire Building
As MrBeast’s YouTube channel exploded, so did his ambitions. He expanded beyond content creation into business ventures, further multiplying his income streams. In December 2020, he launched MrBeast Burger, a virtual restaurant chain operating through delivery apps. With over 1,000 locations across the USA and international markets, the brand was a hit. It had an estimated revenue of $100 million in its first year, with Jimmy’s share being $10-20 million.
He launched a dedicated channel focused on charity work, where 100% of ad revenue is donated. It also helps fund food pantries and housing projects, enhancing his philanthropic brand. By now, he was earning $12 million per video, combined from ad revenue and sponsorships. Shopify, Coinbase, Current, and many other sponsors came knocking. Subscribers grew to 90 million by the end of 2021, while annual earnings were $30-50 million.
2022-2025: Scaling, Media, and Business Empire
MrBeast doubled down on global expansion and diversified monetization. He launched dubbed channels to reach non English speaking audiences. This grew his global footprint and ad revenue substantially. He entered the snack market with Feastables, a line of healthy chocolate bars and snacks. Launched in partnership with top e-commerce operators, the brand quickly landed shelf space in major retailers like Walmart. Its 2023 revenue was estimated to $10-20 million, while MrBeast holds equity and uses YouTube to promote directly.
He also invested in startups and ventures, including Backbone (gaming controller startup), Current (fintech), and Creative Juice (creator funding platform). By 2024, MrBeast had surpassed 250 million subscribers, becoming the most subscribed individual creator on YouTube. Across all of his channels, he has 431 million subscribers and 94 billion views. His brand evolved from being just a creator to a media mogul.
MrBeast FAQs
MrBeast is too big a persona, an internet phenomenon, to only cover his work in terms of YouTube career earnings and net worth. There are many things about him that fans fail to realize and do not know. With that in mind, here are some frequently asked questions about Jimmy that every fan, and anyone who wants to keep up with the internet pop culture, should be familiar with.
- How does MrBeast afford to give away millions of dollars?
He reinvests the revenue from his viral videos, brand deals, and sponsorships directly back into new, often bigger, content. His businesses, like MrBeast Burger and Feastables, also generate significant income that he uses to make even crazier and more ambitious projects. - What is the most expensive video MrBeast has ever made?
As of now, one of his most expensive videos was a real life recreation of Squid Game, which reportedly cost over $3.5 million to produce. - Does MrBeast actually pick giveaway winners fairly?
Yes, he is known for being transparent and fair in his giveaways. The winners often share their experiences online, which adds credibility to their reputation. - What is something surprising about MrBeast that most fans do not know?
He suffers from Crohn’s disease, a chronic illness, and has openly discussed managing his health true a strict diet while maintaining an intense production schedule. - Has MrBeast ever been involved in philanthropy outside YouTube?
Yes, he co founded Team Trees, Team Seas, and Team Water, global campaigns that raised millions to plant trees, remove trash from the ocean, and deliver clean water to communities that lack it. - How involved is MrBeast in the production of his videos?
- Despite having a large team, MrBeast is heavily involved in the planning, scripting, editing, and presenting his videos to maintain his creative vision.
