Back in 2023, YouTube megastar MrBeast—real name Jimmy Donaldson—found himself at the center of a heated debate after releasing a video in which he paid for 1,000 blind people to have life-changing surgery.
While many praised his generosity, others criticized him for turning philanthropy into content.
At the time, MrBeast defended his actions, stating, "I promise to give away all my money before I die. Every single penny."
See Also: MrBeast’s Daring New Challenge: Live In A Jet For 100 Days And Then Keep It — Are You Game?
In 2019 he also made similar statements. “I know most people prob won't believe this but my main goal in life is to just make a bunch of money, and then give it all away while doing as much good as possible before I die.”
From YouTube Creator To Billionaire
Fast forward to today, and MrBeast has officially joined the billionaire ranks. His massive empire—spanning YouTube, merchandise, food brands, and soon, an Amazon streaming deal—has propelled his net worth to $1 billion, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
However, Forbes estimates his fortune at $85 million. Leaked financial documents from his legal battle with MrBeast Burgers suggest otherwise. A 2024 court case revealed that MrBeast's businesses generated $223 million in revenue in 2023 and were on track for $700 million in 2024.
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The Business Behind The Billionaire
MrBeast's success is not just about viral videos. His empire includes:
YouTube Channels: More than 500 million followers across various channels, with over 352 million subscribers on his main channel alone.
Merchandise and Sponsorships: Millions in revenue from branded merchandise and partnerships with companies like Microsoft and Walmart.
Beast Philanthropy: A nonprofit initiative that funds large-scale charitable projects.
Streaming Expansion: A reported $100 million deal with Amazon to produce an exclusive series, further expanding his reach.
A Self-Made Billionaire Who Still Plans To Give It All Away
Unlike many ultra-wealthy individuals who inherited their fortunes, MrBeast built his empire from scratch—starting as a teenager making gaming videos on YouTube.
Born on May 7, 1998, in Greenville, North Carolina, Donaldson launched his channel under the name “MrBeast6000” at the age of just 12.
Then came his big break in 2017: a video where he counted to 100,000—yes, out loud, for 44 straight hours. That mind-boggling feat racked up over 21 million views, proving that sometimes, the internet just loves watching people do absurdly difficult things.
But he didn't stop there. MrBeast went bigger and crazier—counting to 200,000, reading the entire dictionary, reciting the entire Bee Movie script, taking an Uber across America, saying “Logan Paul” 100,000 times, and even torturing himself by watching Jake Paul's “It's Everyday Bro” on repeat for 10 excruciating hours.
With a billion-dollar empire, MrBeast is now expanding into television, gaming, and global-scale philanthropy. As he continues to balance entertainment with generosity, his rise raises important questions about wealth, charity, and the role of digital creators in shaping the world.
Photo by Joe Seer on Shutterstock
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
