Jimmy Donaldson better known as MrBeast has become a household name around the world. At just 27 years old he’s the youngest self made billionaire with a net worth of $1 billion according to Celebrity Net Worth. Unlike many young billionaires who inherit their wealth Jimmy built his fortune from scratch through creativity, hard work and a unique approach to YouTube content.
Early Beginnings
Jimmy Donaldson was born on May 7, 1998 in Greenville North Carolina. At the age of 12 he started his YouTube channel under the name “MrBeast6000” in 2012. Back then his videos were simple. He made gaming content focusing on games like Minecraft and Call of Duty. He also posted reaction videos and funny compilations like guessing how much money other YouTubers earned. These early videos did not get much attention but Jimmy was determined to keep going.
He went to Greenville Christian Academy and graduated in 2016. After high school he briefly attended college but dropped out after just two weeks. He told his mom “I’d rather be poor than do anything besides YouTube.” This bold decision showed his passion for creating videos even when success was not guaranteed.
The Big Break
Jimmy’s big moment came in 2017 with a video called “I Counted to 100000.” In this video he spent 44 hours counting from 1 to 100000 out loud. It sounds crazy but the video went viral gaining over 21 million views. People loved his dedication and the wild idea behind it. This was the start of MrBeast’s rise to fame. He followed it up with even crazier stunts like counting to 200000 reading the entire dictionary and watching a music video on repeat for 10 hours. These videos were fun, unique and kept viewers hooked.
Jimmy’s content started to evolve. He began doing big challenges and giveaways like giving strangers thousands of dollars or donating cars. His videos were not just about entertainment they showed his generous side. This mix of wild stunts and kindness made him stand out on YouTube.
Building an Empire
By 2025 Jimmy’s main YouTube channel has over 396 million subscribers making it the most-subscribed channel on the platform. He also runs other channels like Beast Reacts, MrBeast Gaming and Beast Philanthropy. His videos get billions of views with one short video “Would You Fly to Paris for a Baguette?” earning over 1.5 billion views. His success comes from understanding what viewers want—exciting thumbnails, catchy titles and high energy content.
Jimmy does not just rely on YouTube for money. He’s a smart businessman. In 2020 he launched MrBeast Burger a delivery only fast food chain that made $2.3 million a month at its peak. Though he later sued the company over quality issues it showed his ability to turn fame into a business. He also started Feastables a chocolate brand that earned $10 million in just a few months. In 2024 his businesses made $223 million and they are expected to hit $700 million in 2025 according to court documents from a MrBeast Burger lawsuit.
Jimmy also makes money from ads and sponsorships. His videos get millions of views earning him around $1.4 million a month from ads alone. Brands pay up to $3 million for a shout out in his videos. He’s also invested in tech and crypto, owning Bitcoin, CryptoPunks NFTs and working with platforms like Coinbase and XCAD Network. In 2024 he signed a $100 million deal with Amazon for a reality show called Beast Games. These ventures have helped him build a $1 billion empire.
Philanthropy: Giving Back Big
What makes Jimmy unique is his focus on giving back. He started Beast Philanthropy a nonprofit that funds big charitable projects. He’s donated over 100 cars given away $1 million in a single video and raised $20 million to plant trees through Team Trees. He also helped fund cataract surgeries for 1000 blind people in 2023 though some criticized him for turning charity into content. Jimmy responded by saying “I promise to give away all my money before I die. Every single penny.” His goal is to make a positive impact and he’s kept that promise through projects like Team Seas which raised $30 million to clean oceans.
Challenges and Achievements
Jimmy’s journey has not been without challenges. He’s faced lawsuits like the one over MrBeast Burger and criticism for his philanthropy videos. Some former employees have also claimed he can be tough to work with when the cameras are off. Despite this, Jimmy stays focused. He employs over 250 people and reinvests most of his earnings into his videos keeping less than $1 million in his bank account. He even manages Crohn’s disease, a health condition while maintaining a busy schedule.
His hard work has earned him awards like the 2020 Streamy Awards for Creator of the Year and Social Good Creator. In 2022 he became the most subscribed YouTuber surpassing T-Series. He also holds a Guinness World Record for being the first person to hit 1 million followers on Threads.
Personal Life and Future
In January 2025 Jimmy announced his engagement to Thea Booysen sharing sweet moments on Instagram. He lives simply in a $320000 house and focuses on his work rather than personal wealth. Looking ahead Jimmy plans to expand his businesses into animation, gaming and more. His company, Beast Industries, is aiming for $4.8 billion in revenue by 2029.
Why MrBeast Inspires
Jimmy Donaldson’s story is inspiring because it shows what’s possible with hard work and creativity. From a 12 year old making simple videos to a 27 year old billionaire he’s changed the game for YouTubers. His focus on giving back while building a massive empire sets him apart. As he continues to create, give and grow MrBeast proves that success is about more than money it’s about making a difference.