You may know him by his online persona, but few recognise his real name. Jimmy Donaldson, better known to millions as MrBeast, has emerged as the world’s highest-earning YouTuber and one of the most successful
digital entrepreneurs of his generation.
Donaldson began his YouTube journey nearly a decade ago. In that short span, he has not only dominated the platform but also built a business empire that, by some estimates, has pushed his personal net worth beyond $2.3 billion. Reports suggest that by early 2026, his wealth could touch $2.6 billion, roughly Rs 234 billion.
The rise, however, was far from overnight.
MrBeast launched his YouTube channel in 2016 and crossed 30,000 subscribers within six months. Earnings were modest in the early years, but he remained consistent and uploaded videos relentlessly. To pursue content creation full-time, he dropped out of college, a decision that later defined his career.
The breakthrough came in 2017 when his video titled ‘Counting to 100,000’ went viral. The unexpected success brought both visibility and revenue, allowing him to experiment with larger-scale productions. Over the next two years, he refined his content strategy, introducing high-stakes competitions and cash giveaways that quickly became his signature style. By 2018 and 2019, MrBeast had evolved from a popular channel into a recognisable brand.
A key element of his growth was reinvestment. Donaldson repeatedly ploughed his earnings back into content, increasing production value and audience reach. That approach eventually laid the foundation for expansion beyond YouTube.
In 2020, he launched MrBeast Burger, a delivery-only food brand operating through cloud kitchens. The venture recorded millions of sales in its first year, signalling that his influence could translate into commercial success. Two years later, he introduced Feastables, a chocolate brand that proved to be a turning point. By 2024, Feastables had reportedly clocked $250 million in revenue and generated profits of around $20 million.
Financial milestones followed rapidly. By 2023, Donaldson’s net worth was estimated at $100 million and in June 2024, Forbes declared him a billionaire. His earnings for 2025 were reported at $85 million, while early 2026 estimates place his personal wealth at approximately $2.4 billion. His parent company, Beast Industries, is said to have a market valuation of nearly $5 billion.
