MrBeast joins billionaire club at 27, becomes youngest self-made member

Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has reached a historic milestone—he is now reportedly worth $1 billion, making him the world’s youngest self-made billionaire at the age of 27. According to a report by Celebrity Net Worth, Donaldson joins an exclusive list of billionaires, standing out as the only one under 30 who built his fortune independently.

Early beginnings and viral fame

MrBeast began his YouTube journey in 2012, uploading videos under the username “MrBeast6000.” Starting with gaming and reaction content, his big break came in 2017 with “I Counted to 100,000,” a 44-hour video that gained millions of views. Donaldson dropped out of college to focus full-time on YouTube, reinvesting his earnings to create increasingly ambitious content.

Growth and content reinvestment

His approach to reinvesting most of his video revenue into production has enabled massive growth. From challenge videos to philanthropic acts, MrBeast’s main YouTube channel became the most subscribed globally by June 2024. He also localised content by launching dubbed channels in over ten languages, helping him grow an international fanbase.

Donaldson has expanded far beyond the platform that launched him. His ventures include:

MrBeast Burger: A virtual fast-food chain launched in 2020, generating up to $2.3 million per month before he pulled out due to quality issues.

Feastables: A chocolate brand that made over $10 million shortly after launch.

Juice Funds: A $2 million initiative investing in emerging creators.

Crypto investments: Including Bitcoin, CryptoPunks NFTs, and stakes in platforms like Coinbase and XCAD Network.

Court filings in 2024 revealed MrBeast earned $223 million in 2023, with projections of $700 million for 2024. He has also donated extensively through Beast Philanthropy, including 1,000 cataract surgeries, 100+ cars, and millions in giveaways. He remains committed to giving away his entire fortune during his lifetime.