MrBeast is the biggest YouTuber in the world. His real name is Jimmy Donaldson. He is known for giant challenges, huge cash giveaways, and big charity projects.
This MrBeast biography covers his age, family, career, businesses, and wealth. It is updated as of October 18, 2026.
Quick Facts About MrBeast
| Detail | Info |
| Real name | James Stephen Donaldson |
| Known as | MrBeast, Jimmy Donaldson |
| Date of birth | May 7, 1998 |
| Birthplace | Wichita, Kansas, USA |
| Age in 2026 | 28 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Raised in | Greenville, North Carolina |
| Occupation | YouTuber, entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Spouse / Partner | Thea Booysen (m. July 2026) |
| Main company | Beast Industries |
| Main channel subscribers | 520 million+ (Wikipedia / Guinness World Records) |
| Forbes creator earnings (2026) | $300 million |
| Reported net worth | ~$2.6 billion (valuation-based) |
Who Is MrBeast?
MrBeast is an American YouTuber, media personality, businessman, philanthropist, and actor. Moreover, his main channel is now the most subscribed on YouTube.
He mixes entertainment with giving. As a result, his videos draw viewers of every age, and his name now sits beside famous celebrities in pop culture.
What Is MrBeast’s Real Name?
MrBeast’s real name is James Stephen Donaldson. Fans and the press call him Jimmy Donaldson. His old channel name was MrBeast6000.
Sources sometimes spell his middle name “Steven.” However, his business filing uses “Stephen,” so that is the safer spelling.
How Old Is MrBeast? Birthday and Date of Birth
His birthday is May 7, 1998. That makes him 28 years old in 2026.
He was born on a Thursday in Wichita, Kansas. Consequently, many readers ask about MrBeast’s age in 2026, since he built a global empire so young.
Where Is MrBeast From? Is He American?
Yes, MrBeast is American. He is not from the UK. He was born in Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Greenville, North Carolina.
So when people ask “Is MrBeast from the USA or UK?”, the answer is the USA. He still lives in North Carolina, close to where he grew up. Many famous YouTubers build their brands in big cities, but he stayed in his hometown area.
MrBeast Early Life and Family
He was born to Susan Parisher and Charles Donaldson. Both of his parents served in the military. Because of this, he moved around a lot as a child.
His mother worked as a military prison warden in Germany before being stationed in Kansas. In addition, he spent much of his childhood with au pairs while his parents worked long hours.
MrBeast’s brother: He has an older brother named Charles “CJ” Donaldson, who is also a digital content creator.
MrBeast Education
He went to Greenville Christian Academy. There he played baseball as an outfielder for several years.
Afterward, he briefly enrolled at Pitt Community College (and attended East Carolina University briefly) in late 2016 before dropping out to focus on YouTube full-time. In hindsight, that choice shaped his whole career. If you like stories of dropouts who built empires, read about other successful entrepreneurs.
MrBeast Relationship Status & Marriage
MrBeast was previously known to keep his private life quiet. He began dating South African author and content creator Thea Booysen in 2022.
The couple got engaged on Christmas in 2024 and officially married in July 2026 during a celebration on Necker Island.
How Did MrBeast Become Famous?
He started his YouTube channel in 2012, when he was 13. At first he posted Minecraft clips and comedy videos. Nobody watched them for years.
By mid-2016, he had only about 30,000 subscribers. Then he studied the YouTube algorithm hard. Soon after, his videos began to take off.
His big break came in 2017, when he counted to 100,000 on camera. After that, he moved to costly stunts and cash giveaways. In short, he became famous by making bigger and bolder videos than anyone else.
What Is MrBeast Famous For?
He is famous for three things:
- Large cash challenges and giveaways
- High-budget, movie-style videos
- Big charity projects
For example, he recreated Squid Game in November 2021, with 456 contestants and a $456,000 prize. That video became one of his most watched.
Furthermore, he pays for eye surgeries, builds wells, and gives away homes and cars. This blend of fun and giving made him one of the most talented creators of his time.
MrBeast YouTube Career and Milestones
His career grew step by step:
- 2012: He starts his channel at age 13.
- 2016: He reaches about 30,000 subscribers.
- 2017: He goes viral with expensive challenge videos.
- 2018: He backs PewDiePie in the T-Series race.
- 2022: He passes 100 million subscribers on July 28, setting a Guinness record.
- 2024: He becomes the most subscribed channel on YouTube.
- June 2026: He becomes the first channel in history to pass 500 million subscribers.
Along with the main channel, he runs several others. They include MrBeast Gaming, Beast Reacts, and Beast Philanthropy. The MrBeast gaming channel covers game challenges, while the others cover reactions and charity.
MrBeast Subscribers and Stats
His main channel has more than 520 million subscribers and is the most subscribed on YouTube. Also, he is among the most followed accounts on TikTok.
| Stat | Number |
| Main channel subscribers | 520 million+ |
| Guinness record | Most subscribers, individual male |
| Squid Game video prize | $456,000 |
| Beast Industries staff (2026) | ~750 |
MrBeast Businesses and Ventures
His companies sit under Beast Industries, a private company managing his media and commercial brands.
- Feastables: This is his chocolate and snack brand launched in 2022 that now sells in major retail stores globally.
- Step Acquisition (Fintech): In early 2026, Beast Industries acquired youth mobile banking app Step to expand into financial literacy tools for Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
- Shark Tank (TV): In July 2026, ABC announced Jimmy Donaldson as a guest investor on Season 18 of Shark Tank.
- Beast Games: His record-breaking Amazon Prime reality competition series that premiered in late 2024.
- MrBeast Burger: Launched in 2020 as a delivery-only ghost kitchen restaurant.
- Lunchly: A pre-packaged lunch kit brand launched in late 2024 with KSI and Logan Paul.
- MrBeast merchandise: Apparel and merchandise sold globally.
MrBeast Net Worth in 2026
MrBeast’s net worth is reported at about $2.6 billion. However, this is a paper figure. Fortune reported it in 2026 based on his majority ownership stake in Beast Industries.
Fortune reports that Beast Industries holds a valuation of $5 billion. He owns slightly more than half of it.
His wealth stays mostly inside the company. In interviews, he has noted that he keeps his liquidity low because profits are reinvested into business equity, production scale, and humanitarian work.
MrBeast Income and YouTube Earnings
Forbes tracks creator earnings. It estimated he earned $85 million in 2023–2024. In 2026, the figure jumped significantly.
Forbes estimated $300 million in gross creator earnings between March 2025 and March 2026, ranking him #1 on its global top creators list.
MrBeast’s exact salary, monthly income, and per-video earnings are not publicly disclosed. Treat specific “per-video” numbers as estimates, while relying on Forbes for official annual figures.
MrBeast Charity Work and Philanthropy
- Team Trees (2019): Raised over $20 million with Mark Rober to plant 20 million trees globally.
- Team Seas (2021): Raised over $30 million to remove trash and plastics from oceans and rivers.
- Beast Philanthropy: A non-profit entity and channel dedicated to food distribution, clean water wells, housing, and emergency disaster relief.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is MrBeast’s real name?
His real name is James Stephen Donaldson. People also call him Jimmy Donaldson.
How old is MrBeast in 2026?
He is 28 years old. He was born on May 7, 1998.
Is MrBeast married?
Yes, he married content creator and author Thea Booysen in July 2026.
What is MrBeast’s net worth?
He is reported to be worth about $2.6 billion, based on his equity stake in Beast Industries ($5B valuation).
How much does MrBeast make per year?
Forbes estimated $300 million in creator earnings from March 2025 to March 2026.
Where does MrBeast live?
He lives in North Carolina, near his hometown of Greenville.
Is MrBeast American?
Yes, he was born in Kansas and raised in North Carolina.
How many subscribers does MrBeast have?
His main channel surpassed 500 million subscribers in June 2026 and currently holds over 520 million subscribers.
Credible Sources & References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica Profile: Britannica – MrBeast Biography
- Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia – MrBeast
- Biography.com: Biography.com – Jimmy Donaldson
- Forbes Top Creators List: Forbes Top Creators Profile
- Guinness World Records: Guinness – Most Subscribed Individual YouTuber