Jimmy Donaldson, widely known as “MrBeast,” stands as one of YouTube’s biggest stars with 239 million subscribers and a business empire generating between $500 million to $700 million in revenue. Despite his immense success, Donaldson considers himself anything but wealthy at the moment, revealing in a recent interview with Time that all the money he earns is promptly reinvested back into his various ventures.
The heart of Donaldson’s empire is his YouTube channel, the platform’s most followed, boasting over 750 videos since its launch in 2012. His content, a mix of elaborate competition-show challenges and generous acts of charity, regularly garners millions of views, translating to several million dollars in ad revenue and brand sponsorships.
In addition to YouTube success, Donaldson has diversified into various businesses. Feastables, his line of chocolate bars, reportedly rakes in $100 million a year, and MrBeast Burger, a delivery-only restaurant launched during the pandemic, further expands his culinary footprint. Tech ventures include ViewStats, a data analytics firm, and Creator Global, offering language dubbing for online video content.
Despite the impressive revenue streams, Donaldson claims none of his companies are profitable as they continue to reinvest every dollar earned. The decision, while risky, has proven successful, with Donaldson stating, “I’ve reinvested everything to the point of—you could claim—stupidity, just believing that we would succeed. And it’s worked out.”
Interestingly, Donaldson doesn’t manage the financial side of his businesses. His mother, Susan Parisher, serves as chief compliance officer and controls the company’s finances, a unique arrangement in the world of influencers. Donaldson acknowledges, “I don’t have access to any of my bank accounts.”
Reports indicate that despite his considerable success, Donaldson was seeking investors in 2022 for a stake in his business, with a valuation reaching $1.5 billion—an unprecedented move for an influencer. The latest buzz surrounds his potential deal with Amazon Prime Video for a streaming show, rumored to be around $100 million.
While the financial details of Donaldson’s empire remain under wraps, his commitment to reinvestment reflects a unique approach in the world of social media influencers, setting him apart as both a business mogul and a philanthropic force.
