MrBeast becomes first YouTuber to hit 400 mn subscribers

Jimmy Donaldson, famously known as MrBeast, has officially shattered YouTube records by becoming the first content creator to cross 400 million subscribers on the platform. 

In doing so, he has widened his lead over previous titleholder T-Series by a staggering 100 million subscribers, cementing his place as the most-followed individual in YouTube history.

This milestone arrives nearly a year after MrBeast overtook the Indian music giant in June 2024, when he proudly declared on X (formerly Twitter) that he had finally "avenged" Felix Kjellberg—better known as PewDiePie—who lost the top spot to T-Series back in 2019. At the time, Donaldson cheekily commented that it took “a massive corporate entity with every song in Bollywood” to dethrone PewDiePie, referencing a diss track the Swedish YouTuber released in response to T-Series' rise.

What began in 2012 as a teenager’s side hobby in North Carolina—with gaming videos and a DIY setup—has exploded into a content empire built on audacious stunts, philanthropy, and viral generosity. His breakout moment came in 2017 with “I Counted to 100,000,” a 44-hour video that now has over 30 million views.

Since then, he’s redefined the scale of YouTube content. From burying himself alive to recreating Squid Game with a $3.5 million budget, MrBeast’s content blends spectacle with sincerity. He’s handed out everything from luxury cars and private islands to life-changing medical help—like the 1,000 eye surgeries he funded in 2023, a move that drew both praise and polarized debate online.

400 million subscribers and now a billion-dollar fortune

Alongside this digital dominance, MrBeast has become the world’s first billionaire content creator, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His fortune—estimated at $1 billion in 2024—is powered not only by YouTube ad revenue but also by an expanding business portfolio.

In 2020, he launched MrBeast Burger through ghost kitchens. Though the fast-food venture initially surged in popularity, it later became mired in controversy, leading Donaldson to file a lawsuit in 2023 against Virtual Dining Concepts over quality concerns. Meanwhile, his snack brand Feastables, launched in 2022, saw roaring success—reportedly raking in $10 million in just a few months.

He’s also dipped into creator-focused funding with Juice Funds, a $2 million investment initiative, and has invested in crypto assets and NFTs, including Bitcoin and CryptoPunks. Beyond business, his nonprofit Beast Philanthropy continues to deliver massive-scale aid—from food banks to disaster relief efforts.

India, Bollywood, and a side of chocolate

In December 2024, MrBeast surprised fans by teaming up with T-Series for a collaboration during his India visit to launch Feastables in the country. The Instagram reel of their meeting, complete with a Bollywood-style welcome, sent fans into a frenzy and showcased MrBeast’s global appeal—even turning a former rivalry into brand synergy.

Yet it’s the numbers that speak loudest. According to court documents related to his food business dispute, MrBeast earned $223 million in 2023 and is projected to generate $700 million in revenue in 2024. 

Forbes also named him the top creator of the year, a climb from an earlier net worth estimate of $85 million.