At the age of 25, baby-faced Jimmy Donaldson – aka MrBeast – is already the world’s richest YouTuber, with an estimated net worth of over $500 million.
He is also the channel’s “biggest philanthropist.” His viral videos are based on extravagant stunts in which he offers lavish gifts to unwitting members of the public.
But despite his well-documented philanthropy, there have been previous allegations of workplace bullying — and as his fame grows, the investigation is likely to only increase.
Here, DailyMail.com looks at the story behind his rise – and the dangers of rising fame on the social media star.
Jimmy Donaldson – aka MrBeast – is already the world’s richest YouTuber, with an estimated net worth of over $500 million
Born in Wichita, Kansas, the 25-year-old is on track to become the channel’s first billionaire and is known as its “biggest philanthropist.”
INNOVATOR AND PILANTHROPIST
Born in Wichita, Kansas, before growing up in Greenville, North Carolina, Donaldson uploaded his first YouTube video in February 2012, when he was 13.
His early content revolved around harmless pranks with friends.
His first hit was a video in which he took four hours to count to 100,000. As his following grew, Donaldson moved into the lavish giveaways that have become his trademark.
It started small, giving away cash prizes to members of his community, but it quickly gained momentum and in 2018 he donated $100,000 worth of products to a homeless shelter.
He has since repeated the dose for an Uber driver, a waitress, and people in parking lots.
In one video, he dropped $20,000 from a drone and gave a pizza man the house he was delivering to as a tip.
Gareth Boyd, head of growth at Finty. comsays Donaldson outgrew other YouTubers because his stunts, which aren’t limited to charitable giving, were “totally and utterly different from anything else anyone was doing.”
“Going to a football field and seeing who can hold a plane the longest — what other TV show does that?” he added.
Donaldson himself has credited his success to innovative thinking and calculated risk-taking.
He also has an eye for new opportunities and brand deals, expanding his YouTube empire into the food and beverage sector.
His success is based on extravagant stunts that set him apart from his rivals
Donaldson has also quickly expanded his empire, striking a deal with Walmart to sell his chocolate bar, Feastables.
A recent project includes MrBeast Burger, a delivery service that sold more than a million burgers before Donaldson even uploaded a video.
He’s also launched smartphone apps, started video game tournaments, and struck a deal with Walmart to sell his Feastables chocolate bar.
A REALLY NICE GUY?
Most of Donaldson’s giveaways are funded by brand deals and ad revenue.
His philanthropy, as is often the case, is not devoid of self-interest.
In a 2018 video, his mother repeatedly refutes his attempts to give her a $100,000 check. Donaldson quips, “If I don’t give it to you, I don’t have a viral video.” His mother asks, “So you’re using me for views?” To which he replies: ‘Yes, but you also get money, so we are both happy.’
It’s a relatively simple model: the small amounts of money generated by his first videos were reinvested into producing increasingly ambitious stunts, which in turn generated bigger revenues. The cycle continues.
How much Donaldson earns for himself is unclear.
A clip of him tipping a waitress with a car was slammed by some as a blatant publicity grab
Donaldson says he ‘really enjoys helping people’ and describes himself as ‘a really nice guy’
He hit back at critics who criticized him for paying to cure the blindness of 1,000 people. He was accused of using patients for financial gain
Jeremiah was given $50,000 to spend on his college education after his surgery
In 2021, it was reported that less than half (45 percent) of his revenue was reinvested in his channel.
His stunts divide opinion. In January, he released a video showing dozens of people from the US and around the world who had severe cataracts removed with the help of a non-profit eye care organization.
Some critics wondered if he was kind to clicks, but the doctor who performed the surgery said many patients had benefited from it.
Likewise, he was criticized online for tipping a young waitress a new car with logos — with several slamming the gesture as a blatant publicity grab.
Donaldson – for his part – explained his generosity in a video in 2018. “I really enjoy helping people,” he said. “It’s something I’ve had a problem with, I’m such a nice guy. I don’t know why – and I’m not just saying this to look good – I’ve just always been a really nice guy.”
TOXIC WORKPLACE CULTURE
But that description has been challenged by some of those who worked for him.
2021, The New York Times reported that 11 people who worked for the YouTuber said his “attitude changed when the cameras weren’t around” and described “a tough work environment.”
Donaldson is dogged by allegations of workplace toxicity. Matt Turner, an editor for Donaldson from 2018 to 2019, said he was called names almost daily.
Matt Turner, an editor for Donaldson from 2018 to 2019, said he was berated almost daily and posted a video explaining the allegations.
He also wrote in a now-deleted Twitter thread that he was “bailed at, bullied every day… and called expendable by MrBeast,” according to The New York Times.
Nate Anderson, who worked for Donaldson for a week, also claimed that the YouTuber was a perfectionist who made unreasonable demands.
Gareth Boyd believes such allegations could be particularly damaging to Donaldson’s business model, which previously relied on an impression of sympathy.
“His personal brand is that he’s an average guy who reinvests his money and he does it for fun,” says Boyd. “He doesn’t drive around in a Lamborghini, he gives them away.
“But as he gets more and more popular, the smaller circle he has — he’s still pretty much surrounded by childhood friends — there will be a few that eventually leave and leak stories and somehow the inside accounts will come out. ‘