History of MrBeast in Timeline
"MrBeast", whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, is a massively popular American YouTuber known for his high-energy videos featuring challenging stunts and generous giveaways. He holds the title of most-subscribed channel on YouTube with over 300 million subscribers. His influence extends to TikTok, where he commands a following exceeding 100 million, making him one of the platform's most-followed figures.
May 7, 1998: Birth of MrBeast
On May 7, 1998, James Stephen Donaldson, known online as MrBeast, was born in Wichita, Kansas.
2007: MrBeast's Parents Divorce
In 2007, MrBeast's parents divorced. He continued to live primarily with his mother in Greenville, North Carolina.
February 2012: First YouTube Upload
In February 2012, at the age of 13, MrBeast uploaded his first video to YouTube under the name "MrBeast6000." His early content included Let's Plays, primarily of Minecraft and Call of Duty, and videos analyzing other YouTubers' wealth.
2012: MrBeast Starts YouTube Journey
In 2012, at the age of 13, a young Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, began his YouTube journey by posting videos under the username "MrBeast6000." His early content included Let's Plays, videos analyzing other YouTubers' wealth, and tips for aspiring creators.
2015: Gaining Popularity
MrBeast started to gain traction on YouTube in 2015 with his "Worst Intros on YouTube" series, where he humorously critiqued the introductions of other YouTube videos.
2016: Decision to Pursue YouTube Full-Time
By mid-2016, MrBeast had amassed around 30,000 subscribers. In the fall of that year, he made the significant decision to drop out of East Carolina University to focus entirely on his YouTube career, a choice that led to him moving out of his family home due to his mother's disapproval.
2016: Graduation and Dropping Out of College
In 2016, MrBeast graduated from Greenville Christian Academy and briefly attended East Carolina University before dropping out to pursue his YouTube career full-time.
January 2017: "Counting to 100,000" Video
In January 2017, MrBeast released the video "counting to 100,000." The video, which took him 40 hours to film, became his breakout hit and significantly increased his popularity.
2017: Viral Breakthrough
MrBeast's video "counting to 100,000" went viral in 2017, propelling him to new heights of popularity on YouTube.
2018: "YouTube's Biggest Philanthropist"
By 2018, MrBeast had given away over $1 million through his videos, earning him the nickname "YouTube's Biggest Philanthropist."
2018: Supporting PewDiePie
During the 2018 PewDiePie vs. T-Series competition, MrBeast showed his support for PewDiePie by buying billboards and TV and radio ads encouraging viewers to subscribe to PewDiePie's channel. He even bought Super Bowl tickets for himself and his team, who wore shirts that spelled out "Sub 2 PewDiePie."
2018: PewDiePie Inspires MrBeast's Rewind
MrBeast cited PewDiePie's 2018 Rewind as a source of inspiration for his own take on the year-end YouTube recap.
March 2019: Real-Life Battle Royale
In March 2019, MrBeast partnered with Electronic Arts to host a real-life battle royale competition in Los Angeles based on the video game Apex Legends. The event, sponsored by EA, had a prize pool of $200,000.
October 2019: #TeamTrees Begins Planting Trees in US National Parks
In October 2019, the #TeamTrees initiative, launched by MrBeast and Mark Rober, began planting trees in national parks across the United States. The project aimed to plant trees using the funds raised for the Arbor Day Foundation.
October 25, 2019: MrBeast and Mark Rober Launch #TeamTrees Initiative
On October 25, 2019, MrBeast and fellow YouTuber Mark Rober initiated #TeamTrees, a collaborative fundraising challenge aimed at raising \$20 million for the Arbor Day Foundation by January 1, 2020, to plant trees by December 2022. The initiative gained support from numerous YouTubers and resulted in tree planting efforts commencing in October 2019.
November 23, 2019: "I Opened A FREE BANK" Controversy
MrBeast faced criticism for using counterfeit money in his video "I Opened A FREE BANK," published on November 23, 2019. He later clarified that he used fake money for safety reasons and that participants received real checks after filming.
January 1, 2020: #TeamTrees Fundraising Deadline
January 1st, 2020 marked the fundraising deadline for the #TeamTrees initiative launched by MrBeast and Mark Rober. The project aimed to raise \$20 million for the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees.
April 2020: Record-Breaking Rock, Paper, Scissors Stream
In April 2020, MrBeast hosted a rock, paper, scissors competition on YouTube that drew 662,000 concurrent viewers, making it the platform's most-watched live Original event at the time. The competition featured 32 influencers and a $250,000 prize, which was won by Nadeshot.
June 2020: Launch of "Finger on the App" Game
MrBeast, in partnership with MSCHF, launched a mobile game called "Finger on the App" in June 2020, where the last person to lift their finger from the screen won a cash prize.
September 17, 2020: MrBeast Launches Beast Philanthropy YouTube Channel
MrBeast launched his Beast Philanthropy YouTube channel on September 17, 2020, announcing the establishment of a charity and food bank. Darren Margolias, a familiar face from previous videos, was appointed as executive director. The channel's revenue streams, including advertising, brand deals, and merchandise sales, are entirely dedicated to charitable causes.
October 2020: Influencer Trivia Tournament
MrBeast organized another influencer tournament in October 2020, this time a trivia competition with 24 participants and a $300,000 prize. The tournament was won by Charli and Dixie D'Amelio, but their victory sparked controversy over allegations of cheating.
November 2020: MrBeast Burger Virtual Restaurant Announced
Plans for MrBeast Burger, a virtual restaurant concept, were revealed in November 2020. The restaurant partnered with Virtual Dining Concepts to sell franchise rights and offer delivery-only service.
December 2020: MrBeast Burger Launches
MrBeast Burger officially launched in December 2020, making its debut in the virtual restaurant scene.
2020: Jake Franklin Leaves, Karl Jacobs Joins
In 2020, Jake Franklin left the MrBeast team, and Karl Jacobs, who had previously worked as a cameraman, was promoted to fill the vacancy.
2020: MrBeast Creates His Own Version of YouTube Rewind
In 2020, dissatisfied with YouTube's Rewind, MrBeast took it upon himself to create his own version, aiming to give creators more control and representation.
2020: First Streamy Award Win
MrBeast won his first Creator of the Year award at the Streamy Awards in 2020, marking the beginning of a streak of victories in this category.
January 1, 2021: "Youtube Rewind 2020, Thank God It's Over"
MrBeast released his own version of YouTube Rewind for 2020, titled "Youtube Rewind 2020, Thank God It's Over," on January 1, 2021. In the video, he expressed his belief that YouTubers should have more input in Rewind and collaborated with numerous creators. He also acknowledged PewDiePie and his 2018 Rewind as an inspiration for his project.
February 2021: Controversy Surrounding Clubhouse Incident
In February 2021, MrBeast removed entrepreneur Farokh Sarmad from a Clubhouse room after Sarmad allegedly stated he couldn't pronounce Donaldson's name. Sarmad claimed the action was racially motivated. Other users present during the incident disputed Sarmad's claims, arguing that Donaldson had removed several people, including women, to create a more inclusive environment.
March 2021: "Finger on the App 2" Released
Due to the success of the first game, "Finger on the App 2" was released in March 2021, this time with a $100,000 grand prize.
May 2021: Allegations of a Difficult Work Environment
A May 2021 New York Times article brought to light allegations from former employees about a challenging work environment at MrBeast.
October 29, 2021: MrBeast and Mark Rober Introduce #TeamSeas Initiative
On October 29, 2021, MrBeast and Mark Rober unveiled their next collaborative effort, #TeamSeas, with the objective of raising \$30 million by January 1, 2022, for the Ocean Conservancy and The Ocean Cleanup. The funds aimed to remove 30 million pounds of plastic and debris from oceans, rivers, and beaches. The campaign garnered support from a vast network of content creators.
November 2021: Donaldson Recreates "Squid Game" in Real Life
In November 2021, MrBeast, aka Donaldson, released a real-life recreation of the Netflix series "Squid Game." 456 participants competed for a $456,000 prize. The video garnered significant attention, becoming one of the most-watched YouTube videos of 2021.
December 2021: Third Influencer Tournament with $1 Million Prize
MrBeast organized his third influencer tournament in December 2021, with 15 competitors vying for a $1 million prize.
2021: Second Streamy Award Win
MrBeast's winning streak at the Streamy Awards continued in 2021, securing his second consecutive Creator of the Year award.
January 1, 2022: #TeamSeas Fundraising Deadline
January 1, 2022, marked the fundraising deadline for #TeamSeas, a collaborative project spearheaded by MrBeast and Mark Rober. The initiative sought to raise \$30 million for the Ocean Conservancy and The Ocean Cleanup to address the issue of plastic pollution in oceans, rivers, and beaches.
January 2022: Forbes Ranks Donaldson as YouTube's Highest Earner
In January 2022, Forbes named Donaldson the highest-earning YouTube creator of 2021, with an estimated $54 million in earnings.
January 2022: MrBeast Launches Feastables
In January 2022, MrBeast launched his own food company called Feastables, starting with a line of chocolate bars. To celebrate the launch, MrBeast also announced a sweepstakes with prizes exceeding \$1 million.
June 2022: MrBeast's Feastables Sweepstakes Culminates in Chocolate Factory Challenge
In June 2022, MrBeast released a video featuring the finale of his Feastables sweepstakes. The video, inspired by "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," saw ten grand prize winners participate in elimination challenges for the chance to win a chocolate factory or \$500,000. Michelin star chef Gordon Ramsay served as a judge for the final challenge and decided the winner of the cash prize. Feastables reportedly earned \$10 million within its first few months of business.
July 28, 2022: MrBeast Surpasses 100 Million Subscribers
On July 28, 2022, Donaldson's main channel reached 100 million subscribers, making him the second individual YouTuber to reach this milestone.
August 2022: First U.S. MrBeast Burger Location Announced
In August 2022, Donaldson announced the first physical MrBeast Burger restaurant would open in the American Dream Mall in New Jersey.
September 4, 2022: MrBeast Burger Restaurant Opens
The doors to the first MrBeast Burger restaurant officially opened on September 4, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
September 2022: Donaldson Discusses Political Views and Potential Presidential Run
In September 2022, Donaldson shared his thoughts on potentially running for president in the future, stating that he would consider it in about 20 years. He also mentioned his apolitical stance to avoid alienating his audience and maintain focus on his charitable endeavors.
November 17, 2022: Guinness World Record for Most Subscribed Male YouTuber
Donaldson earned a Guinness World Record on November 17, 2022, for having the most subscribers for an individual male on YouTube.
December 2022: #TeamTrees Tree Planting Completion Date
December 2022 marked the target completion date for planting trees as part of the #TeamTrees initiative started by MrBeast and Mark Rober in 2019. The project aimed to plant trees with the \$20 million raised for the Arbor Day Foundation.
2022: Third Streamy Award and First Kids Choice Award Win
In 2022, MrBeast achieved a remarkable feat by winning his third consecutive Creator of the Year award at the Streamy Awards and his first Favorite Male Creator award at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.
2022: MrBeast's Spending and Revenue Streams
In 2022, reports surfaced that Donaldson invests approximately $1 million per video. His primary funding sources are sponsorships, AdSense, and merchandise sales.
March 3, 2023: MrBeast's Feastables Sparks Controversy with Fan Promotion Request
On March 3, 2023, MrBeast faced criticism after asking fans to enhance Feastables product displays in stores, suggesting they obscure competing products. Feastables offered a \$5,000 raffle entry in exchange for assistance, leading to accusations of exploiting fans for free labor.
April 2023: MrBeast Defends Chris Tyson Amidst Transphobic Backlash
MrBeast publicly defended his friend and employee, Chris Tyson, in April 2023, when Tyson shared about undergoing feminizing hormone replacement therapy. MrBeast condemned the transphobia directed at Tyson, who later came out as a transgender woman.
June 2023: MrBeast Reveals Declining Invitation to Titanic Wreck Viewing on OceanGate Submersible
In June 2023, MrBeast shared that he had declined an invitation to join an OceanGate expedition to see the Titanic wreckage aboard the submersible Titan. Tragically, the submersible imploded in the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in the loss of all five individuals on board.
June 17, 2023: Concerns Over MrBeast Burger Quality
Donaldson voiced concerns about maintaining quality control with MrBeast Burger and expressed regret over the deal with Virtual Dining Concepts.
July 31, 2023: Donaldson Sues Virtual Dining Concepts
The conflict with Virtual Dining Concepts escalated when Donaldson filed a lawsuit against them on July 31, 2023, aiming to terminate their partnership and alleging damage to his brand reputation.
October 2, 2023: MrBeast's Feastables Partners with Charlotte Hornets
On October 2, 2023, MrBeast's Feastables secured a partnership with the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, resulting in the inclusion of the MrBeast insignia on the team's jerseys.
October 15, 2023: MrBeast Surpasses 200 Million Subscribers
On October 15, 2023, MrBeast achieved yet another milestone by surpassing 200 million subscribers on his main YouTube channel.
2023: Fourth Streamy Award, Second Kids Choice Award, and Time 100 Recognition
MrBeast's influence and impact were further solidified in 2023 when he won his fourth consecutive Creator of the Year award at the Streamy Awards, his second Favorite Male Creator award at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, and was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people.
2023: MrBeast Employs Over 250 People
By 2023, MrBeast's team had grown to encompass over 250 employees, including writers, editors, and producers.
January 11, 2024: MrBeast Announces Feastables Chocolate Bar Reformulation
On January 11, 2024, MrBeast unveiled modifications to the original Feastables bar, including a new design and recipe. Driven by a desire to create the most delicious chocolate, the reformulated bar boasts a creamier, tastier, and softer texture, garnering favorable responses from fans.
June 2, 2024: MrBeast Becomes Most Subscribed YouTube Channel
Donaldson's channel became the most subscribed on YouTube on June 2, 2024, surpassing T-Series with 267 million subscribers.
June 5, 2024: #TeamTrees Surpasses 24.7 Million Trees Planted
As of June 5, 2024, #TeamTrees, the tree-planting initiative launched by MrBeast and Mark Rober, had successfully planted over 24.7 million trees, exceeding its initial goal of 20 million.
June 2024: MrBeast Becomes Most Subscribed YouTube Channel
In June 2024, MrBeast became the most subscribed channel on YouTube, surpassing T-Series. This milestone solidified Donaldson's immense popularity and influence, particularly among younger viewers.
July 6, 2024: Donaldson Expresses Interest in Running for President
On July 6, 2024, Donaldson tweeted about his interest in running for president if the age requirement was lowered. This followed his previous statement in 2022 about potentially considering a presidential run in the future.
July 10, 2024: First YouTuber to Reach 300 Million Subscribers
Continuing his record-breaking streak, Donaldson became the first YouTuber to hit 300 million subscribers on July 10, 2024.
July 13, 2024: 300 Million Subscribers Special Released
MrBeast celebrated reaching 300 million subscribers with a special video featuring numerous famous YouTubers and celebrity guests.
July 2024: Chris Tyson Leaves MrBeast's Channel Following Allegations
Chris Tyson departed from MrBeast's channel in July 2024 in the wake of allegations of inappropriate conduct with a minor, raised by several YouTubers. However, the alleged victim has refuted these claims, characterizing them as "massive lies and twisting the truth." Tyson maintains that they only made a few edgy jokes.
2024: MrBeast Team Expansion
By 2024, the MrBeast team had grown to over 250 people, a testament to the success and scale of his content creation endeavors.
2024: Third Kids Choice Award Win
MrBeast's popularity continued to soar as he won his third consecutive Favorite Male Creator award at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in 2024.