Felix Kjellberg, known as PewDiePie, is a Swedish YouTuber famous for his comedic videos. His popularity, amplified by media coverage, has established him as a prominent online personality and content creator, particularly in gaming. He is often regarded as a leading figure in the YouTube community.
October 1989: Birth of Felix Kjellberg
Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie, was born on October 24, 1989, in Gothenburg, Sweden.
December 2006: PewDiePie Creates First YouTube Account
PewDiePie's journey on YouTube began in December 2006 when he registered his first account under the name "Pewdie." Although he later forgot the password, this marked his initial foray into the platform.
April 2010: Creation of the "PewDiePie" Channel
On April 29, 2010, PewDiePie registered the "PewDiePie" YouTube channel, which would eventually become his primary platform and propel him to internet fame.
October 2010: "Minecraft Multiplayer Fun": PewDiePie's Oldest Available Video
PewDiePie's oldest publicly available video, "Minecraft Multiplayer Fun," was uploaded on October 2, 2010. The video notably features him speaking mostly in Swedish.
2010: PewDiePie's Mother Awarded CIO of the Year
In 2010, PewDiePie's mother, Lotta Kristine Johanna Kjellberg, received recognition for her work in technology when she was named CIO of the Year in Sweden.
2010: PewDiePie Creates YouTube Channel
PewDiePie registered his "PewDiePie" YouTube channel in 2010, initially focusing on Let's Play videos of horror and action video games.
September 2011: Launch of "Fridays with PewDiePie"
PewDiePie diversified his content on September 2, 2011, by launching the "Fridays with PewDiePie" series. This weekly vlog series provided a change of pace from his usual Let's Play videos and often featured viewer requests.
December 2011: Channel Growth
By December 2011, PewDiePie's YouTube channel had grown to around 60,000 subscribers, demonstrating an increasing audience for his content.
December 2011: PewDiePie Reaches 60,000 Subscribers
By December 2011, PewDiePie had reached a subscriber count of 60,000, marking a significant step in his growth on YouTube.
2011: PewDiePie Leaves Chalmers University of Technology
PewDiePie decided to leave Chalmers University of Technology in 2011. While it was initially reported he left to focus on YouTube, he later clarified it was due to a lack of interest in his course.
2011: PewDiePie and Marzia Bisognin Meet
PewDiePie and Marzia Bisognin were first introduced through a mutual friend in 2011. After forming an online relationship, PewDiePie flew to Italy to meet Marzia.
February 2012: PewDiePie Wins "Gaming King of the Web" and Donates to WWF
In February 2012, PewDiePie participated in the "King of the Web" contest. Though he didn't win the overall title, he won the "Gaming King of the Web" title for the February 1-15 voting period. He donated his winnings to the World Wildlife Fund.
February 2012: Significant Monthly Views
PewDiePie's channel garnered 25 million video views in February 2012 alone, demonstrating a significant monthly viewership and increasing popularity.
March 2012: Consistent Uploads and Viewership
In March 2012, reports highlighted PewDiePie's dedication to consistent uploads, with at least one video per day for the preceding seven months. His channel had accumulated 71 million total video views by that point.
May 2012: Reaching 500,000 Subscribers
On May 9, 2012, PewDiePie's channel reached a significant milestone by surpassing 500,000 subscribers, highlighting his rapidly growing popularity on YouTube.
July 2012: PewDiePie Hits 1 Million Subscribers
In July 2012, PewDiePie's channel reached the milestone of 1 million subscribers, signifying his rapidly growing popularity on the platform.
July 2012: Reaching 1 Million Subscribers
PewDiePie achieved another milestone in July 2012, reaching 1 million subscribers on his YouTube channel.
October 2012: PewDiePie Addresses Use of Rape Jokes
PewDiePie addressed criticism and controversy surrounding his use of rape jokes in his videos in October 2012. He issued an apology and pledged to stop making such jokes, demonstrating a willingness to listen to feedback and adapt his content.
2012: Rapid Channel Growth
PewDiePie's YouTube channel experienced rapid growth in 2012 and 2013, consistently ranking among the fastest-growing channels in terms of subscriber gain.
2012: PewDiePie's Channel Experiences Rapid Growth
Throughout 2012, PewDiePie's channel was recognized as one of the fastest-growing on YouTube in terms of new subscribers.
2012: PewDiePie's Channel Experiences Rapid Growth
In 2012, PewDiePie's channel experienced a period of substantial growth, quickly gaining subscribers and attracting attention within the gaming community.
February 2013: PewDiePie Reaches 5 Million Subscribers
In February 2013, PewDiePie reached the milestone of 5 million subscribers, continuing his rapid ascent in popularity on YouTube.
February 2013: PewDiePie's Channel Hits 5 Million Subscribers
In February 2013, PewDiePie's channel reached a significant milestone by hitting 5 million subscribers, garnering attention for its Let's Play content and comedic style.
April 2013: PewDiePie's Cameo in Epic Rap Battles of History
In April 2013, PewDiePie made a cameo appearance in an episode of the popular YouTube series "Epic Rap Battles of History." He portrayed the role of Mikhail Baryshnikov, showcasing his comedic timing and expanding his reach within the YouTube community.
June 2013: "A Funny Montage" Achieves Viral Success
June 2013 marked the upload of "A Funny Montage," a compilation of highlights from PewDiePie's Let's Play videos. The video went on to become one of his most-viewed, showcasing his signature humor and editing style.
June 2013: Tubefilter's Most Viewed Channels List
Tubefilter began publishing a monthly list of the most-viewed YouTube channels in June 2013.
July 2013: PewDiePie and Marzia Move to Brighton
In July 2013, PewDiePie and Marzia Bisognin moved to Brighton, England. They chose Brighton for its proximity to the sea and its better internet connectivity.
July 2013: Appearance as a Guest Judge on "Internet Icon"
In July 2013, PewDiePie joined other notable YouTubers, including Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox of Smosh and Jenna Marbles, as a guest judge on the second season of the YouTube series "Internet Icon." This appearance highlighted his growing influence and recognition within the online video platform.
July 2013: PewDiePie Becomes Second Most-Subscribed YouTuber, Hits 10 Million Subscribers
In July 2013, PewDiePie surpassed Jenna Marbles to become the second most-subscribed YouTube user and shortly after reached 10 million subscribers, solidifying his position as a leading figure on the platform.
July 2013: PewDiePie Becomes Second Most Subscribed YouTuber
In July 2013, PewDiePie's channel experienced rapid growth, surpassing Jenna Marbles to become the second-most-subscribed user on YouTube, crossing the 10 million subscriber mark.
August 2013: PewDiePie Becomes Most Subscribed YouTuber
In August 2013, PewDiePie's channel became the most-subscribed on YouTube, marking a significant milestone in his career.
August 2013: PewDiePie Surpasses Smosh as Most Subscribed Channel
On August 15, 2013, PewDiePie's channel reached another milestone by overtaking Smosh to become the most-subscribed channel on YouTube, solidifying his position as a leading content creator.
October 2013: PewDiePie Hits 15 Million Subscribers
PewDiePie continued his reign as the most subscribed channel in October 2013, being the first to reach the milestone of 15 million subscribers, despite briefly being surpassed by YouTube's Spotlight channel.
December 2013: PewDiePie Regains Most-Subscribed Title & Gains Massive Following
In December 2013, PewDiePie's channel overtook YouTube Spotlight, reclaiming the most-subscribed title. This came after a year of massive growth in 2013, surpassing all other channels in subscriber gains.
2013: PewDiePie Featured in Various Video Games
In 2013, PewDiePie's rising fame was acknowledged through appearances in several video games. These included references in McPixel, an organ named "Pewdsball" in Surgeon Simulator 2013, an NPC role in Party Hard, and voice acting in the puzzle game Pinstripe.
2013: PewDiePie attends the 2013 Social Star Awards in Singapore
In 2013 at the Social Star Awards held in Singapore, PewDiePie surprised fans by personally greeting them despite security advising against it. This event marked an early instance of his growing popularity and the enthusiastic response from his fanbase.
2013: PewDiePie Dominates YouTube Views
PewDiePie dominated YouTube in 2013, accumulating the highest number of views on the platform, a feat that highlighted his significant impact on online video consumption.
2013: PewDiePie Earns an Estimated $4 Million From YouTube
In 2013, PewDiePie earned an estimated $4 million from his YouTube content, marking a significant milestone in his career and solidifying his presence as a top earner on the platform.
January 2014: PewDiePie Reaches 20 Million Subscribers
In January 2014, PewDiePie's channel celebrated achieving 20 million subscribers, continuing his impressive streak of subscriber growth and solidifying his influence in the online entertainment sphere.
March 2014: PewDiePie Adjusts Upload Schedule
In March 2014, PewDiePie announced changes to his video upload schedule, opting to scale down the frequency of his uploads.
March 2014: PewDiePie's Estimated YouTube Revenue Ranges from $140,000 to $1.4 Million
In March 2014, reports emerged regarding PewDiePie's estimated earnings from YouTube revenue, ranging from $140,000 to $1.4 million, according to Social Blade. These figures provided early insights into the potential financial success of prominent YouTubers.
April 2014: PewDiePie and Marzia Participate in Marketing Campaign for "As Above, So Below"
In April 2014, PewDiePie and his then-girlfriend Marzia collaborated on a marketing campaign for the film "As Above, So Below." Their involvement included a miniseries featuring them in a "Catacombs Challenge," generating significant views and promoting the movie to their audience.
June 2014: PewDiePie Chosen to Host Sommar i P1
In June 2014, Sveriges Radio, Sweden's national publicly funded radio broadcaster, chose PewDiePie to host an episode of their radio show Sommar i P1.
June 2014: Wall Street Journal Reports PewDiePie Earned $4 Million in 2013
In June 2014, The Wall Street Journal reported that PewDiePie had earned $4 million in the previous year, 2013. This revelation further solidified his position as a top earner on YouTube and brought attention to the lucrative nature of online content creation.
June 2014: Kjellberg Discusses Religious Beliefs
Kjellberg publicly shared that he identifies as an agnostic atheist in June 2014.
June 2014: PewDiePie Raises Money for Save the Children
To celebrate reaching 25 million subscribers, PewDiePie started a charity drive for Save the Children in June 2014. The drive raised over $630,000, exceeding its goal of $250,000.
August 2014: PewDiePie's Sommar i P1 Episode Airs
In August 2014, PewDiePie's episode of Sommar i P1 was broadcast, in both Swedish and English. The Swedish version aired on Sveriges Radio P1, while the English version was released online.
August 2014: PewDiePie Becomes Most Viewed YouTube Channel
In August 2014, Tubefilter reported that PewDiePie's channel had become the most viewed channel on YouTube, surpassing Rihanna's VEVO channel in July with over 5.2 billion video views.
August 2014: Official PewDiePie App Launches & Comments Disabled
August 2014 saw the launch of an official PewDiePie app for iPhone. Later in the month, PewDiePie made the decision to permanently disable comments on his videos, citing issues like spam and self-promotion.
September 2014: Analysis of PewDiePie's Popularity
In September 2014, Yahoo! writer Rob Walker analyzed PewDiePie's immense popularity, attributing it to his genuine personality and his direct engagement with his audience as "peers" rather than fans.
October 2014: PewDiePie Expresses Frustration with Maker Studios
In October 2014, PewDiePie hinted at the possibility of not renewing his contract with Maker Studios, expressing frustrations with the company. He considered starting his own network.
December 2014: PewDiePie Surpasses emimusic in Views
PewDiePie further cemented his position as a YouTube titan by surpassing emimusic in December 2014 to become the most-viewed channel on the platform with over 7.2 billion views.
December 2014: PewDiePie Guest Stars on South Park
In December 2014, PewDiePie appeared in a two-part season finale of South Park's 18th season. The episodes, titled "#REHASH" and "#HappyHolograms", featured PewDiePie parodying himself and other Let's Play YouTubers.
December 2014: PewDiePie's Channel Becomes Most Viewed
PewDiePie's channel became the most-viewed on YouTube in December 2014, further solidifying his position as a leading figure on the platform.
December 2014: PewDiePie Continues with Maker Studios Despite Frustrations
Despite his earlier frustrations, PewDiePie continued creating videos under Maker Studios. The partnership led to the launch of his official website, app, and online merchandise store.
December 2014: PewDiePie's Channel Becomes Most-Viewed on YouTube
By December 2014, PewDiePie's channel had gained significant traction, amassing over 14 million new subscribers and exceeding 4.1 billion total views. By December 29th, 2014, his channel became the most-viewed on YouTube, surpassing 7 billion views.
2014: YouTube Increases Investment in Creators
In 2014, YouTube increased its investment in creators and developed a system for classifying its top performers, categorizing them based on career paths like traditional media or building online empires.
2014: PewDiePie Expresses Discomfort with Fame
In 2014, PewDiePie admitted in interviews that he found his level of influence "kind of scary" and was shocked by his rise to fame, even sharing an experience where he needed security due to overwhelming fan attention.
2014: PewDiePie Expands Content Beyond Horror Games
In 2014, PewDiePie's content evolved to include a wider range of games. Instead of focusing solely on horror, he began playing games across various genres based on his interests.
2014: PewDiePie Named "King of YouTube" on The Verge 50
In 2014, The Verge named PewDiePie as the "King of YouTube" on their Verge 50 list, recognizing his ability to humanize video games and connect with his audience.
January 2015: Mountain Dew Partners with PewDiePie for Fan Fiction Contest
In January 2015, Mountain Dew partnered with PewDiePie for a fan fiction contest. The contest involved fans submitting their creative writing, with the winning entry being adapted into an animated video format and shared on his channel.
July 2015: PewDiePie Cast in "Oscar's Hotel for Fantastical Creatures"
In July 2015, it was announced that PewDiePie would voice a character in the Vimeo fantasy series "Oscar's Hotel for Fantastical Creatures".
July 2015: Swedish Newspaper Reports PewDiePie's Production Company Earned $7.5 Million in 2014
In July 2015, Swedish newspaper Expressen reported that PewDiePie's production company, PewDie Productions AB, recorded earnings of $7.5 million in 2014. This highlighted the substantial financial growth of his brand and business ventures beyond his main YouTube channel.
July 2015: PewDiePie Videos Exceed 300 Million Views Monthly
By July 2015, PewDiePie's popularity reached new heights as his videos garnered over 300 million views per month, demonstrating his widespread appeal and influence within the YouTube community.
September 2015: PewDiePie Surpasses 10 Billion Views
PewDiePie achieved a groundbreaking milestone in September 2015 by becoming the first YouTube channel to surpass 10 billion video views, a testament to his massive and dedicated fanbase.
September 2015: PewDiePie Surpasses 10 Billion Views & Teases Web Series
On September 6, 2015, PewDiePie's YouTube account achieved a groundbreaking milestone, becoming the first to surpass 10 billion video views. Later that month, he hinted at involvement in a web television series, later revealed to be the YouTube Red series "Scare PewDiePie", which premiered in February.
September 2015: Release of "PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist"
On September 24, 2015, PewDiePie released his own mobile game titled "PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist." The game was developed in collaboration with Canadian game developer Outerminds and marked his entry into the mobile gaming world.
October 2015: PewDiePie Tops Forbes' List of Richest YouTube Stars with $12 Million Earned
In October 2015, PewDiePie secured the top spot on Forbes' list of the richest YouTube stars, with reported earnings of $12 million that year. This achievement solidified his position as one of the most financially successful content creators on the platform.
October 2015: Release of "This Book Loves You" and Launch of Tsuki Clothing Brand
On October 20, 2015, PewDiePie's book "This Book Loves You," a parody of self-help books, was released. The book, a collection of humorous anti-proverbs, achieved significant success, topping The New York Times Best Seller list. Additionally, PewDiePie and his wife Marzia launched their unisex clothing line, Tsuki, further expanding their brand into the fashion industry.
2015: The Verge and The New York Times Analyze PewDiePie's Success
In 2015, The Verge and The New York Times analyzed PewDiePie's success, highlighting his ability to connect directly with his audience and his representation of YouTube's values at the time: authenticity and unconventionality.
2015: PewDiePie's Income Experiences 20% Growth, Reaching $15 Million
In 2015, PewDiePie's income experienced a substantial 20% increase, ultimately reaching $15 million. This growth highlighted the continued success of his content and brand partnerships, solidifying his position as a top earner on YouTube.
2015: PewDiePie Featured in Time's Most Influential People and Variety's Famechangers
In 2015, PewDiePie was recognized for his influence by both Time and Variety. Time included him in their list of the 30 most influential people on the Internet, while Variety featured him on the cover of their "Famechangers" issue, ranking him as #1.
2015: PewDiePie's Use of "Bro Army" and Its Evolution
In 2015, ESPN noted PewDiePie's signature "Brofist" and his reference to his fans as the "Bro Army." Over time, he transitioned to terms like "Squad Fam," "9 year olds," and "19 year olds."
2015: PewDiePie's Content Style Shifts, Draws Criticism
Around 2015, PewDiePie's video style noticeably changed, incorporating more risks and experimentation. While still featuring video games, he ventured into viral challenges, commentary on other YouTubers, and reviews of fan-submitted memes. One particular video, featuring him reading erotic fan fiction, reportedly angered Disney's CEO, potentially jeopardizing his deal with Maker Studios.
2015: New York Times Poll Shows Low Recognition of PewDiePie Among Older Demographics
A 2015 poll by The New York Times revealed that only 17% of their readers recognized PewDiePie, highlighting an age gap in his audience reach.
January 2016: PewDiePie Launches Revelmode Network with Maker Studios
In January 2016, PewDiePie partnered with Maker Studios to launch "Revelmode", a sub-network featuring him and other YouTubers in original series. The network initially included eight other creators: CinnamonToastKen, Marzia, Dodger, Emma Blackery, Jacksepticeye, Jelly, Kwebbelkop, and Markiplier, with Cryaotic, KickThePJ, and Slogoman joining later.
February 2016: PewDiePie Appears on Conan
In February 2016, PewDiePie was a guest on Conan, where he played the video game Far Cry Primal for the show's "Clueless Gamer" segment.
February 2016: PewDiePie Raises Money for Charity: Water
In February 2016, PewDiePie organized a charity drive for Charity: Water. The drive surpassed its goal of $100,000, raising a total of $152,239.
September 2016: Release of "PewDiePie's Tuber Simulator"
On September 29, 2016, PewDiePie launched "PewDiePie's Tuber Simulator," another mobile game developed with Outerminds. This free-to-play simulation game achieved rapid success, reaching the top spot on the App Store shortly after release.
October 2016: Channel Growth with Minecraft
In October 2016, PewDiePie saw a significant increase in views after shifting his content towards Minecraft, exceeding 570 million views during July 2016, the highest monthly view count since October 2016. His daily subscriber count also grew from 25,000 to 45,000 in that month.
December 2016: PewDiePie Hosts "Cringemas" Livestream
On December 9 and 10, 2016, PewDiePie hosted "Cringemas," a two-day livestream featuring other Revelmode creators. The livestream raised money for RED, a charity dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa. The event raised over $1.3 million.
December 2016: PewDiePie Voices Concerns About YouTube Algorithm, Threatens Channel Deletion
On December 2, 2016, PewDiePie uploaded a video expressing his frustration with YouTube's algorithm, which he believed was negatively impacting content creators. As his channel approached 50 million subscribers, he pledged to delete it upon reaching that milestone. While his channel did hit 50 million subscribers, he ultimately didn't delete it, opting to delete a smaller secondary channel instead. His threat was later reported as a publicity stunt for "Scare PewDiePie".
December 2016: Forbes Names PewDiePie Highest-Earning YouTuber with $15 Million Income
In December 2016, Forbes named PewDiePie the highest-earning YouTuber, with an annual income reaching $15 million. This represented a 20% increase from the previous year, driven by revenue streams like his YouTube Red series "Scare PewDiePie" and his book "This Book Loves You."
December 2016: PewDiePie's Content Style Continues to Evolve
Throughout 2016, PewDiePie's content continued to shift. He produced fewer Let's Play videos focused on horror games and adopted a drier humor style, which didn't always resonate with younger viewers. He acknowledged the change in his content and expressed regret for his past use of offensive language.
2016: PewDiePie Addresses Algorithm Concerns with Satirical Videos
In late 2016 and early 2017, PewDiePie uploaded a series of videos satirizing the perceived negative effects of YouTube's algorithm on creators' viewership. He challenged viewers to help his videos reach specific engagement targets (likes, dislikes, comments), which they successfully met.
2016: PewDiePie Experiences Viewership Decline
PewDiePie's channel, like many others, experienced a dip in viewership in 2016 due to changes in YouTube's algorithm, marking a shift in the platform's landscape.
2016: Prolific Content Creation Recognized
In 2016, PewDiePie's prolific content output on YouTube was recognized, reflecting his dedication to consistently creating and uploading videos.
2016: PewDiePie Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2016, PewDiePie's influence was recognized globally when Time magazine named him one of the world's 100 most influential people.
2016: Comparison of PewDiePie's Popularity to Past Cultural Phenomena
In 2016, Maker Studios' international chief content officer compared the generational gap in understanding PewDiePie's appeal to previous generations' struggles to grasp punk rock or gangsta rap.
2016: PewDiePie's Participation in YouTube Rewind from 2013 to 2016
From 2013 to 2016, PewDiePie consistently appeared in YouTube Rewind, an annual series produced by YouTube that recaps the year's most viral videos, trends, and creators. His regular appearances in these year-end videos underscored his prominence and influence on the platform during that period.
2016: PewDiePie's Content Style Shift
By 2016, PewDiePie's content had evolved, incorporating more existential themes and reflecting on the demands of content creation, demonstrating a shift in his approach and maturity as a creator.
2016: PewDiePie's Impact on Digital Content Creation
By 2016, PewDiePie had solidified his position as a major influencer in digital content creation and internet culture, particularly in video gaming subcultures, with publications acknowledging his pioneering role and massive reach.
2016: PewDiePie Receives Custom Ruby Play Button
PewDiePie received the Custom Creator Award, which he nicknamed the Ruby Play Button, in 2016, marking a significant achievement in his YouTube career.
January 2017: PewDiePie Fiverr Controversy
In January 2017, Kjellberg was criticized for a video in which he paid individuals on Fiverr to hold a sign reading "Death to all Jews." Kjellberg claimed it was intended as a joke, but it sparked significant backlash and accusations of normalizing harmful ideologies.
January 2017: Minecraft Experiences Highest Trending Score on YouTube Since January 2017
In January 2017, Minecraft achieved its highest trending score on YouTube, surpassing even the popular game Fortnite. This surge in interest highlighted a significant moment in the platform's gaming community and showcased the power of trending content.
February 2017: PewDiePie Loses Most Viewed Channel Status
PewDiePie's reign as the most-viewed channel on YouTube ended in February 2017.
February 2017: Felix Kjellberg releases "My Response" video
In February 2017, Kjellberg released a video entitled "My Response" in response to the controversy surrounding his use of anti-Semitic language on Fiverr.
March 2017: Burnout and Daily Content Creation
By March 2017, PewDiePie's channel operated on a daily upload schedule. He acknowledged the challenges of maintaining this frequency and its impact on his mental health while expressing a passion for the daily challenge of creating content.
June 2017: PewDiePie Included in Forbes' Top Influencers List Despite Controversy
In June 2017, despite controversies surrounding his content, Forbes included PewDiePie in their list of Top Influencers in the gaming category.
October 2017: Collaboration on "Animal Super Squad" with Armin Ibrisagic
On October 31, 2017, Armin Ibrisagic, known for his work on "Goat Simulator," announced a partnership with PewDiePie for the development of "Animal Super Squad." PewDiePie's contributions included core concept development, feedback, and creative direction.
2017: Hiring an Editor and Production Assistance
While initially resistant to outside help, PewDiePie hired an editor and sought production assistance for his content creation in 2017. Despite this, he emphasized that his content remained authentically his own.
2017: PewDiePie Gains 7 Million Subscribers
Throughout 2017, PewDiePie gained 7 million subscribers, demonstrating his continued popularity and the loyalty of his fanbase.
2017: PewDiePie's Subscriber Growth in 2017
Throughout 2017, PewDiePie gained 7 million subscribers on his YouTube channel.
2017: PewDiePie Addresses Algorithm Concerns with Satirical Videos
In late 2016 and early 2017, PewDiePie uploaded a series of videos satirizing the perceived negative effects of YouTube's algorithm on creators' viewership. He challenged viewers to help his videos reach specific engagement targets (likes, dislikes, comments), which they successfully met.
2017: PewDiePie's Audience Demographics Revealed
In 2017, data revealed that PewDiePie's largest demographic was 18-24 year-olds, followed by 25-34 year-olds. His popularity among these age groups was comparable to mainstream celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence and Justin Bieber.
2017: PewDiePie's Income Drops to $12 Million, Ranking Sixth Highest-Paid YouTuber
In 2017, PewDiePie's income experienced a decline, dropping to $12 million, placing him as the sixth highest-paid YouTuber that year. Forbes attributed this decrease in part to the controversies surrounding some of his videos, which led to pushback from advertisers.
2017: PewDiePie Clarifies Reasons for Leaving University
In 2017, PewDiePie clarified that he had left Chalmers University of Technology in 2011 due to a lack of interest in his studies, not solely to pursue YouTube.
2017: PewDiePie Highlights Mental Health Resources
During the UK's Mental Health Awareness Week in 2017, PewDiePie released a video highlighting various resources available to help those struggling with their mental health.
May 2018: PewDiePie's Use of "Twitch Thots" and Demi Lovato Meme Controversy
In May 2018, Kjellberg faced criticism for using the term "Twitch thots" while watching female streamers, leading to a copyright claim by streamer Alinity. In a separate incident that same month, he was criticized for posting a meme about Demi Lovato's addiction struggles shortly after her overdose.
July 2018: Wired Criticizes PewDiePie's Fanbase as "Toxic"
In July 2018, Wired published an article criticizing PewDiePie's fanbase, labeling them "toxic" for their continued support despite his history of controversial content, including racial slurs and antisemitism.
September 2018: PewDiePie Acknowledges T-Series' Growth
In September 2018, Kjellberg addressed the projected subscriber growth of Indian record label T-Series, which was on track to potentially surpass his channel.
December 2018: PewDiePie's Promotion of "E;R" and Subsequent Backlash
In December 2018, Kjellberg recommended a YouTube channel called "E;R," which was later found to contain white supremacist content. After receiving criticism, Kjellberg retracted his recommendation and claimed he was unaware of the channel's full content.
December 2018: Online Campaigns Drive Subscriber Growth for PewDiePie
Online campaigns urging viewers to subscribe to PewDiePie significantly boosted his subscriber count in December 2018, showcasing the power of online communities in influencing channel growth.
December 2018: PewDiePie Releases "T-Series Diss Track" and Experiences Subscriber Surge
On October 5, 2018, Kjellberg released "T-series Diss Track" (later renamed "Bitch Lasagna") targeting T-Series. The track sparked controversy for some lyrics considered racist, but it also led to a massive surge in subscribers for his channel, gaining 6.62 million in December 2018 alone, compared to 7 million throughout 2017.
December 2018: PewDiePie Raises Money for Child Rights and You
On December 3, 2018, PewDiePie announced a fundraiser for Child Rights and You (CRY), an organization that helps Indian children. He also hosted a livestream on December 4th, donating all proceeds to CRY. The fundraiser and livestream collectively raised over $200,000.
December 2018: PewDiePie Releases "YouTube Rewind 2018 but it's actually good"
On December 27, 2018, Kjellberg responded to the negative reception of YouTube's official Rewind by releasing his own version, titled "YouTube Rewind 2018 but it's actually good."
2018: PewDiePie Visits Japan
After a trip to Japan in 2018, PewDiePie was inspired to move to the country.
2018: Content Diversification
In the late 2010s, PewDiePie's content became more diverse, incorporating vlogs, comedy shorts, formatted shows, and reaction videos, including reactions to TikTok compilations in late 2018 and early 2019.
2018: "A Funny Montage" Maintains Popularity
"A Funny Montage" continued to be one of PewDiePie's most popular videos throughout 2018, highlighting its enduring appeal and impact on his channel's growth.
2018: PewDiePie's Content Structure in 2018
In 2018, Kjellberg established a consistent structure for his YouTube content, featuring recurring series like "You Laugh You Lose," "Last Week I Asked You (LWIAY)," and "Meme Review." He also initiated a book club series and "Pew News," a satirical news show.
2018: The Guardian Analyzes PewDiePie's Influence and Controversies
In 2018, The Guardian published an article about PewDiePie, noting the lack of mainstream media attention given his large audience. The article discussed his controversial content while acknowledging his charisma and innovation, urging for greater scrutiny of his influence.
January 2019: PewDiePie Announces Partnership with G Fuel Energy Drinks
In January 2019, PewDiePie announced a partnership with G Fuel, a company known for its energy drink products popular among gamers. This collaboration marked a significant brand deal for PewDiePie and aligned with his gaming-focused content.
April 2019: PewDiePie Songs Banned in India
April 2019 saw PewDiePie facing controversy as his songs "Congratulations" and "Bitch Lasagna" were banned in India following a court order due to complaints of defamation and offensive content.
June 2019: Etika Passes Away
Internet personality Etika tragically passed away in June 2019.
July 2019: PewDiePie's Minecraft Content Boosts Views
July 2019 saw PewDiePie experience a resurgence in views largely attributed to his Minecraft gameplay videos, demonstrating his ability to adapt to trends and maintain audience engagement.
July 2019: PewDiePie and Jack Black Raise Money for NAMI
Following the passing of internet personality Etika in June 2019, PewDiePie and actor Jack Black started a fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in July 2019. Their livestream playing Minecraft raised over $30,000.
July 2019: Kjellberg Discusses Lifestyle Changes
During a podcast interview in July 2019, Kjellberg revealed his pescetarian diet and discussed his past habit of drinking whiskey daily to cope with work stress, which he had recently stopped after being inspired by a book on Buddhism.
August 2019: PewDiePie Marries Marzia Bisognin
On August 19, 2019, PewDiePie married his long-term girlfriend, Marzia Bisognin.
September 2019: PewDiePie Makes and Withdraws Donation to the ADL
In September 2019, in celebration of receiving his 100 million subscribers Play Button, PewDiePie pledged to donate $50,000 to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). After receiving backlash from fans, he decided to retract his donation and instead research organizations he was more passionate about.
September 2019: PewDiePie Tops The Sunday Times' List of Influential People Online
In September 2019, The Sunday Times ranked PewDiePie first on their list of the UK's 100 most influential people online.
October 2019: Content Blocked in China
In October 2019, PewDiePie revealed that his YouTube content and related content on other platforms were blocked in China. He attributed this to his comments on the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests and an image comparing Chinese President Xi Jinping to Winnie the Pooh in a previous video.
October 2019: PewDiePie Donates to Team Trees
PewDiePie donated $69,420 to Team Trees, an organization fighting deforestation, in October 2019.
October 2019: Kjellberg Shares Political Stance
In October 2019, Kjellberg described his political views as "more apolitical than anything," positioning himself "somewhere in between" left-wing and right-wing.
2019: PewDiePie Discusses Fame and Nostalgia for Early YouTube Career
In 2019, PewDiePie expressed his discomfort with his level of fame and admitted to feeling nostalgic for the earlier days of his YouTube career when he had fewer subscribers. He also mentioned contemplating leaving the platform.
2019: Continued Content Diversification
PewDiePie maintained a diverse range of content throughout 2019, including reaction videos, vlogs, comedy shorts, and formatted shows, alongside his traditional Let's Play videos.
2019: T-Series Surpasses PewDiePie, Prompting "Congratulations" Diss Track
On March 27, 2019, T-Series officially surpassed PewDiePie as the most-subscribed channel on YouTube. Kjellberg responded with a satirical diss track titled "Congratulations," mocking T-Series for its practices and briefly regaining the top spot.
2019: PewDiePie's Nimses Promotion Sparks Privacy Concerns
In early June 2019, Kjellberg's promotion of the social media app Nimses led to backlash due to concerns about the app's location tracking, privacy settings, and potential pyramid scheme structure. Kjellberg dismissed the allegations as rumors.
2019: PewDiePie Loses Top Spot, Becomes More Reserved Online
In 2019, after a public competition with T-Series, PewDiePie lost his position as the most-subscribed YouTube channel. He also became more reserved online, taking frequent breaks and shifting his focus away from constant uploads.
2019: T-Series Surpasses PewDiePie in Subscribers
In 2019, T-Series became the most subscribed channel on YouTube, surpassing PewDiePie after a period of intense competition.
2019: PewDiePie's Minecraft Videos Spark Resurgence in Game's Popularity
In 2019, PewDiePie's gameplay videos of Minecraft led to a significant resurgence in the game's popularity. This "PewDiePie Effect" was attributed to his influence on YouTube trends and demonstrated his impact on the gaming community.
2019: PewDiePie Earns Red Diamond Creator Award
In 2019, PewDiePie's channel reached another major milestone by being the first individual creator to receive the Red Diamond Creator Award, highlighting his exceptional success on the platform.
2019: PewDiePie's Return to YouTube Rewind
In 2019, PewDiePie made a return to YouTube Rewind after a two-year hiatus. His reappearance in the annual recap video signified his continued relevance and influence within the YouTube community, despite controversies and shifts in his content style.
2019: PewDiePie Appears on Cold Ones Podcast
In 2019, PewDiePie made a guest appearance on the Cold Ones YouTube podcast.
2019: Release of "PewDiePie's Pixelings" and "Poopdie"
In 2019, PewDiePie continued his foray into game development with the release of two more titles. "PewDiePie's Pixelings" was launched on November 15th, followed by "Poopdie" on December 12th. "Poopdie" faced rejection from the App Store due to its content but found a home on the Android platform.
2019: PewDiePie and Marzia Buy a Home in Japan
In 2019, PewDiePie and Marzia bought a home in Japan with the intention of permanently moving there. Though their move was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were eventually able to relocate.
2019: PewDiePie's Comments on Pulwama Attack and T-Series Spark Controversy
In 2019, Kjellberg faced criticism for his comments on T-Series removing Pakistani artists' songs following the Pulwama attack. He later clarified that he was specifically addressing T-Series' actions, not broader India-Pakistan relations.
2019: 100 Million Subscribers and Top Creator
PewDiePie achieved a major milestone in 2019, becoming the first individual YouTuber to surpass 100 million subscribers on August 25th, 2019. He received a Red Diamond Play Button from YouTube and was recognized as the most-viewed creator of the year with over 4 billion views.
June 2020: PewDiePie Supports the Black Lives Matter Movement
In early June 2020, in response to the murder of George Floyd, PewDiePie raised over $116,000 for the Sentencing Project, victims of police brutality, and small businesses affected by the Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
2020: Continued Content Blocking
PewDiePie's content continued to be blocked in China through 2020 due to his comments on the Hong Kong protests and the image comparing Xi Jinping to Winnie-the-Pooh.
2020: Variety Comments on PewDiePie's Enduring Popularity Amidst Controversy
In 2020, Variety highlighted PewDiePie's continued popularity despite, or perhaps because of, the controversies surrounding him.
2020: Brief Hiatus
PewDiePie took a short break from creating content in early 2020, marking the beginning of a pattern of taking brief hiatuses in the following years.
2020: COVID-19 Jokes and Criticism
Following his 2020 hiatus, PewDiePie faced criticism for making jokes about the COVID-19 pandemic and using mock-Chinese phrases in his first video back. He defended his jokes in a subsequent video, which included more jokes about COVID-19.
January 2021: Distribution Deal with Jellysmack
PewDiePie signed a distribution deal with Jellysmack in January 2021. This partnership involved Jellysmack optimizing and distributing PewDiePie's content for a Facebook Watch audience, expanding his reach beyond YouTube.
November 2021: YouTube Makes Dislike Counts Private
In November 2021, YouTube decided to make dislike counts private, hiding the exact number of dislikes on videos from public view. One of PewDiePie's satirical videos had accumulated over 5 million dislikes before this change, making it one of the most disliked videos on the platform.
2021: PewDiePie Donates to Various Charities
Throughout 2021, PewDiePie pledged to donate the earnings from his YouTube memberships to various charities each month. He raised over $1 million for charities such as Red Nose Day, Movember, Papyrus, Blue Ocean Foundation, Save the Children Lebanon, and Winston's Wish.
May 2022: PewDiePie and Marzia Move to Japan
In May 2022, PewDiePie and Marzia moved into their home in Japan, obtaining 5-year business visas.
August 2022: "Minecraft Multiplayer Fun" Surpasses 21 Million Views
By August 2022, PewDiePie's oldest available video, "Minecraft Multiplayer Fun," had garnered over 21 million views, reflecting the enduring popularity of his early content.
September 2022: Soft Retirement Announcement
In September 2022, PewDiePie announced a step back from YouTube, referring to it as a "soft retirement," and emphasized his shift towards creating content for personal enjoyment.
2022: "Like, Comment, Subscribe" by Mark Bengen is Published
In 2022, Mark Bengen published "Like, Comment, Subscribe", a book likely related to the world of YouTube and online content creation.
March 2023: Twitch Streaming and "PewDiePie Infinity"
PewDiePie's inactive Twitch account became active again in March 2023, streaming episodes of "Trailer Park Boys" as part of a test by CoPilot Media. This was a precursor to the planned launch of "PewDiePie Infinity," an endless loop of his videos.
July 2023: PewDiePie and Marzia Welcome a Son
On July 11, 2023, PewDiePie and Marzia welcomed their first child, a son.