Creator and influencer MrBeast has been named on Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2026 list – but how much do you know about him?
Time Magazine’s annual list of the 100 Most Influential People has long been a barometer of who is calling the shots around the world.
This year’s list has just been announced and in among the politicians, CEOs of global companies and AI creators a name sticks out – MrBeast. MrBeast – real name Jimmy Donaldson – is the only content creator to make the list this year and reflects his huge following. It is the second time he has made the list.
Time recognised MrBeast for his pioneering content model, which combines massive online reach with real-world philanthropy, and how he sets a new standard for influence in the digital age.
But how much do you know about MrBeast? Here are some facts you might now know.
MrBeast started his channel as a teenager
MrBeast started his online career at the tender age of 13, when he began posting videos on YouTube. In the early days, his content was usually ‘Let’s Play’ type videos, usually involving Minecraft or Call of Duty: Black Ops II, or tips for upcoming YouTubers.
In the early days, his channel grew steadily and by mid-2016 he had 30,000 subscribers. But it was a video in 2017 that provided his breakthrough – one where he counted to 100,000. The nearly day-long video went wildly viral and started a period where he did a series of other stunts in videos.
His mum disapproved of his decision to drop out of college to be a YouTuber
While MrBeast was growing his channel, he was also completing his education. He graduated high school and went to college – but by then his YouTube channel was taking off and he decided to drop out of college to focus on it full-time.
At the time, his mother disapproved of his decision and, as a result, he was forced to leave the family home.
He wants to help kids gain financial knowledge
MrBeast continues to build his business empire, and a recent acquisition was youth-oriented fintech app Step, which focuses on providing tools to manage money and build credit. MrBeast has said he wants to help young people to improve their financial literacy – giving them a financial foundation he says he never had.
He’s set YouTube records
MrBeast has set numerous records over the years, including becoming the most subscribed individual channel in 2022 when he had 112 million subscribers. Two years later, he became the most subscribed YouTube channel outright when he overtook Indian music and film company T-Series.
He also has the most-watched video on YouTube: ‘Would you fly to Paris for a baguette?’ has had more than 1.3 billion views.
He’s big on philanthropy
MrBeast has also become well-known for his philanthropy, and some of his biggest ventures have raised tens of millions of dollars to help environmental causes. For instance, TeamWater has raised more than $40 million to help deliver lasting clean water for two million people. Meanwhile, TeamSeas has raised more than $34 million to help remove millions of kilos of debris from oceans, rivers and beaches.
He was a billionaire at 26
As well as building a vast social media following, MrBeast has also amassed a vast fortune. In June 2024 he officially became a billionaire aged just 26. His wealth isn’t just from his content creation and social media earnings. MrBeast has a business empire, including toys – MrBeast Labs – and food. He has also successfully invested in businesses too, notably tech company Backbone, which makes a controller accessory for smartphones.
When MrBeast became a billionaire, he was the eighth youngest in the world at the time. However, MrBeast was the only one that didn’t inherit his fortune.
