MrBeast continues to rake it in. The YouTube mastermind who has orchestrated dozens of over-the-top stunts and big-money giveaways pulled in an estimated $82 million over the past year — more than twice the earnings any other internet creator, according to a new Forbes report.
The figure for MrBeast, whose name is Jimmy Donaldson, is included on the Forbes 2023 Top Creators List, which is the mag’s second annual ranking of the 50 highest-earning and most influential creators across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitch and other social platforms. Forbes estimated each creator’s gross earnings between June 2022 and June 2023.
MrBeast, the most-followed individual YouTube creator with 186 million subscribers and counting, not only produces hugely popular videos, he also has multiple business endeavors and routinely supports charitable causes. (Forbes’ profile of MrBeast notes in a disclosure that he is set to become a board member of the company once it completes the proposed sale of an 82% stake to auto-technology tycoon Austin Russell valuing Forbes at nearly $800 million.)
It’s not all good times and gags in Beast-land: Donaldson currently is engaged in a legal dispute with the virtual restaurant company that operates his MrBeast Burger fast-food chain. The YouTubersued Virtual Dining Concepts, seeking to end the deal, alleging among other things that the burgers it served were called “disgusting,” “revolting” and “inedible” and damaged his reputation.VDC responded with its own $100 million lawsuitagainst MrBeast alleging breach of contract.
The next highest-earning digital creators over the June 2022-June 2023 period, per Forbes, were YouTube talk-show duo Rhett & link, gamer PrestonPlayz and kid YouTuber Ryan Kaji, each with estimated earnings of $35 million. Also among the top-grossing creators are brothers Jake and Logan Paul; sisters Charli and Dixie D’Amelio; Alex Cooper and Emma Chamberlain (who both have Spotify podcast deals); and TikTok superstar Khaby Lame.
Overall, the 50 creators on the Forbes list earned about $700 million this year, up 23% from the previous year, and have a combined 2.6 billion followers across platforms. The publication’s ranking is based on three factors: earning, entrepreneurship and clout (follower and engagement ratio). Forbes partnered with social-media marketing firm Influential to compile the data. You can find the full top 50 ranking at this link.
Here are the top 20 highest-earning creators for 2022, according to Forbes:
1. MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson): $82 million
2 (tie).Rhett & link: $35 million
2 (tie). PrestonPlayz (Preston Arsement): $35 million
2 (tie). Ryan Kaji (Ryan’s World): $35 million
5.Jake Paul: $34 million
6 (tie). Markiplier (Mark Edward Fischbach): $30 million
6 (tie). FuckJerry (Elliot Tebele): $30 million
8.Jacksepticeye (Sean McLoughlin): $27 million
9.Matt Rife: $25 million
10. KSI (Olajide Olatunji): $24 million
11.Charli D’Amelio: $23 million
12.Logan Paul: $21 million
13 (tie).Emma Chamberlain: $20 million
13 (tie). Alex Cooper: $20 million
15. Brent Rivera: $17.5 million
16.Khaby Lame: $16.5 million
17.Amouranth (Kaitlyn Siragusa): $15 million
18 (tie).Huda Kattan: $13 million
18 (tie). Zach King: $13 million
18 (tie). Bailey Sarian: $13 million
