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Entertainment • YouTuber

MrBeast

MrBeast is the online name of Jimmy Donaldson, an American YouTuber, media personality, businessman, and philanthropist.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

MrBeast is the online persona of Jimmy Donaldson, an American YouTuber, media personality, businessman, and philanthropist. He is known for producing high-budget challenge videos, large-scale giveaways, and philanthropic projects. He is the founder of Beast Industries, a company that oversees media channels and consumer brands.

Early life and identity

MrBeast is the online persona of James Stephen Donaldson, also known as Jimmy Donaldson. He was born in 1998 in Wichita, Kansas, in the United States.

Career

Donaldson became known for YouTube videos featuring expensive challenges, stunts, and large-scale giveaways. He later expanded into business ventures and brand-building through Beast Industries and related projects.

Business ventures

MrBeast has been associated with ventures including MrBeast Burger, Feastables, and Lunchly. These activities reflect a broader creator-business model beyond his YouTube channel.

Personal life

Publicly available sources identify Thea Booysen as his partner in recent coverage, while older sources mention Maddy Spidell as a former partner. Relationship details can change over time and are often reported differently across sources.

Key facts

  • MrBeast is the online persona of Jimmy Donaldson, born May 7, 1998.
  • He is known for large-scale challenge videos, giveaways, and philanthropy.
  • He founded Beast Industries, which includes MrBeast Burger and Feastables.
  • His current partner is Thea Booysen; he previously dated Maddy Spidell.
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Canadian context

MrBeast is widely followed in Canada, and his YouTube-based business model, charity campaigns, and consumer brands have a large Canadian audience.

Frequently asked questions

What is MrBeast's real name?
His real name is **James Stephen Donaldson**, commonly called **Jimmy Donaldson**.
How old is MrBeast?
He was born on **May 7, 1998**, which makes him **28** years old as of 2026.
How much is MrBeast worth?
Public estimates vary widely, and reputable sources do not agree on one exact figure. Some biographies describe him as a billionaire, while other listings give much lower estimates.
What does MrBeast do for a living?
He is a **YouTuber**, media personality, businessman, and philanthropist, known for producing large-scale challenge and giveaway videos.
Who is MrBeast's girlfriend?
Recent public sources identify **Thea Booysen** as his partner; older sources previously listed **Maddy Spidell** as a former partner.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MrBeast
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, occupations, business ventures, and partner/former partner information.
  2. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/celebrities/a63150212/mrbeast
    Supports: Real name, birth date, occupations, philanthropy, and business ventures.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/MrBeast
    Supports: Identity, birth date, occupations, YouTube fame, and business ventures.
  4. Parade — https://www.parade.com/celebrities/who-is-mrbeast
    Supports: Real name, YouTube career, philanthropy, and relationship coverage.