10 of the richest YouTubers ever – net worths, ranked: MrBeast is known for his giveaway videos, Logan and Jake Paul became boxers – but which 2 on the list are already making millions as kids?
It’s difficult to remember a time before YouTube existed. Since the platform launched in 2005, it has become the second most-visited site after Google. Soon, it was clear that the video platform would be the next big thing on the web, and yet the sheer amounts of money that YouTube stars would later earn through the platform, either directly via streams or marketing deals and product partnerships, may come as a surprise to many.
Here’s a list of 10 of the top YouTube earners ever, plus their net worths as estimated by Celebrity Net Worth.
10. KSI
Estimated net worth: US$35 million
Olajide Olayinka Williams “JJ” Olatunji, also known as KSI, was born in 1993 in Watford, Hertfordshire, England. He began posting comedy skits and gaming content, with a particular interest in Fifa. According to Sunday Times, one sponsored video can earn him up to US$250,000.
But a huge portion of his earnings come from outside YouTube. He is in a collective called Sidemen, and co-founded Prime Hydration, an energy drinks brand, alongside Logan Paul, who claimed that the drink earned US$250 million in retail sales a year after launching. The combined star power of the two YouTubers created much hype around the drink, though it is banned in many countries due to its high caffeine levels.
9. DanTDM
Estimated net worth: US$35 million
Another YouTuber climbing steadily through the ranks is Daniel Robert Middleton, a creator who focuses on Minecraft content, though he also plays Pokémon and Roblox. He’s also won a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award for UK Favourite Tipster.
DanTDM currently has 28.4 million subscribers on his channel, and in 2019 the Sunday Times listed him as one of the top 100 influencers. Aside from brand deals and releasing his own merchandise, he also published a graphic novel which spent some time on The New York Times bestsellers list.
8. Jacksepticeye (Sean McLoughlin)
Estimated net worth: US$40 million
With an incredible 30.5 million subscribers to date, Sean McLoughlin, also known as Jacksepticeye, plays video games, but also makes other content including reactions to TikToks and meme reviews, according to his channel description. His content, brand deals and a combined total views of about 110 million have earned him plenty.
7. PewDiePie (Felix Kjellberg)
Estimated net worth: US$45 million
It’s not clear exactly how much popular Swedish gamer and content creator Felix Kjellberg is worth, though some estimates have put it at US$45 million. In a TikTok video, when responding to a fan’s question about his net worth, he says: “Who cares?” At the same time, he’s expressed that the media has undervalued his net worth as he is increasingly viewed by the public as controversial for his allegedly anti-Semitic content and other issues. His videos include video gaming, comedy sketches and daily vlogs.
6. Ryan’s World (Ryan Kaji)
Estimated net worth: US$100 million
What started as simple toy reviews quickly became one of the most popular channels on YouTube, turning Ryan Kaji and his family into internet sensations. The 12-year-old releases a new video daily and is among YouTube’s highest earners. Kaji earns much of his income from brand deals and toy endorsem*nts. For example, the YouTuber partnered with Walmart on a line of toys. A report in The New York Times says the family earned US$25 million from their Ryan’s World merchandise sales. Other companies who have partnered with the preteen include Amazon and Nickelodeon.
4 & 5. Jake and Logan Paul
Estimated net worth: US$155 million (combined)
American YouTubers and internet personalities Jake and Logan Paul have been making YouTube videos since they were kids. Logan Paul has 23.6 million subscribers on YouTube, and a combined audience of 32 million followers across various platforms. His following has allowed him to venture into other avenues such as boxing, adding US$40 million to his annual income and a multimillion-dollar deal with WWE. As mentioned earlier, his drinks venture with KSI brings in another revenue stream. His net worth is estimated to be US$75 million.
Jake Paul, Logan’s brother, is now a professional boxer and attributes much of his success in the boxing arena to the popularity of his YouTube channel, which has 20.5 million subscribers. Jake Paul’s net worth is estimated to be US$80 million.
3. Jeffree Star
Estimated net worth: $200 million
Jeffree Star is among the highest YouTube influencers, earning massive income from brand deals and cosmetic lines, including his own Jeffree Star Cosmetics. Star began making content online on MySpace in 2006 before YouTube and Instagram took off. Jeffrey Lynn Steininger Jr is known for his outrageous fashion choices. Star has also been at the centre of much controversy, including accusations of misogynistic and racist behaviour, as well as sexual assault, which he has denied.
2. Like Nastya (Nastya Radzinskaya)
Estimated net worth: US$20 million to US$260 million
With 110 million followers, Like Nastya, who is just nine years old, has struck a delicate balance between appealing to parents and their kids. Her video content includes painting Halloween cupcakes, playing with friends, family travel trips and Christmas carols. The YouTuber has a variety of series on the channel, which sees her earning about US$28 million from the platform, per Forbes. Other earning streams include a brand deal in 2020 with manufacturer IMG, which produces a range of toys and other kid-friendly merchandise, per Forbes. Reports about her net worth vary widely, ranging from US$20 million to a whopping US$260 million.
1. MrBeast
Estimated net worth: US$500 million
MrBeast, or Jimmy Donaldson, began as a YouTuber at age 13 in 2012, starting with simple Minecraft videos. The now 25-year-old’s videos focuses on philanthropy, big giveaways, reaction videos and fast-paced content, which has seen his following grow to over 200 million subscribers. What makes MrBeast stand out is his philanthropic work, which includes, among other things, building a hundred wells across Africa, giving away US$30 million in free food, and rebuilding homes of tornado survivors. His net worth is a whopping US$500 million, per Forbes.
