Forbes has unveiled its annual Top Creators list, revealing that the highest-earning internet star made an eye-watering £222 million. The list highlights the growing financial power of social media personalities, with the top 50 creators collectively earning $1.02 billion for the first time in the list's five-year history.
MrBeast Leads with £222 Million Empire
YouTube sensation MrBeast, 28, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, tops the list with an estimated net worth of £222 million. His empire of extravagant challenges, giveaways, and business ventures has transformed him from a teenager filming in his bedroom into one of the most powerful figures on the internet.
Dhar Mann and Steven Bartlett in Top Three
Motivational creator Dhar Mann ranks second with earnings of approximately £50 million and 171 million followers. British entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, 33, host of the Diary of the CEO podcast, takes third place with earnings of £40 million. Bartlett's inclusion underscores the growing influence of podcast stars in the creator economy.
Gaming and Comedy Stars Follow
Gaming streamer Markiplier, 36, ranks fourth with earnings just under £30 million, thanks to his 76.8 million followers and a successful film debut. Comedy duo Rhett & Link round out the top five, with their YouTube series Good Mythical Morning attracting nearly 20 million viewers and an estimated worth of £28 million.
Surprising Additions to the List
Original TikTok star Charli D’Amelio, 22, and her sister Dixie, 24, made the list, as did sports entertainer Jesser and lifestyle influencer Alix Earle, 25. A surprising entry is children's entertainer Ms. Rachel, 43, who built a huge brand through her YouTube series launched in 2019. Her videos, beloved by children globally, have generated billions of views and an estimated worth of roughly £20 million.
Creator Economy Breaks Billion-Dollar Mark
For the first time in the five-year history of the Top Creators list, the ranking of the 50 most powerful influencers collectively brought in $1.02 billion. Dhar Mann told Forbes, "The greatest thing that happened to me was that I had no traditional studio or filmmaking experience," reflecting the organic growth driving the creator economy.
