Global YouTube sensation Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has made digital history by becoming the first YouTube account to reach 500 million subscribers.
The milestone was officially achieved on 12 June 2026, further cementing MrBeast’s position as the most-subscribed creator on the platform and one of the most influential figures in online media.
To mark the occasion, Donaldson hosted a special 500 Million Subscriber livestream that attracted more than 600,000 concurrent viewers. During the broadcast, he reflected on his journey by revisiting some of his earliest videos and celebrating the achievement with fans from around the world.
The milestone also prompted a unique recognition from YouTube. As the platform’s Creator Awards traditionally stop at 100 million subscribers, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan presented Donaldson with a custom-made 500 Million Play Button. The one-of-a-kind award featured MrBeast’s signature blue and pink branding and was created specifically to commemorate the unprecedented achievement.
MrBeast’s rise to the top of YouTube has been years in the making. Known for his large-scale challenges, philanthropic initiatives and high-budget productions, he first surpassed PewDiePie as the platform’s most-subscribed individual creator in 2022. In June 2024, he overtook T-Series to become the most-subscribed channel on YouTube overall.
What began as a teenager uploading videos from his bedroom has evolved into a global media empire with hundreds of millions of followers across multiple platforms. His content regularly generates hundreds of millions of views and has redefined the scale and ambition of creator-led entertainment.
The 500 million subscriber milestone is not only a personal achievement for Donaldson but also a landmark moment in the history of digital content creation, highlighting the growing influence of independent creators in the global media landscape.
As YouTube continues to evolve, MrBeast’s latest record further demonstrates the platform’s ability to transform creators into worldwide brands capable of reaching audiences on a scale once reserved for traditional media companies.