MrBeast says he has ‘negative money’ despite billionaire valuation of Beast Industries

MrBeast says he has ‘negative money’, explaining that most of his wealth is tied up in businesses, not cash

YouTube creator MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has said he currently has “negative money” despite widespread perceptions that he is a billionaire.

Donaldson, 27, addressed his personal finances in a recent video interview with the Wall Street Journal, responding to public assumptions about his wealth.

According to Forbes, he earned an estimated $85 million in the year leading up to June 2025, while Fortune has reported that his company, Beast Industries, carries a valuation of $5 billion.

“It’s funny talking about my personal finances because no one ever believes anything I say, because they’re like, ‘You’re a billionaire,’” Donaldson said. “I’m like, that’s net worth.”

He added that his personal financial position is far more limited than many assume. “I actually … I have negative money right now. I’m borrowing money. That’s how little money I have,” he said, explaining that the equity value of his company does not translate into day-to-day spending money.

Donaldson has previously stated that he keeps less than $1 million in his personal bank account and considers himself a billionaire only “on paper”.

He told the Wall Street Journal that he does not focus on his personal finances, saying he is “laser-focused” on producing content and expanding his business.

In a June 2025 post on X, Donaldson said he was borrowing money from his mother to help pay for his wedding, explaining that he reinvests most of his income into content creation.

He wrote that his businesses may be valuable on paper, but his personal cash holdings remain limited as a result.