MrBeast Is a Billionaire… Who Can’t Afford McDonald’s

MrBeast, the YouTube star known for giving away millions of dollars in challenges and building massive online businesses, has revealed that his personal finances look nothing like what most people imagine when they hear the word “billionaire.”

Despite being valued at over $2.6 billion through his ownership of Beast Industries and other ventures, Jimmy Donaldson says he often has less than $1 million in his own bank account — and sometimes even negative cash.

The reason is simple but surprising: almost all of his wealth is tied up in his companies, not in liquid cash. That includes his YouTube empire, Feastables, MrBeast Burger, and large-scale media productions. Those assets can make him extremely wealthy on paper, but they can’t be used to pay for everyday expenses like food, rent, or personal purchases.

Donaldson explained that he reinvestes nearly everything he earns back into his projects. Each video, show, or new venture costs millions to produce, and the money goes directly into building bigger productions and expanding his business. As a result, he often borrows money to keep things moving while waiting for revenue to come back in.