Content creator Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as MrBeast, has retained the top spot on the 2026 Forbes Top Creators list as the world’s 50 highest-earning digital creators generated more than $1 billion in combined earnings for the first time.
Forbes released the 2026 ranking on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, revealing that the top 50 creators earned a combined $1.02 billion between March 2025 and March 2026, marking a 20 per cent increase from the $853 million recorded in 2025 and an 80 per cent rise since the inaugural list in 2022.
Donaldson, who has held the number one position for consecutive years, recorded an estimated $300 million in earnings and an estimated $1 billion enterprise value, driven by revenue from YouTube, Beast Games, Feastables, Lunchly, merchandise sales and other business ventures.
According to Forbes, the latest figures underscore the rapid growth of the creator economy, with many digital creators expanding beyond social media into businesses spanning entertainment, consumer products and technology.
The publication ranked Dhar Mann second, followed by Steven Bartlett, Markiplier, Rhett & Link, Charli D’Amelio, Druski, IShowSpeed, Mark Rober and Codie Sanchez to complete the top 10.
Forbes said the milestone reflects the increasing commercial influence of online creators, many of whom have transformed their personal brands into multimillion-dollar enterprises with diverse revenue streams beyond advertising income.
The ranking highlights the continued expansion of the global creator economy, as digital entrepreneurs increasingly compete with traditional media companies in audience reach, brand influence and commercial success.