PewDiePie dominated YouTube for nearly a decade as the platform’s most-subscribed individual creator. Felix Kjellberg transformed gaming commentary into a global entertainment empire, amassing millions of subscribers and building substantial wealth in the process.
But how much money does PewDiePie have, and how did a Swedish gamer become one of the richest YouTubers? This breakdown examines PewDiePie’s net worth, his rise to fame, revenue streams, and current financial status after stepping back from regular uploads.
What Is PewDiePie’s Net Worth in 2025?
PewDiePie’s net worth is estimated at $40 million as of 2025, according to multiple celebrity wealth tracking platforms. Felix Kjellberg accumulated this fortune through YouTube ad revenue, sponsorships, merchandise sales, investments, and his indie game studio.
PewDiePie net worth 2025 reflects both his peak earning years (2014-2019) and more modest income after reducing his upload frequency. While no longer YouTube’s most-subscribed creator, his financial foundation remains solid through diversified income and smart investments.
Who Is PewDiePie? Real Name and Background
PewDiePie’s real name is Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg. He was born on October 24, 1989, in Gothenburg, Sweden. Felix Kjellberg age is currently 35 years old as of 2025.
PewDiePie ethnicity is Swedish, and he maintains Swedish nationality despite living abroad for years. Where is PewDiePie from? He grew up in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city, before moving to Italy and later Japan.
How Old Was PewDiePie When He Started YouTube?
Felix created his PewDiePie channel in 2010 when he was 21 years old. He initially uploaded Let’s Play videos of horror and action games while attending Chalmers University of Technology, where he studied industrial economics and technology management.
He dropped out of university in 2011 to focus on YouTube full-time, a decision his parents initially opposed. He sold artwork and worked at a hot dog stand to support himself during YouTube’s early days before monetization provided sufficient income.
How PewDiePie Built His YouTube Empire
Felix Kjellberg’s rise to YouTube stardom happened through consistent uploads, authentic personality, and evolving content that connected with millions.
Early Gaming Content (2010-2014)
PewDiePie initially focused on Let’s Play gaming videos, particularly horror games like Amnesia: The Dark Descent. His energetic reactions, comedic commentary, and genuine personality set him apart from other gaming channels.
By 2012, his subscriber count exploded as gaming content gained mainstream popularity on YouTube. PewDiePie’s 2012 growth established him as YouTube’s fastest-growing channel, surpassing one million subscribers that year.
Becoming YouTube’s Biggest Channel (2013-2019)
In August 2013, PewDiePie became YouTube’s most-subscribed channel, a position he held (with brief exceptions) until 2019. His content evolved beyond pure gaming to include vlogs, comedy sketches, meme reviews, and commentary videos.
PewDiePie subscribers peaked at over 111 million during the “Subscribe to PewDiePie” campaign against T-Series in 2018-2019. How many subscribers does PewDiePie have in 2023-2025? Approximately 111 million, though he no longer actively grows as he uploads infrequently.
Content Evolution and Controversies
Felix faced several controversies including the 2017 Fiverr incident where he paid people to hold offensive signs, and the 2019 Christchurch tragedy where the shooter mentioned his name. These incidents led to Disney dropping his network Maker Studios and YouTube canceling his premium series.
Despite controversies, PewDiePie maintained his core audience by addressing issues directly, apologizing when appropriate, and continuing to create content his fans enjoyed.
How Much Does PewDiePie Make? Revenue Breakdown
At his peak, PewDiePie made approximately $15-20 million annually. His income varied significantly year-to-year based on upload frequency, sponsorships, and YouTube’s algorithm changes.
YouTube Ad Revenue
How much does PewDiePie make per video? During peak years, individual videos generated $10,000-$50,000 in ad revenue depending on views and advertiser demand. Videos with millions of views in the first 24 hours could exceed $100,000 in total lifetime earnings.
PewDiePie net worth per month from YouTube ads alone ranged from $500,000 to over $1 million during 2016-2018. However, the “adpocalypse” and subsequent advertiser pullbacks significantly reduced CPM rates for many creators, including Felix.
Sponsorships and Brand Deals
PewDiePie sponsors have included major gaming and tech companies willing to pay premium rates for access to his massive audience. Individual sponsorship deals ranged from $50,000 for smaller campaigns to over $1 million for major partnerships.
Companies that worked with PewDiePie included gaming peripheral manufacturers, mobile games, and entertainment platforms. However, after controversies, many mainstream brands became hesitant to associate with him directly.
Merchandise Sales
PewDiePie launched multiple merchandise lines that generated millions in revenue. His partnership with Represent and later independent merch drops sold clothing, accessories, and collectibles to his dedicated fanbase.
Peak merchandise revenue likely exceeded $5 million annually during 2017-2019 when his subscriber base was most engaged and growing rapidly.
Book Deal
Felix published “This Book Loves You” in 2015, a parody self-help book that became an international bestseller. While book sales represented a smaller portion of his income, it added six figures to his annual earnings.
PewDiePie’s Net Worth Compared to Other YouTubers
How does Felix’s wealth compare to other top creators?
| YouTuber | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|
| MrBeast | $500 million+ |
| Jeffree Star | $200 million |
| Ryan Kaji (Ryan’s World) | $100 million |
| Markiplier | $45 million |
| PewDiePie | $40 million |
| DanTDM | $35 million |
Which YouTuber is the richest? MrBeast currently holds the title of richest YouTuber with an estimated net worth exceeding $500 million through aggressive reinvestment in content, brand deals, and business ventures like Feastables and MrBeast Burger.
Is MrBeast richer than PewDiePie? Yes, significantly. MrBeast’s aggressive business expansion and viral content strategy have generated wealth that far exceeds PewDiePie’s more traditional YouTuber approach.
Is PewDiePie a Billionaire?
No, PewDiePie is not a billionaire. Despite being YouTube’s most-subscribed individual creator for years, his net worth of $40 million falls far short of billionaire status.
Is PewDiePie a millionaire? Yes, many times over. His $40 million net worth places him among the wealthiest content creators, though below mega-rich creators like MrBeast and business-focused YouTubers who’ve built companies beyond content creation.
Marzia Kjellberg Net Worth and Marriage
Marzia Kjellberg net worth is estimated at $2-5 million independently of Felix’s wealth. Born Marzia Bisognin, she’s an Italian internet personality, fashion designer, and entrepreneur.
Marzia ran her own successful YouTube channel “CutiePieMarzia” before retiring from content creation in 2018. She now focuses on her business ventures including jewelry, pottery, and fashion design.
Felix and Marzia married in August 2019 in a private ceremony in London. The couple lives in Japan as of 2025, having moved from the UK to escape constant media attention and enjoy greater privacy.
Does PewDiePie Have Kids?
As of 2025, Felix and Marzia have not publicly announced having children. While there was speculation in 2023-2024 about a potential pregnancy, the couple maintains strict privacy about their personal life.
Where Does PewDiePie Currently Live?
Where does PewDiePie currently live? Felix and Marzia moved to Japan in 2022, settling in Tokyo after years in Brighton, UK. They chose Japan for its culture, privacy laws that protect celebrities from paparazzi, and their love of Japanese culture.
PewDiePie’s house in Japan is reportedly a luxury apartment or home in Tokyo, though exact details remain private for security reasons.
PewDiePie’s Business Ventures Beyond YouTube
Felix has diversified his income through strategic business investments and creative projects.
Tsuki Market and Indie Game Studio
Felix launched Tsuki Market, a lifestyle brand selling Japanese-inspired products and merchandise. The brand aligns with his current residence in Japan and interest in Japanese culture.
He also co-founded an indie game studio developing creative gaming projects, though specific titles and release dates haven’t been widely publicized.
Investments and Real Estate
PewDiePie’s wealth includes real estate investments in multiple countries. He’s owned properties in Sweden, the UK, and now Japan. Real estate likely accounts for $5-10 million of his total net worth.
He’s also invested in stocks, cryptocurrency, and other traditional investment vehicles to preserve and grow wealth beyond YouTube’s volatile income.
How Much Has PewDiePie Made Throughout His Career?
Total career earnings for PewDiePie likely exceed $60-70 million before taxes and expenses. This includes:
- YouTube ad revenue: $35-45 million
- Sponsorships: $15-20 million
- Merchandise: $8-12 million
- Book sales and other ventures: $2-3 million
After taxes (Sweden and UK both have high tax rates), business expenses, and cost of living, his current net worth of $40 million represents prudent financial management and investment.
PewDiePie’s Subscriber Count and Channel Stats
How many subscribers does PewDiePie have? As of 2025, PewDiePie has approximately 111 million subscribers, making him the most-subscribed individual creator on YouTube (excluding channels like T-Series and SET India).
Channel Statistics
- Total views: Over 29 billion
- Total videos: 4,700+
- Average views per video: 6-15 million (varies widely)
- Upload frequency: Sporadic since 2022
How many videos does PewDiePie have? His channel contains over 4,700 videos uploaded since 2010, though he’s removed some older controversial content.
Did PewDiePie Retire? Current Status
When did PewDiePie retire? Felix hasn’t officially retired but significantly reduced uploads starting in 2022. He announced an indefinite break to focus on personal life, mental health, and projects outside daily content creation.
Is PewDiePie dead? No, this is a persistent internet rumor with no basis in fact. Felix is alive and occasionally posts updates on social media and uploads sporadic YouTube videos.
PewDiePie’s 2022-2025 content consists of occasional vlogs, special projects, and videos he creates for enjoyment rather than algorithmic optimization.
FAQs About PewDiePie Net Worth
PewDiePie’s net worth is approximately $40 million as of 2025.
MrBeast is currently the richest YouTuber with an estimated net worth exceeding $500 million. His aggressive reinvestment strategy, viral content, and business ventures like Feastables and MrBeast Burger have generated wealth far beyond traditional content creation.
At his peak (2016-2019), PewDiePie made $15-20 million annually. His income declined after reducing upload frequency but stabilized through investments and passive income streams.
Final Thoughts: PewDiePie’s Lasting Legacy
PewDiePie’s net worth of $40 million represents one of YouTube’s greatest success stories. From a Swedish college dropout selling hot dogs to fund his passion, Felix Kjellberg became the platform’s biggest individual creator and maintained that position for years.
While newer creators like MrBeast have surpassed his wealth through different strategies, PewDiePie’s influence on YouTube culture, gaming content, and creator economics remains undeniable. He proved that authenticity, consistency, and genuine connection with audiences could build generational wealth.
His decision to step back from daily uploads and prioritize personal life over maximum earnings shows maturity often lacking in creator culture. At 35 years old with $40 million in the bank, Felix has secured financial freedom while maintaining the option to return to content creation whenever he chooses.
