Jimmy Donaldson, widely known as MrBeast, is one of the most prominent YouTubers in the world, celebrated for his extravagant challenges and philanthropy. While much is known about his professional life, his personal life, particularly details about his father, remains less discussed. This article explores what is publicly known about MrBeast’s father, delving into available information while respecting the privacy he maintains.
Background
MrBeast, born James Stephen Donaldson on May 7, 1998, in Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Greenville, North Carolina, has built a global following through his YouTube channel, which boasts over 341 million subscribers as of January 2025. Despite his openness in videos, Jimmy keeps details about his family, especially his father, relatively private. This has led to curiosity among fans, with limited but significant details emerging from various sources.
Personal Details of MrBeast’s Father
The following table summarizes the publicly available information about MrBeast’s father, based on credible sources:
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Charles Donaldson |
| Relationship to MrBeast | Biological father |
| Marital Status | Divorced from Susan Parisher (MrBeast’s mother) in 2007 |
| Military Background | U.S. military veteran |
| Current Relationship with MrBeast | Estranged; Jimmy has not been in contact with his father for years |
| Notable Information | Reports suggest a history of domestic abuse toward Susan Parisher and possibly her children, contributing to the family’s estrangement |
Note: Information is sourced from web reports and may not be exhaustive due to limited public disclosures.
Context and Family Dynamics
Charles Donaldson, a U.S. military veteran, was married to Susan Parisher, also a military veteran, until their divorce in 2007. Susan has since taken on a significant role in Jimmy’s career, serving as the Chief Compliance Officer for MrBeast LLC, overseeing finances. She has been featured in videos, such as “Surprising My Mom With $100,000+ Home Makeover,” highlighting a close relationship with her son.
In contrast, Jimmy’s relationship with his father is described as estranged. Reports, including discussions on platforms like Reddit, indicate that Charles Donaldson left the family after a history of domestic abuse toward Susan and possibly her children, including Jimmy. Susan authored a book and maintained a blog (now inactive) detailing her experiences with domestic violence, which contributed to the public’s understanding of the family’s challenges. These accounts suggest that Jimmy’s reluctance to discuss his father stems from painful childhood experiences.
Stepfather’s Role
Following the divorce, Jimmy’s mother married a man named Tracy, who is referred to as MrBeast’s stepfather. Tracy has appeared in several of Jimmy’s videos, including “Surprising My Mom With $100,000+ House Makeover” and “I Bought A Car Using Only Pennies,” where he was gifted a car. Tracy serves as an operations manager at MrBeast YouTube LLC, indicating a supportive role in both family and business. This contrasts sharply with the absence of Charles Donaldson in Jimmy’s life and content.
Why the Secrecy?
Jimmy’s decision to keep details about his father private aligns with his broader approach to shielding personal matters from public scrutiny. Unlike his mother and stepfather, who have been integrated into his content, Charles Donaldson’s absence reflects a deliberate choice, likely influenced by the reported abuse and estrangement. This privacy allows Jimmy to maintain his channel’s positive, high-energy persona, focusing on entertainment and philanthropy rather than personal hardships.
Conclusion
While MrBeast’s father, Charles Donaldson, is a U.S. military veteran and part of Jimmy’s early life, their estrangement and reports of past domestic abuse have led to minimal public information. Jimmy’s focus on his mother, Susan Parisher, and stepfather, Tracy, in both his personal life and content underscores the family dynamics that have shaped his journey. By keeping his father out of the spotlight, MrBeast preserves a narrative of resilience and positivity, which resonates with his global audience.
