PewDiePie, born Felix Kjellberg, is a Swedish YouTuber who once held the title of the most-subscribed YouTube channel.
His rise and fall captivated audiences around the world, and the story of PewDiePie is a fascinating tale of fame, controversy, and resilience.
Short Answer – What Happened To PewDiePie? – PewDiePie rose to fame with gaming videos on YouTube, faced controversies like racism & anti-Semitism, lost business partnerships, married Marzia Bisognin, moved to Japan, and announced pregnancy.
This deep dive explores PewDiePie’s meteoric ascent, his battles with controversies and demonetization, and his life beyond the screen.
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PewDiePie – The Humble Beginnings
Felix Kjellberg was born on October 24, 1989, in Gothenburg, Sweden. The son of Lotta Kristine Johanna and Ulf Christian Kjellberg, Felix grew up with his sister, Fanny.
He graduated from high school in 2008, and in 2010, while studying Industrial Economics and Technology Management at Chalmers University of Technology, Felix decided to start a YouTube channel.
PewDiePie’s Family
| Family Member | Name | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| Mother | Lotta Kristine Johanna | Mother |
| Father | Ulf Christian Kjellberg | Father |
| Sister | Fanny | Sister |
The Rise of PewDiePie
In 2010, PewDiePie began uploading videos to YouTube, primarily focused on “Let’s Play” videos, where he played and commented on various video games.
His quirky personality, unique commentary style, and signature “Bro Fist” quickly attracted a following, and by 2012, his channel surpassed one million subscribers.
PewDiePie’s YouTube Milestones
| Year | Milestone | Subscribers |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 Million Subscribers | 1,000,000 |
| 2013 | Most Subscribed Channel | 11,932,254 |
| 2014 | 25 Million Subscribers | 25,000,000 |
| 2016 | 50 Million Subscribers | 50,000,000 |
| 2019 | 100 Million Subscribers | 100,000,000 |
Controversies and Demonetization
As PewDiePie’s popularity grew, he faced an increasing amount of scrutiny, particularly with regard to his content. His sense of humour and edgy jokes were not without controversy, leading to several high-profile incidents that tarnished his reputation and strained his relationships with business partners.
The Fiverr Incident (January 2017)
In one of PewDiePie’s most notorious controversies, he posted a video featuring two men holding a sign that read “Death to All Jews,” which he had commissioned on the freelancing platform Fiverr.
He intended the video to be a commentary on the absurdity of what people would do for money, but it was widely perceived as anti-Semitic.
As a result, the Wall Street Journal published an article highlighting this and other instances of controversial content on PewDiePie’s channel.
Response to the Controversy (February 2017)
Following the Wall Street Journal article, PewDiePie uploaded a video addressing the controversy. In it, he apologized for the offensive content but also criticized the media for taking his jokes out of context and sensationalizing them.
Nevertheless, the damage was done, and the fallout from the Fiverr incident would have lasting repercussions.
Disney and YouTube Sever Ties (February 2017)
In response to the anti-Semitic content, Disney’s Maker Studios, which had been working with PewDiePie, decided to cut ties with him.
YouTube also took action, cancelling the second season of PewDiePie’s YouTube Red series, “Scare PewDiePie,” and removing him from the Google Preferred advertising platform.
These decisions were significant blows to PewDiePie’s career, as they severed major revenue streams and partnerships.
The N-Word Controversy (September 2017)
In another incident, PewDiePie was live-streaming a video game on his channel when he used a racial slur, the N-word, in frustration. The incident sparked widespread condemnation from the YouTube community and reignited the debate about the appropriateness of his content.
PewDiePie apologized for his use of the slur, admitting that it was “extremely immature” and “irresponsible.”
These controversies, among others, cast a shadow over PewDiePie’s career and significantly impacted his standing within the YouTube community.
While he has since made efforts to clean up his content and repair his reputation, these events serve as a reminder of the challenges that come with fame and the importance of responsible content creation in the digital age.
PewDiePie’s Controversies and Demonetization Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Accusations of anti-Semitic content |
| 2017 | Disney and YouTube sever ties |
| 2017 | Cancellation of “Scare PewDiePie” YouTube Red series |
| 2017 | Removal from Google Preferred advertising platform |
Japan and Personal Life
Felix Kjellberg, known as PewDiePie, met Marzia Bisognin, an Italian YouTuber and entrepreneur, in 2011 after Marzia’s friend recommended she watch PewDiePie’s videos.
The two began a long-distance relationship, with Marzia eventually moving to Sweden to be with Felix. Over the years, their relationship has been documented in numerous YouTube videos, with Marzia often appearing in Felix’s content.
In April 2018, PewDiePie proposed to Marzia, and they announced their engagement on social media. The couple was married in a private ceremony at London’s Kew Gardens on August 19, 2019, surrounded by close friends and family. Photos from the event were shared on the couple’s social media profiles, and fans worldwide congratulated the pair on their union.
In 2020, PewDiePie and Marzia relocated from the United Kingdom to Japan, a country they had both expressed a deep love for in their videos. They have shared their experiences of living in Japan on social media and through their YouTube channels, showcasing their new home and the cultural experiences they’ve enjoyed. The couple has expressed their appreciation for the Japanese lifestyle and their excitement at starting a new chapter of their lives in the country.
In February 2023, PewDiePie and Marzia announced that they were expecting their first child together. The couple shared the news through an emotional video posted on PewDiePie’s YouTube channel, as well as on their respective social media accounts. Fans worldwide celebrated the announcement, expressing their joy and support for the couple as they embarked on this new journey as parents.
The personal life of PewDiePie and Marzia has been an integral part of their online presence, with fans following their relationship from its inception to their recent pregnancy announcement. As they continue to share their experiences and adventures in Japan, their story serves as a reminder of the human side of online content creators, who live their lives beyond the screen.
PewDiePie’s Personal Life
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Engagement to Marzia Bisognin |
| 2019 | Marriage to Marzia Bisognin |
| 2020 | Relocation to Japan |
The Fall and Rebirth of PewDiePie
Despite the controversies and setbacks, PewDiePie continued to create content and maintain a loyal fanbase. However, in early 2019, an Indian music label and film production company, T-Series, overtook PewDiePie as the most-subscribed YouTube channel.
The rivalry between PewDiePie and T-Series led to a massive online campaign known as “Subscribe to PewDiePie,” which garnered international attention. Though he eventually conceded the title to T-Series, this event further solidified PewDiePie’s impact on the YouTube community.
PewDiePie vs. T-Series
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2019 | T-Series overtakes PewDiePie as most-subscribed channel |
| 2019 | “Subscribe to PewDiePie” campaign begins |
| 2019 | PewDiePie concedes the title to T-Series |
In the wake of these events, PewDiePie shifted his content focus, moving away from “Let’s Play” videos and expanding into other areas, such as commentary, vlogs, and even book reviews. He also took a brief hiatus from YouTube in early 2020, citing the need for a break from the platform.
PewDiePie Philanthropy and the Future
Despite the controversies that have plagued his career, PewDiePie has remained dedicated to using his platform for good. He has raised millions of dollars for various charities, including Save the Children, World Wildlife Fund, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, among others.
PewDiePie’s Philanthropy
| Year | Charity/Event | Amount Raised |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Save the Children | $342,828 |
| 2016 | World Wildlife Fund | $152,239 |
| 2018 | St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital | $200,000 |
Today, PewDiePie continues to create content for his millions of subscribers, evolving and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of YouTube.
Though his time as the most-subscribed channel has come to an end, PewDiePie’s legacy remains an important part of YouTube’s history, and his future endeavours will likely continue to captivate audiences around the world.
Finally…
The rise and fall of PewDiePie is a story of triumph, controversy, and resilience. From his humble beginnings in Sweden to the pinnacle of YouTube stardom, PewDiePie has navigated the ups and downs of fame while maintaining a loyal fanbase and making a lasting impact on the world of online content creation.
As he continues to evolve and adapt, it’s clear that PewDiePie’s story is far from over, and the world eagerly awaits what the future holds for this iconic YouTuber.
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