Look, if you’ve been online at all in the last ten years, you know the name. You’ve heard the scream. You’ve seen the “Brofist.” Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie, isn’t just some YouTuber. He’s basically the internet’s main character. I still remember sitting in my college dorm room, procrastinating on a massive history paper, watching this Swedish guy absolutely lose his mind over a barrel in Amnesia: The Dark Descent. It didn’t feel like a production. It felt like my friend was on the other side of the screen, freaking out for my entertainment.
Now? That screaming gamer is a calm, stoic dad living his best life in Japan. It’s been a crazy transition to watch. Whether you’ve been part of the “Bro Army” since 2012 or you’re just trying to figure out how one guy got 111 million people to subscribe to him, you’re in the right spot. Let’s talk about the stats, the drama, and the insane amount of money the King of YouTube has made along the way.
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Key Takeaways
- Full Name: Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg
- Age: 36 (Born October 24, 1989)
- Height: 5’11” (approx. 1.80 m)
- Estimated Net Worth: $40 Million – $60 Million
- Wife: Marzia Kjellberg (née Bisognin)
- Children: One son, Björn (Born July 2023)
- Residence: Tokyo, Japan
- YouTube Status: Semi-retired, mostly doing “vlog” stuff and enjoying dad life.
Who Is Felix Kjellberg, Really?
We see the internet persona, but who’s the actual guy? Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg was born on October 24, 1989, in Gothenburg, Sweden. His parents, Lotta and Ulf, had pretty serious corporate jobs—his mom was a CIO and his dad was an executive. So, Felix had a totally normal, stable upbringing.
I remember reading these old interviews where he talked about being a kid. He wasn’t the loud, chaotic character we saw screaming at Happy Wheels. He was actually kind of shy. He was super artistic, drawing characters like Mario and Sonic for hours. That artistic side is actually huge—it explains why his early editing was so different from everyone else’s. He wasn’t just playing games; he was making art out of the gameplay.
Why Did He Drop Out of a Prestigious University?
This part of his story always gets messed up by people who don’t know the lore. Felix didn’t drop out of some random community college. He walked away from Chalmers University of Technology, which is a big deal in Sweden. He was studying Industrial Economics. Sounds smart, right?
Problem was, he hated it. He was bored out of his mind. He didn’t quit to “become a YouTuber” because that wasn’t even a real job back in 2011. He quit because he wanted to create things, not sit in lecture halls. When he left Chalmers, his parents were obviously freaked out, so they cut him off financially.
That led to the “hot dog stand” era. To buy a better computer for editing, Felix worked as a harbor captain and sold hot dogs. I love this detail. Imagine buying a hot dog in Gothenburg in 2011, having no clue that the guy handing you the ketchup is about to become the most famous face on the planet. He didn’t wait for a handout. He grinded for it.
How Did PewDiePie Become the King of YouTube?
It’s hard to explain just how fast he blew up. He started the “PewDiePie” channel in 2010. Fun fact: he had an old channel called “Pewdie” but forgot the password, so he just added “Pie” to the end. A multi-million dollar empire basically exists because he lost a password.
What Sparked the “Bro Army” Phenomenon?
Back then, gaming videos were boring. People just played the game and maybe mumbled a few tips. Felix changed everything. He made himself the show. He played horror games like Slender and turned them into comedy routines. He gave voices to inanimate objects (Stephano the statue, anyone?) and treated the camera like a best friend.
I miss the “Fridays with PewDiePie” days. It was like a weekly ritual for me. He’d open fan mail, look at memes, and just hang out. He built a real community, not just a fan club. He called us the “Bro Army,” and ended every video with a “Brofist” to the screen. Yeah, it sounds cringe now, but back then? It made you feel like you belonged to something. By 2013, he passed Smosh to become the most-subscribed channel on YouTube, and he stayed there for six years.
Remember the T-Series Rivalry?
We can’t skip the “PewDiePie vs. T-Series” war. In late 2018, this Indian record label, T-Series, started catching up to his subscriber count. The internet went absolute feral. “Subscribe to PewDiePie” was everywhere. People bought billboards in Times Square. Hackers even printed the message on thousands of unsecured office printers around the world.
It was chaotic, sure, but it showed how loyal his fanbase was. T-Series eventually won (because, you know, they’re a massive corporation), but Felix became the first individual creator to hit 100 million subscribers. He celebrated, realized the meme had gone too far, and wisely decided to step back. He killed the “Subscribe” meme and pivoted to just making content he actually liked.
How Much Is PewDiePie Worth in 2025?
Everyone wants to know the number. When you’re the king for a decade, the money piles up. But Felix is weirdly private about cash. He doesn’t drive flash cars or flex watches on Instagram.
What Are His Main Income Streams?
Most estimates for 2025 put PewDiePie’s net worth somewhere between $40 million and $60 million. Honestly? It’s probably higher.
- Ad Revenue: Even though he uploads less now, he has like 4,700 videos in his backlog. That generates passive income while he sleeps.
- Sponsorships: He doesn’t do as many brand deals anymore, but the ones he does (like NordVPN or G-Fuel) pay huge.
- Merch (Tsuki): He and his wife Marzia started a unisex clothing brand called Tsuki. It’s not cheap YouTuber merch; it’s actual high-quality fashion. It sells out constantly.
- Games & Books: remember Legend of the Brofist? That app printed money for a while.
He said in a video once that he has “enough money to never work again.” That freedom is why he can live in Tokyo and just vibe.
Who Is Marzia, and How Did They Meet?
You can’t talk about Felix without Marzia. Marzia Kjellberg (née Bisognin) is basically royalty to the fans. Their story is honestly the most wholesome thing on the internet.
Was It Love at First Email?
Kinda! In 2011, Marzia’s friend sent her a link to one of Felix’s videos. She thought he was funny, so she emailed him. Felix wrote back. They started talking online, and then Felix—being a total romantic—saved up his money and flew to Italy to meet her. It’s like a movie plot.
They moved in together, lived in Sweden, then Italy, then settled in Brighton, UK for a long time. Marzia had her own massive YouTube channel, but she retired in 2018 to focus on her mental health. I remember watching her goodbye video. It was super dignified. She chose her happiness over fame, and Felix supported her 100%.
What Was the Wedding Like?
On August 19, 2019—exactly eight years after they met—they got married at Kew Gardens in London. The photos were everywhere. It was small, intimate, and beautiful. Felix, who usually jokes about everything, looked genuinely overwhelmed. He posted, “I’m the happiest I can be.” It felt like the season finale we’d all been waiting for.
The Great Move to Japan
Felix and Marzia had been talking about moving to Japan for years. They bought a house in Tokyo in 2019. Then… well, 2020 happened. The world shut down.
How Did They Manage the Move With the Dogs?
Japan had some of the strictest border rules during the pandemic. They were stuck waiting for nearly three years. It became a running joke, but you could tell it was draining them. Finally, in May 2022, they got the green light.
Getting there was a nightmare because of their pugs, Edgar and Maya. Airlines are sketchy about flying pets, especially old pugs with breathing issues. Maya was super old, and Edgar was… well, a bit fat. So, Felix rented a private jet. He didn’t do it to show off. He did it because it was the only safe way to get his dogs across the world. He joked, “I flew private because my dog is too fat,” but any dog owner gets it.
Sad update though: In December 2022, Felix announced that Maya had passed away at 17. It hit the community hard. Maya, the one-eyed pug, had been there since the start. Felix posted a really sweet tribute, saying he was just glad she made it to Japan with them. Edgar is still kicking, usually snoring in the background of the new vlogs.
PewDiePie the Father: A New Era
If moving to Japan was a new chapter, July 2023 was a whole new book. Felix and Marzia had their first kid, a son named Björn.
How Has Fatherhood Changed His Content?
When they announced the pregnancy, everyone was shocked. The guy who used to scream at Happy Wheels was gonna be a dad? When Björn was born, Felix took a real break.
Since he came back, his videos are totally different. He’s softer. He’s reflective. The vlogs now are just glimpses of “Dad Life”—walking Björn around Tokyo, building cribs, dealing with baby stuff. He hides Björn’s face to protect his privacy, which is smart, but you can tell he’s obsessed with the kid.
I watched a video recently where he was just walking around carrying his son, talking about philosophy. It’s a long way from the horror games, but it fits him. He grew up, and we grew up with him.
Physical Stats: Height and Fitness
People are always shocked when they see Felix standing next to other people. He’s about 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters). He’s also gotten super fit recently.
When Did He Get Ripped?
Around 2020, Felix decided to stop being a skinny gamer. He started lifting heavy and fixing his diet. He posted this one “shredded” photo on Instagram that went viral instantly. It wasn’t just vanity, though. He talked a lot about how working out helped his mental health. It actually inspired a ton of his fans to start hitting the gym too. “Floor Gang” became “Fit Gang.”
Conclusion: The Legacy of Felix Kjellberg
So, what’s the verdict on PewDiePie in 2025? He’s a survivor. He survived the algorithm changes, the media hit pieces, the burnout, and the pressure of being Number One. He managed to pivot from a hyper-energetic gamer to a chill vlogger without losing his soul.
He proved you don’t have to fade away. You can just evolve. He built an empire, married his dream girl, and started a family. For those of us who clicked “Subscribe” back in 2012, seeing him happy is honestly the best content he could put out. He might not be the biggest channel anymore, but he’s definitely the most successful human on the platform.
Read more about PewDiePie’s historic move to Japan here.
FAQs
Who is Felix Kjellberg and what is he famous for?
Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, known as PewDiePie, is a Swedish YouTuber famous for his gaming videos, comedic content, and as the internet’s main character, with over 111 million subscribers.
What was Felix Kjellberg’s childhood like?
Felix was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, to parents with corporate jobs, had a normal upbringing, was shy as a child, and was highly artistic, which influenced his early YouTube editing style.
Why did Felix Kjellberg drop out of university?
He left Chalmers University of Technology because he was bored of his Industrial Economics studies and wanted to focus on creating content rather than attending lectures, which led to him working various jobs to support himself.
How did PewDiePie become the most popular YouTuber?
He started his channel in 2010, innovated gaming content by making himself the show, created a community called the Bro Army, and gained fame through humorous horror game videos, eventually surpassing other channels in subscribers.
What is PewDiePie’s current life situation including his family and residence?
He is a semi-retired YouTuber living in Tokyo, Japan, married to Marzia Kjellberg, with whom he has a son named Björn, and he enjoys a peaceful family life, focusing on vlogs and fatherhood.
