Early Life and Background

Felix Kjellberg was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, to Lotta Kristine Johanna (née Tengvall) and Ulf Christian Kjellberg. His father worked as an executive at a corporate sponsorship firm, and his mother was the chief information officer of a cosmetics company.

Kjellberg attended Göteborgs Högre Samskola, where he became interested in video games, anime, and manga. He later studied industrial economics and technology management at Chalmers University of Technology but dropped out in 2011 to focus on his YouTube channel.

The name "PewDiePie" combines the sound of lasers ("pew"), the word "die," and "pie" (as in the suffix "-pie" common in usernames). He originally intended it to sound like a username he might have used as a child.

Career

YouTube Beginnings

Kjellberg created his YouTube channel "PewDiePie" on April 29, 2010, initially posting gameplay videos of popular horror games like Amnesia: The Dark Descent. His energetic reactions and humorous commentary quickly gained attention.

By July 2012, PewDiePie reached 1 million subscribers. His growth accelerated rapidly, reaching 10 million by August 2013 and becoming the most-subscribed channel on YouTube that year.

Content Evolution

While PewDiePie initially focused on horror game Let's Plays, his content diversified over time to include:

• Meme reviews and internet culture commentary
• Reaction videos and commentary on current events
• Vlogs about his personal life and travels
• Collaborations with other YouTubers
• Original series like "LWIAY" (Last Week I Asked You)
• Book reviews and philosophical discussions

Personal Life

Kjellberg married Italian web designer Marzia Bisognin (known online as CutiePieMarzia) in 2019. The couple lived in Brighton, England before relocating to Japan in 2022.

PewDiePie has been open about his struggles with depression and the pressures of internet fame. He has taken several breaks from YouTube to focus on mental health, including a month-long hiatus in 2017.

An avid reader, Kjellberg has shared his interest in philosophy, particularly the works of Friedrich Nietzsche and Albert Camus. He has also expressed admiration for Japanese culture, which influenced his decision to move to Japan.

Philanthropy and Activism

PewDiePie has used his platform for numerous charitable causes:

• Raised over $1.3 million for Charity: Water
• Donated $250,000 to the Anti-Defamation League (later canceled due to controversy)
• Supported various mental health organizations
• Promoted environmental causes and sustainability
• Advocated for fair treatment of content creators by platforms

In 2019, Kjellberg pledged to donate $50,000 to Team Trees, a reforestation initiative that ultimately raised over $20 million.

Milestones and Records

Career Timeline

Cultural Impact and Legacy

PewDiePie's influence on internet culture cannot be overstated. He pioneered the modern Let's Play format and demonstrated the commercial viability of gaming content. His success paved the way for countless gaming creators and helped legitimize YouTube as a career path.

Beyond gaming, PewDiePie has significantly impacted meme culture, with phrases like "But can you do this?" and "Floor gang" entering internet vernacular. His self-aware humor and authenticity have inspired a generation of content creators to embrace their personalities rather than conform to traditional media standards.

Despite controversies, PewDiePie remains one of the most recognizable figures in digital entertainment, proving that independent creators can compete with corporate media entities. His career reflects the evolution of online content from niche hobby to mainstream entertainment.