Net Worth Ranker
What Is El Rubius’ Net Worth?
As of today, March 19, 2025, Rubén Doblas Gundersen, more popularly known as El Rubius, has accumulated a net worth of $7 million. This financial standing is primarily attributed to his successful career as a YouTube personality, bolstered by earnings from gameplay videos, vlogs, and various ventures into other media formats.
El Rubius’ Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on February 13, 1990, in Mijas, Andalusia, Spain, to a Norwegian mother and Spanish father, El Rubius’ early life involved moving between Spain and Norway. His parents divorced when he was three, leading him to reside in Bergen, Norway, with his mother, Bente. He later moved back to Madrid following his mother’s relationship with a Spanish man. El Rubius attended primary and secondary school in Madrid and later studied 3D modeling and animation at Madrid’s Arteneo School. His initial exposure to gaming through the SNES significantly shaped his interests and future career path, sparking his passion for video games and geek culture.
El Rubius officially started his YouTube journey in 2006 with the launch of his first channel, “elrubius,” featuring a montage of “Grand Theft Auto IV.” In 2011, facing copyright issues that prevented him from associating with Machinima Network, Inc., he created a new YouTube channel, “elrubiusOMG.” This strategic move proved pivotal, allowing him to continue and expand his content creation. By 2012, El Rubius began creating videos summarizing video games in one minute, which quickly became viral sensations in Spain, significantly boosting his popularity and viewership.
YouTube Success and Channel Growth
The “elrubiusOMG” channel has grown immensely over the years. As of now, the channel boasts 40.4 million subscribers, with videos amassing over 7.4 billion views. One of his most popular videos, “Minero,” a “Minecraft”-themed parody of the Chayanne song “Torero,” has garnered over 106 million views since its release in 2012. This immense success has not only established El Rubius as a prominent figure in the YouTube community but has also significantly contributed to his net worth.
El Rubius has received multiple YouTube Creator Awards, marking his milestones of reaching 100,000 subscribers in 2012, one million subscribers in 2013, and ten million subscribers in 2015. By 2019, his YouTube channel was the most subscribed channel in Spain, cementing his status as a leading content creator. In 2021, his channel was recognized as one of the top 50 YouTube channels globally in terms of subscriber count, further solidifying his impact and influence in the digital content landscape. El Rubius’s consistent content creation and strategic channel management have been instrumental in achieving these milestones and maintaining a strong online presence.
Ventures into Literature and Television
Expanding beyond YouTube, El Rubius has also ventured into literature and television. In 2014, he published “El Libro Troll” (“The Troll Book”), which became a #1 bestseller in Spain for eight weeks and was a standout hit at the Madrid Book Fair that year. Following this success, he released three “Virtual Hero” comic books in 2015 and 2017, demonstrating his versatility and appeal to a broader audience. The success of these books has added to El Rubius’s income.
From 2018 to 2020, an animated series based on his “Virtual Hero” comic books aired on the Spanish digital television service Movistar+. El Rubius not only created the concept but also voiced himself in the series. The show ran for 18 episodes over two seasons, receiving positive reviews for its fresh and fun animation aimed at a young audience. This venture into television further diversified El Rubius’s career, enhancing his brand and contributing to his overall earnings. Details about the financial specifics of the contract, the exact revenue generated from the show, or the royalties earned have not been publicly disclosed.
Twitch Channel and Streaming Revenue
In 2018, El Rubius expanded his online presence by creating his Twitch channel, “Rubius.” As of today, the channel has amassed 14.3 million followers, placing him among the top streamers on the platform. El Rubius’s consistent streaming activity on Twitch provides another significant revenue stream, through subscriptions, donations, and advertisements. The exact earnings from his Twitch channel are not publicly disclosed, but with such a substantial following, it is a considerable component of his net worth. As of July 2023, El Rubius had the third most-followed Twitch channel.
Awards, Recognition, and Other Ventures
El Rubius has received several awards and nominations throughout his career, recognizing his impact and influence in the digital entertainment industry. In 2016, he won a Play Award for YouTuber of the Year. In 2022, he earned an ESLAND Award nomination for Streamer of the Year, acknowledging his success and popularity on Twitch. These accolades not only highlight his achievements but also contribute to his brand recognition and marketability.
In 2016, a tweet by El Rubius became the world’s most retweeted tweet, demonstrating his significant social media influence. That same year, he was included in “Time” magazine’s list of “next generation leaders,” further highlighting his impact on popular culture. In 2014, he starred in the web series “La otra película” with fellow YouTuber Mangel. In 2022, the documentary “Rubius X” began streaming on Amazon Prime Video, “celebrating the tenth anniversary of Rubius, one of Spain’s top content creators, publishing his first video.” These diverse ventures further contribute to his financial success.
Controversies and Personal Decisions
In January 2021, El Rubius announced his intention to move to Andorra, citing reasons such as being closer to his friends and seeking a less public life than in Madrid. This decision sparked controversy on social media, as many viewed it as a tax avoidance strategy due to Andorra’s lower tax burden. A Spanish Treasury official criticized the move as unethical, and Pablo Iglesias, the former vice president of the Government of Spain, also voiced his disapproval. Despite the criticism, El Rubius proceeded with the move, underscoring his personal priorities and decisions regarding his lifestyle and financial planning. These decisions, although controversial, have a direct influence on his financial strategies and personal choices.
