Have you ever wondered about the journey of a gamer who turned her passion into a massive empire? Valkyrae, whose real name is Rachell Hofstetter, is one of the most influential streamers and content creators in the world. In this Valkyrae biography and net worth guide, we’ll dive into her rise from a GameStop employee to a co-owner of 100 Thieves, her viral moments with games like Among Us, and how she’s built a fortune through streaming, endorsements, and business ventures. She’s not just a gamer; she’s a trailblazer who’s inspired millions, especially women in the gaming space.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rachell Marie Hofstetter |
| Nickname / Stage Name | Valkyrae |
| Date of Birth | January 8, 1992 |
| Age | 33 (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Moses Lake, Washington, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Online streamer, YouTuber, podcaster, co-owner of 100 Thieves, founder and CEO of Hihi Studios |
| Known For | Viral gaming streams on YouTube and Twitch, co-owning 100 Thieves, Among Us collaborations, and anime-inspired media projects |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 3 inches (based on public appearances and fan estimates) |
| Family / Spouse | Of Filipino and German descent; three brothers and one younger sister; father passed away in 2017 from cancer; no spouse, previously dated streamer Michael “Sonii” Sherman (2016-2021); rumored to be in a relationship with Hasan Piker since 2022 |
| Education | Associate degree in arts and science from community college |
| Social Media Followers | YouTube: Over 3 million subscribers; X (Twitter): About 2.9 million; Instagram: Around 3.5 million (estimates from 2025); Twitch: 1.6 million followers |
| Estimated Net Worth | $4-5 million (as of 2025) |
Early Life and Background
Valkyrae’s story starts in a small town in Washington state, where she grew up in a close-knit family. Born to parents of Filipino and German heritage, she was the middle child among four siblings: three brothers and a younger sister. Her mom played a big role in sparking her love for video games, introducing her to classics on the NES console when she was just a kid. This early exposure turned into a lifelong passion, helping her escape some tough times during childhood.
Life wasn’t always easy. Valkyrae has shared in interviews how her family faced financial struggles, and she dealt with the loss of her father to cancer in 2017. To make ends meet, she worked various jobs, including at GameStop, while attending community college. She earned an associate degree in arts and science, but her heart was always in gaming. Sharing clips on Instagram was her first step into the online world, building a small following before she dove into full-time streaming. These humble beginnings shaped her relatable personality, making her a favorite among fans who see her as someone who hustled her way to the top.
Career Journey and Achievements
Valkyrae’s big break came when she started streaming on Twitch in 2015, balancing it with her GameStop gig. At first, it was just a hobby, playing games like Bloodborne and The Walking Dead. But things exploded in 2018 with Fortnite, where her fun personality and skills drew in viewers. That year, she joined 100 Thieves as their first female content creator, a milestone that put her on the map in the male-dominated esports scene.
Rise on YouTube and Among Us Fame
In 2020, Valkyrae made a bold move: signing an exclusive deal with YouTube Gaming. It paid off big time. Her streams of Among Us went viral, especially when she teamed up with stars like PewDiePie, Pokimane, and even non-gamers like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jimmy Fallon. She became the fastest-growing female streamer that year, surpassing others in viewership. By late 2020, her concurrent viewers hit over 100,000, and she won Content Creator of the Year at The Game Awards.
Business Moves and Ownership
Fast forward to 2021, and Valkyrae leveled up by becoming a co-owner of 100 Thieves, a company valued at $190 million by Forbes at the time. She’s also founded Hihi Studios in 2024, focusing on anime-inspired content like graphic novels and TV shows. Their first project, a webtoon called “Bad Influence,” launched in 2025. Beyond gaming, she’s voiced characters in shows like Sonic Prime and appeared in music videos for artists like Machine Gun Kelly and Bella Poarch.
Return to Twitch and Recent Wins
In 2025, Valkyrae returned to Twitch for her 10th streaming anniversary, quickly becoming the most-watched female streamer there. She’s co-hosted events like the Streamer Awards and podcasts such as “Wine About It.” Awards keep coming: from Adweek’s Gaming Creator of the Year in 2021 to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in 2022, and the Sapphire Award in 2024. She’s also dabbled in music, releasing tracks like “Echoes” in 2024.
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Personal Life and Relationships
Valkyrae keeps her personal world somewhat private, but she’s open about what matters. She lives in Los Angeles, where she’s built a life around friends and her career. From 2023 to 2024, she shared a house with fellow streamers Leslie “Fuslie” Fu, Miyoung “Kkatamina” Kim, and Christina “TinaKitten” Kenyon, known as “The Roomies.” It was a fun setup, full of collabs and laughs.
On the romance side, she dated streamer Michael “Sonii” Sherman from 2016 to 2021. Since then, rumors have swirled about a relationship with political commentator and streamer Hasan Piker starting around 2022. Leaks and hints from friends in 2025 suggest they’re together, but neither has confirmed it publicly. Valkyrae has talked about the challenges of dating in the spotlight, emphasizing growth and healthy boundaries.
Outside of work, she’s into fitness (she’s an ambassador for Gymshark since 2022), anime, and charity. She’s raised thousands for causes like Feeding America and The Trevor Project through streams. In 2025, she faced a scary stalker incident during a live event, highlighting the risks of fame, but she’s bounced back stronger.
Net Worth and Financial Overview
Estimates put Valkyrae’s net worth at around $4-5 million in 2025, up from about $2 million in 2023. Remember, these are rough figures based on public data from sites like Celebrity Net Worth and Forbes; actual numbers can vary. Her wealth comes from multiple streams, no pun intended.
Streaming and Content Earnings
Her main income is from YouTube and Twitch. With over 3 million YouTube subscribers, she earns from ads, sponsorships, and Super Chats. Her 2020 YouTube deal was reportedly lucrative, and her 2025 Twitch return brought in big viewership. Monthly earnings can hit $200,000 from platforms alone, per some reports.
Brand Deals and Endorsements
Valkyrae has partnered with big names like Gucci, Gymshark, and State Farm. She’s appeared in ads and even co-hosted TV spots. These deals add up, especially as one of the top female gamers.
Business Ventures
As a co-owner of 100 Thieves, she benefits from the company’s growth in esports and apparel. Hihi Studios is her latest venture, aiming at media production. She tried skincare with RFLCT in 2021, but it shut down quickly after backlash over blue light claims. Lessons learned, she’s focused on authentic projects now.
Investments and Other Income
Charity streams, music releases, and acting gigs (like voice work in Sonic Prime) chip in. She’s smart about money, investing in her brand and community.
Notable Facts and Trivia
Did you know Valkyrae was in MrBeast’s “50 YouTubers Fight for $1,000,000” video in 2024? Or that she endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 election? She’s multilingual in a way, learning Tagalog from her mom. Fun fact: Her skincare line RFLCT lasted just two weeks due to controversy, but she handled it transparently, earning respect. She’s also released music, like a cover of “Last Cup of Coffee” in 2021. And in 2025, she co-hosted “Wine About It,” sharing life stories over drinks.
Impact and Legacy
Valkyrae matters because she’s broken barriers for women in gaming. As the first female at 100 Thieves, she’s paved the way for more diversity. Her Among Us streams in 2020 brought gaming to mainstream audiences, collaborating with politicians and celebs. She’s influenced culture by promoting mental health, charity, and authentic content. With Hihi Studios, she’s expanding into anime and storytelling, inspiring young creators. Her legacy? Showing that with grit and passion, anyone can turn a hobby into a powerhouse career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Estimates suggest around $4-5 million, mainly from streaming, endorsements, and business ownership. These are based on public sources and could change.
She started streaming on Twitch in 2015, gained traction with Fortnite in 2018, and exploded on YouTube with Among Us in 2020.
Winning Content Creator of the Year at The Game Awards 2020, making Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in 2022, co-owning 100 Thieves, and founding Hihi Studios.
She’s been linked to Hasan Piker since 2022, based on rumors and leaks, but keeps it private. She previously dated Sonii until 2021.
Launched in 2021, it shut down after two weeks due to controversy over blue light protection claims. Valkyrae addressed it openly and moved on.
She’s back on Twitch, running Hihi Studios, co-hosting podcasts, and creating content in Los Angeles. She’s focused on growth and new projects.
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