Khabane “Khaby” Lame (born 9 March 2000) is a Senegalese-Italian influencer known for his TikTok videos, where he silently mocks overly complicated “life hack” videos.
As of 2025, he is the most-followed user on TikTok. In 2022, he was featured in Fortune’s 40 Under 40 and Forbes’ 30 Under 30. In 2023, he served as a juror on Italia’s Got Talent.
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Khaby Lame Net Worth
Khaby Lame has a net worth of $40 million. He is best known for his popularity on TikTok, where he has over 160 million followers. For several years, he was the second-most followed person on TikTok, behind Charli D’Amelio.
In June 2022, Lame’s 142.5 million followers surpassed Charli’s 142.2 million, making him the #1 most-followed person on TikTok. He also has around 80 million followers on Instagram. Lame revealed earning up to $750,000 per video, making $10 million in 2022 and $17 million in 2023.
Early life
Khabane “Khaby” Lame was born in Senegal on 9 March 2000. His family moved to Italy when he was one year old, living in Chivasso, near Turin.
He has three siblings and studied in Italian schools until age 14, when his parents sent him to a Quranic school near Dakar. Lame later worked as a CNC machine operator at a factory near Turin before being laid off in March 2020.
Career
Khabane “Khaby” Lame began posting on TikTok after being laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic. He gained fame using TikTok’s “duet” and “stitch” features, simplifying complicated “life hacks” with his signature hand gesture.
In 2021, he surpassed Gianluca Vacchi and Addison Rae in followers and later co-starred in Juventus FC’s announcement of Manuel Locatelli. In 2022, he became TikTok’s most-followed creator, partnered with Hugo Boss, and judged at Cannes. Since 2023, he has judged Italia’s Got Talent and was added to Fortnite.
Personal Life
Khaby Lame is a practicing Muslim. In November 2023, he married Wendy Thembelihle Juel, but by May 2024, their marriage had ended. Living in Italy since age one, he is fluent in Italian.
Previously a Senegalese citizen, he lived in Milan with his manager until August 2022, when he became an Italian citizen in Chivasso. Carlo Sibilia announced his citizenship grant, though Lame stated he “always felt Italian” and did not need a “piece of paper” to define his identity.
Is Khaby Lame the most followed African on Instagram?
Khaby Lame holds the distinction of being the most-followed African on Instagram, with over 80 million followers. His reach on the platform is unparalleled, making him a prominent figure in the digital world.
Conclusion
Khaby Lame’s journey from a factory worker to the pinnacle of social media success is nothing short of inspirational. His ability to captivate millions with his silent comedy sketches has not only established him as a global sensation but also as a savvy entrepreneur, amassing a significant fortune in the process.
FAQs about Khaby Lame
- What is the secret behind Khaby Lame’s viral videos? – Khaby’s success lies in his minimalist, wordless humor that universally resonates.
- Where does Khaby Lame live? – Khaby resides in Italy, having moved there from Senegal as a baby.
- What challenges has Khaby faced due to his citizenship status? – Khaby’s Senegalese citizenship initially made international travel challenging, but he became an Italian citizen in 2022.
- What are Khaby Lame’s future plans? – While continuing his social media presence, Khaby is also exploring other ventures, including merchandise and media appearances.
- How did Khaby Lame adapt to the pandemic? – The pandemic’s onset, which led to his job loss, became a turning point as he focused on creating content for TikTok, leading to his meteoric rise.
