Biography
Bald and Bankrupt is an English travel vlog YouTube channel operated by Benjamin Rich, known as Mr. Bald. Born on July 1, 1974, Rich's channel, as of August 2023, boasts 3.9 million subscribers and 599 million views. The channel gained prominence for Rich's exploration of post-Soviet states, particularly Eastern Europe, following his initial vlogging in India after facing bankruptcy in the UK.
Rich's experiences, documented in videos, extend beyond travel, including the release of the book "The Burning Edge: Travelling Through Irradiated Belarus" under the pen name Arthur Chichester. Notably, his ventures have brought attention, with both acclaim and challenges, such as a reported encounter in Bolivia deemed "more scary than entering Chernobyl."
The content creator faced controversy, including an apology to Chechen authorities for a term deemed disparaging, and a severe battle with COVID-19 during the pandemic. In 2022, Rich faced legal issues in Russia, allegedly arrested for unsanctioned entry to the Baikonur Cosmodrome, leading to a ban from returning to the country, later lifted.
Bald and Bankrupt's content has garnered media coverage, with Rich receiving praise for shedding light on various issues, from refugee camps in India to exposing scams against tourists in Delhi Airport. The channel has been recognized for offering an authentic perspective on diverse locations, often exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations and engaging with local communities.
Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. Feel free to contribute!
All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.