Elon Musk, the world’s richest individual, has reached a historic milestone by crossing $500 billion in net worth, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires index. This unprecedented feat makes Musk the first person in history to achieve half a trillion dollars in personal wealth, solidifying his position at the pinnacle of global wealth rankings.
The jump in Musk’s fortune was largely driven by a 4 per cent increase in Tesla shares on Wednesday, which added more than $9 billion to his wealth in a single trading day. Tesla’s stock has nearly doubled since April, following Musk’s announcement that he would step back from his role in President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency to focus more on his ventures, particularly Tesla. As a result, Tesla’s market capitalization is now within 10 per cent of its all-time high, with Musk’s 12 per cent stake valued at approximately $191 billion. This figure excludes billions tied to his 2018 compensation plan, which could be worth up to $133 billion if Musk succeeds in his ongoing legal appeal. Additionally, Tesla’s board has proposed a new pay package for Musk that could eventually provide him with stock worth as much as $1 trillion, depending on the company’s performance.
Musk’s wealth is not limited to Tesla alone. His aerospace company, SpaceX, was valued at $400 billion in a private tender conducted in August, with Musk holding a 42 per cent stake estimated at $168 billion. Furthermore, Musk owns 53 per cent of xAI Holding, created through the merger of his AI startup xAI and the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which is valued at approximately $60 billion. These ventures collectively contribute to Musk’s monumental net worth and his unparalleled influence in technology, space, and social media industries.
His wealth growth has attracted significant media attention, with analysts noting that Musk’s strategic investments, innovative leadership, and risk-taking in high-growth sectors like electric vehicles, space exploration, and artificial intelligence have propelled him to this historic financial milestone. Despite market fluctuations and legal challenges, Musk continues to expand his portfolio, and industry experts predict his net worth could continue climbing in the coming years, potentially surpassing previous wealth records set by any individual in history.
As Musk’s fortune reaches new heights, his influence over global markets and emerging technologies becomes even more pronounced, shaping industries and inspiring both admiration and scrutiny from investors, regulators, and the general public worldwide. This landmark achievement underscores Musk’s status not just as a billionaire, but as a transformative figure in multiple high-impact sectors, whose ventures and vision continue to redefine the possibilities of wealth, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the 21st century.