Elon Musk Makes History as World’s First $500 Billion Individual
Elon Musk Reaches $500 Billion Milestone: A Step Toward Trillionaire Status
Elon Musk’s Net Worth Surpasses $500 Billion
Elon Musk has achieved a formidable financial milestone, becoming the first individual to reach a net worth of $500 billion. This significant achievement was recorded at 3:30 pm Eastern, as indicated by Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires tracker. Musk, who surpassed the $400 billion mark in December, is now $150 billion ahead of his closest competitor, Larry Ellison. This trajectory positions him halfway to becoming the world’s first trillionaire.
Tesla’s Role in Musk’s Financial Ascent
The financial surge is largely attributed to the performance of Tesla, as its shares increased by nearly 4% on Wednesday, contributing approximately $9.3 billion to Musk’s fortune. The company’s stock has nearly doubled since Musk announced a shift in focus on an April earnings call, stepping back from his role in President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency to dedicate more time to Tesla. Currently, Musk’s 12% stake in the automaker is valued at $191 billion, maintaining high market confidence.
SpaceX and xAI Holdings: Key Contributors
Beyond Tesla, Musk has other ventures contributing to his wealth. SpaceX, his rocket company established in 2002, reached a valuation of $400 billion, increasing from $350 billion last December. Musk holds a 42% stake in SpaceX, worth approximately $168 billion.
Additionally, xAI Holdings, a merger between Musk’s artificial intelligence unit and the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stands at an estimated value of $113 billion. Musk’s 53% share in this entity is evaluated at $60 billion, further bolstering his financial standing.
Future Prospects: Approaching Trillionaire Status
Musk’s journey has been marked by several financial landmarks over the years. In March 2020, his net worth was $24.6 billion, which catapulted him into the realms of billionaires reaching $100 billion by August 2020. Since then, Musk has consistently set new records, becoming the richest person globally in January 2021 with a net worth nearing $190 billion. Notably, by November 2021, he reached $300 billion, followed by $400 billion in December 2024.
Looking ahead, Musk could become the world’s first trillionaire before March 2033, coinciding with the first vesting date of his unprecedented $1 trillion Tesla pay package. Despite these financial figures, Musk has indicated that his endeavors are driven not purely by wealth but by his influence and control over his companies, particularly Tesla, to ensure its strategic future and operational safety.
