Elon Musk Becomes First Person Worth $500 Billion, Halfway to Trillionaire Status
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Elon Musk has reached another historic milestone, becoming the first individual in history to attain a net worth of $500 billion, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires Tracker.
As of 3:30 pm Eastern on Wednesday, the Tesla and SpaceX chief widened his lead as the world’s richest person, surpassing Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison by $150 billion. Musk is now halfway toward becoming the world’s first trillionaire.
Tesla Surge Boosts Fortune
The dramatic rise in Musk’s wealth was driven by a nearly 4% climb in Tesla shares, which added an estimated $9.3 billion to his fortune in a single day. Investors have rallied behind Tesla in recent months, encouraged by Musk’s decision to scale back his role as head of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in order to dedicate more focus to the electric vehicle company.
Tesla’s market cap has nearly doubled since April and is now within 10% of its all-time high. Musk’s 12% stake in Tesla is currently valued at $191 billion, excluding the controversial 2018 performance-based compensation package. That award, which could have added $133 billion, was voided by a Delaware judge in 2024, though Musk is appealing the ruling.
Tesla’s board has since proposed a record-breaking new pay package worth up to $1 trillion, tied to ambitious growth targets dubbed “Mars-shot milestones.”
SpaceX and xAI Holdings Add to Wealth
Musk’s fortune is not solely tied to Tesla. His space exploration company SpaceX is now valued at $400 billion, following an August private tender offer. With Musk holding a 42% stake, his share is worth about $168 billion.
Meanwhile, his artificial intelligence venture xAI Holdings, which merged with social media platform X (formerly Twitter) earlier this year, has been valued at $113 billion. Musk’s 53% ownership translates into roughly $60 billion of his total net worth.
Timeline of Milestones
Musk’s wealth growth over the last five years has been unprecedented.
- March 2020: Worth $24.6 billion
- August 2020: Surpassed $100 billion, the fifth person in history to do so
- January 2021: Became the world’s richest with $190 billion
- September 2021: Crossed $200 billion, after Jeff Bezos and Bernard Arnault
- November 2021: Hit $300 billion
- December 2024: Became the first person worth $400 billion
- October 2025: Achieved $500 billion, setting a new global record
At this trajectory, analysts say Musk could become the first trillionaire by 2033, when his proposed new Tesla pay package begins vesting.
Musk’s Take
Reacting to growing debates about his compensation, Musk insisted his motivation extends beyond money.
“It’s not about ‘compensation’, but about me having enough influence over Tesla to ensure safety if we build millions of robots,” Musk wrote on X in September.
He argued that activist shareholder groups could otherwise weaken his control over Tesla, raising concerns about the company’s long-term future.
Global Implications
Analysts told Akahi News that Musk’s fortune underscores the explosive growth potential of technology and space industries, while also highlighting wealth inequality worldwide. The milestone has further fuelled debates on billionaire taxation and corporate governance in the United States.
Whether or not he becomes the first trillionaire, Musk’s influence on global technology, transportation, and artificial intelligence appears set to grow even stronger.
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