Elon Musk has set a new record as the first individual to amass a $500 billion fortune. On October 1, 2025, his net worth briefly climbed to $500.1 billion before closing at $499 billion.
Tesla’s Stock Drives Wealth
The bulk of Musk’s fortune comes from his 12% ownership in Tesla. The electric carmaker’s stock has jumped more than 20% this year, rebounding from early challenges tied to Musk’s political ties with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Expanding Beyond Cars
Musk’s rise isn’t powered by Tesla alone. SpaceX continues to dominate the commercial space sector, while xAI—his artificial intelligence startup—has seen sharp gains in valuation. Together, they add billions to his growing empire.
Billionaire Rivalries
Musk usually tops the world’s wealth rankings, though he was briefly surpassed last month by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison. Oracle’s stock soared 43% on rising cloud demand, but Musk quickly reclaimed the top spot.
Record Pay Package Proposal
In September, Tesla’s board unveiled a $1 trillion compensation deal for Musk. The plan will only be triggered if Tesla reaches an $8.5 trillion market value within the next decade—over eight times its current size.
Why It Matters
Musk’s milestone underscores Tesla’s dominance in electric vehicles and highlights his influence across multiple industries. His success sparks debate about billionaire wealth, executive pay, and the future of innovation.
What’s Next
Analysts expect Musk to keep expanding Tesla’s production, push new missions through SpaceX, and scale xAI’s AI research. If successful, his fortune could climb even higher.
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