(Image source from: AP)
Elon Musk made history on Monday by becoming the first individual ever to achieve a net worth of $600 billion, as reported by Forbes. According to the report, which cited two sources knowledgeable about the situation, Musk's wealth increased by $168 billion in a single day following the announcement that his aerospace company SpaceX might go public with a valuation of $800 billion. This valuation was announced earlier in the month, as noted by the two investors referenced by the news organization. Musk had previously become the first person to exceed a net worth of $500 billion in October and reportedly owns around 42% of SpaceX, according to a Reuters article last week. This substantial share in the rocket firm significantly boosted his wealth to an estimated $677 billion by noon ET on Monday, as per Forbes.
Should the SpaceX IPO go through at the $800 billion valuation, it would make Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire. Even if that amount isn't reached, Forbes estimates that Musk's $336 billion share in SpaceX is still his most valuable resource. Beyond SpaceX, Musk's net worth also rose thanks to his approximately 12% interest in his electric vehicle company Tesla, whose stock has increased by 13% so far in 2025, despite slower sales. On Monday, Tesla's shares rose almost 4% after Musk announced testing of robotaxis that do not have safety monitors in the front seat. His Tesla stake is now valued at about $197 billion, not including stock options from his 2018 performance bonus. In November, Tesla investors approved a pay plan for Musk worth $1 trillion, the largest in corporate history, as they backed his vision of transforming the EV manufacturer into a major player in AI and robotics. Additionally, reports from Reuters indicate that his AI company, xAI, is in discussions to secure $15 billion in new funding, aiming for a valuation of $230 billion.
Over the past five years, Elon Musk's wealth has soared, and reaching the $600 billion milestone marks his latest success. In March 2020, Musk's fortune was just $24.6 billion. By August of the same year, the rapidly increasing value of Tesla shares propelled him to become the fifth person in history to attain a wealth of $100 billion. In January 2021, Musk emerged as the richest individual worldwide, with a net worth nearing $190 billion. He made history again in September of that year by becoming the third person to reach a wealth of $300 billion, joining Jeff Bezos and Bernard Arnault. His wealth journey continued as he reached a net worth of $400 billion in December 2024 and $500 billion in October.
