Tesla's Elon Musk becomes first individual valued at over $500 billion, says Forbes

Tesla's Elon Musk becomes first individual valued at over $500 billion, says Forbes

Elon Musk has achieved another significant milestone in his extraordinary career, becoming the first individual ever valued at over $500 billion. As of September 12, 2025, Musk's net worth stands at $500 billion, according to Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires tracker. This substantial increase is primarily attributed to the surge in Tesla's stock price, which has nearly doubled since Musk announced his intention to step back from his role as head of President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to focus on Tesla .

Musk's $500 billion net worth is a testament to his successful leadership at Tesla and his other ventures, including SpaceX and xAI Holdings. Tesla, in particular, has been a significant driver of Musk's wealth. The electric vehicle (EV) maker's stock price has nearly doubled since Musk's April earnings call announcement, adding an estimated $9.3 billion to his fortune . Musk owns a 12% stake in Tesla, which is now worth $191 billion. Additionally, Musk's 2018 CEO compensation package, which would have been worth $133 billion today if not voided by a Delaware judge in January 2024, has been discounted by 50% pending the outcome of his ongoing appeal .

SpaceX, Musk's rocket maker, also contributes significantly to his wealth. Valued at $400 billion based on a private tender offer in August, SpaceX has seen a notable increase in its valuation since December 2024, when it was valued at $350 billion. Musk owns an estimated 42% stake in SpaceX, worth $168 billion . Furthermore, xAI Holdings, formed in March 2025 by merging Musk's AI company xAI with the social media company X (formerly Twitter), is valued at $113 billion, with Musk owning an estimated 53% stake worth $60 billion .

The $500 billion milestone is just the latest in a series of significant achievements for Musk. In March 2020, Musk was worth $24.6 billion, but Tesla's stock surge made him the fifth person ever worth $100 billion in August 2020. He became the world's richest person in January 2021, with a nearly $190 billion net worth, and achieved $300 billion and $400 billion milestones in November 2021 and December 2024, respectively .

Musk's potential to become the world's first trillionaire is a subject of ongoing discussion. If he maintains his current trajectory, Musk could reach the $1 trillion mark before March 2033, when the first of two vesting dates for his $1 trillion Tesla pay package hits. However, Musk himself has expressed that the compensation package is not about the money but about ensuring safety and influence over Tesla's future .

Despite the challenges Tesla faces, such as a drop in profits and increased competition, Musk's leadership continues to be praised by Tesla executives. A Tesla executive recently stated, "there aren't any people out there like Elon," highlighting Musk's unique abilities as a leader . The company has proposed a new, record-breaking pay package that could give Musk additional stock worth up to $1 trillion if Tesla achieves "Mars-shot" performance milestones .

Musk's journey to becoming the first person valued at over $500 billion is a remarkable testament to his entrepreneurial prowess and the impact of his leadership on the global tech and automotive industries. As he continues to push the boundaries of innovation, investors and financial professionals will closely monitor his progress and the future of his companies.