Elon Musk Becomes the World’s First Half-Trillionaire
Elon Musk has made history by reaching a net worth of $500 billion, becoming the first person ever to hit the half-trillion mark. According to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires tracker, Musk’s fortune hit $500.1 billion on October 1, driven by Tesla’s rebound, soaring private valuations at SpaceX, and the growing prominence of his AI venture, xAI.
Tesla’s stock jumped more than 3% that day, boosting Musk’s wealth and cementing his position at the top of the global wealth rankings, leaving rivals like Larry Ellison, Jeff Bezos, and Bernard Arnault far behind.
But how did Musk reach this unprecedented milestone, and what does it mean for the future? Let’s break it down.
Tesla: The Core of Musk’s Wealth
Tesla remains the primary engine behind Musk’s fortune. He owns roughly 13% of the company, and recent stock gains have been crucial to crossing the $500 billion threshold.
- On October 1, Tesla shares surged 3.3%, adding over $6 billion to Musk’s wealth in a single day.
- Musk personally purchased $1 billion in Tesla stock just before the rally, signaling confidence in the company’s future.
- After struggling earlier in 2025 due to market doubts and Musk’s political involvement, Tesla’s rebound has restored investor trust.
- With expansions into AI-driven robotics and autonomous driving, Tesla continues to underpin Musk’s extraordinary wealth.
SpaceX, xAI, and Other Ventures
Musk’s fortune isn’t solely Tesla-based; his private ventures also contribute significantly:
- SpaceX: Musk holds 40–42% of SpaceX, now valued between $300–$400 billion. Advances in Starship, Starlink, and NASA contracts have driven its valuations higher.
- xAI: His AI company recently raised billions and merged with X (formerly Twitter), with a combined estimated valuation near $200 billion.
- Other Ventures: Neuralink, The Boring Company, and his stake in X add smaller yet meaningful contributions.
Together, these holdings have propelled Musk into uncharted wealth territory.
Wealth Rivalry: Musk vs. Larry Ellison
Billionaire rankings have been volatile this year. Just days before Musk’s record, Larry Ellison briefly overtook him after Oracle’s stock surged, boosting Ellison’s net worth by over $100 billion in a single day.
Musk quickly regained the lead, leaving Ellison’s estimated $350 billion fortune far behind. This back-and-forth underscores the fragility of wealth rankings tied closely to public market valuations.
Still, Musk’s $500 billion milestone is historic, making him the first individual to cross the half-trillion threshold.
A Year of Dramatic Swings
The path to $500 billion wasn’t smooth. Early in 2025, Musk’s net worth fell below $300 billion as Tesla shares slumped and investors questioned his political focus.
By late summer, Tesla rebounded, SpaceX valuations surged, and xAI gained investor excitement. Within months, Musk’s fortune jumped over $200 billion—one of the fastest wealth recoveries ever recorded.
What the $500 Billion Milestone Means
Reaching $500 billion cements Musk as the wealthiest individual in history. It highlights how Tesla, SpaceX, and AI are reshaping industries and redefining modern wealth. This milestone also fuels speculation about whether Musk could eventually become the world’s first trillionaire, should his companies continue to grow exponentially.
Risks and Limitations
- Most of Musk’s wealth is tied to volatile stock and private valuations—not liquid cash.
- Any downturn in Tesla stock or corrections in SpaceX/xAI valuations could erase tens of billions overnight.
- Increasing scrutiny on billionaire wealth, taxes, and regulation could impact his financial trajectory.
Looking Ahead: Musk’s Next Moves
- Tesla: Scaling EV production, advancing robotics, and monetizing AI remain critical challenges.
- SpaceX: Success with Starship and Starlink could raise valuations further, while delays could cut them.
- xAI: Competing with OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic will determine if it becomes a long-term wealth engine.
- Public Scrutiny: With half a trillion in net worth, Musk faces growing political, social, and financial pressures.
Elon Musk is now the first individual to reach $500 billion, yet his wealth could swing dramatically in either direction. Whether his empire eventually approaches the trillion-dollar mark will depend on Tesla, SpaceX, and his AI ventures. For now, Musk stands alone as the richest person in modern history.
