How did Elon Musk become the first half-trillionaire? What is Elon Musk’s net worth in 2025?

Elon Musk has set a new financial record, becoming the first individual in history to cross the $500 billion net worth threshold, according to Forbes.

The Tesla and SpaceX chief’s fortune briefly climbed to $500.1 billion on Wednesday before settling slightly lower at $499.1 billion later in the day, based on real-time wealth tracking by the publication.

This milestone places Musk well ahead of his closest rival, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, whose wealth currently stands at about $350.7 billion. Ellison briefly held the top spot last month after Oracle’s stock surged more than 40% on the back of multi-billion-dollar artificial intelligence contracts with OpenAI, Meta, and Nvidia. At its peak, Ellison’s net worth reached $393 billion, surpassing Musk’s at the time.

For Musk, this achievement further cements a remarkable rise built on a diverse portfolio of ventures. His fortune is primarily tied to his stake in Tesla, where shares have climbed more than 20% this year, boosted by renewed investor confidence as Musk devotes more attention to his companies. Tesla stock rose over 3% in New York trading on Wednesday alone.

Beyond Tesla, the soaring valuations of SpaceX and his artificial intelligence startup xAI have also contributed to the record-breaking figure. Musk additionally owns the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and has recently drawn attention for his outspoken views on U.S. politics and cultural debates.

Musk’s career began with the sale of Zip2, an online publishing company, to Compaq in 1999 for more than $300 million. He later co-founded X.com, an online banking firm that merged into what became PayPal. In 2002, he launched SpaceX, followed by his appointment as Tesla’s CEO in 2008—just as the electric vehicle industry began its rise.

Despite his latest financial triumph, challenges remain. Tesla continues to face growing competition from electric vehicle makers like China’s BYD and is simultaneously transforming into an AI and robotics powerhouse. The company’s board recently signaled that Musk could be in line for a future pay package worth over $1 trillion if ambitious goals—including massive expansions in car sales, AI robots, and overall market value—are achieved.

For now, Musk’s half-trillion-dollar valuation secures his position at the top of the billionaire rankings, setting a new benchmark in the global race for wealth.

FAQ Section

Q1: How much is Elon Musk worth now in 2025?
Elon Musk’s net worth peaked at $500.1 billion in October 2025, briefly making him the first half-trillionaire in history.

Q2: Who is the second-richest person after Elon Musk?
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison holds second place with a net worth of about $350.7 billion, according to Forbes.

Q3: What made Elon Musk’s wealth cross $500 billion?
Tesla’s stock surge, the rising valuation of SpaceX, and the growth of Musk’s AI company xAI were major drivers of his fortune.

Q4: Has anyone ever come close to Musk’s $500 billion fortune?
Yes. Larry Ellison reached $393 billion earlier in 2025, briefly surpassing Musk, but has since fallen behind.

Q5: What could increase Musk’s wealth further?
Tesla’s transformation into an AI and robotics company and potential trillion-dollar pay packages tied to ambitious growth goals could push Musk’s fortune even higher.