Elon Musk, the South African-born entrepreneur and innovator, has become synonymous with groundbreaking technology and audacious ambition. As of May 2025, Musk holds the title of the world’s richest person, with a net worth estimated at $424.7 billion by Forbes and $381 billion by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This staggering fortune, built through his stakes in Tesla, SpaceX, xAI, and other ventures, reflects his business acumen and the volatile nature of his wealth, which is closely tied to market dynamics and his controversial public persona.
Musk’s wealth is primarily derived from his ownership in Tesla, where he holds a 13% stake, and SpaceX, where he owns approximately 42%. Tesla, the world’s most valuable carmaker, has been a significant driver of his fortune, with its stock soaring in 2020 and again after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, pushing Musk’s net worth past the historic $400 billion mark in December 2024. His SpaceX stake, valued at $147 billion as of March 2025, recently surpassed Tesla as his most significant asset, following a December 2024 tender offer that valued the private rocket company at $350 billion. This shift highlights SpaceX’s growing prominence, fueled by contracts with NASA and its Starlink internet service, which boasts over 4 million subscribers.
However, Musk’s wealth is not without volatility. His net worth has fluctuated since its peak of $486.4 billion in December 2024, dropping to $351 billion by March 2025, according to Bloomberg, mainly due to a 50% decline in Tesla’s stock price since mid-December. This decline was attributed to disappointing Tesla sales, with first-quarter 2025 deliveries falling 13% compared to the previous year, and broader market concerns tied to President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Musk’s close association with Trump, including his co-lead of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has also sparked protests and boycotts, further impacting Tesla’s brand and stock value.
Beyond Tesla and SpaceX, Musk’s portfolio includes a 79% stake in X Corp, the parent company of the social media platform X, valued at $8.06 billion after a 69% drop since its $44 billion acquisition in 2022. His 54% ownership in xAI, valued at $50 billion in November 2024, contributes $22.6 billion, while smaller stakes in Neuralink ($2.07 billion) and The Boring Company ($3.33 billion) round out his assets. Despite these diverse investments, Musk has described himself as “cash poor,” with much of his wealth tied to illiquid shares and 58% of his Tesla stock pledged as collateral for $3.5 billion in personal loans.
Musk’s financial journey began with early successes like Zip2, which sold for $307 million in 1999, and PayPal, which was acquired by eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002, netting him $175.8 million. These proceeds seeded his ventures into Tesla and SpaceX, where his willingness to take risks, such as investing nearly his entire fortune into SpaceX during its early struggles, paid off spectacularly. However, his wealth has faced scrutiny, particularly over his $56 billion Tesla compensation package, voided by a Delaware judge in 2024, though re-ratified by shareholders in June 2024 amid ongoing litigation.
Musk’s political involvement, including his $277 million backing of Trump’s 2024 campaign and his DOGE role, has amplified his influence and controversy. Critics argue his proximity to power could benefit his companies, while others point to Tesla’s struggles as evidence of overreach. Despite losing $134.7 billion in 2025, Musk’s diversified portfolio and SpaceX’s resilience ensure he remains atop the billionaire rankings, far ahead of Jeff Bezos ($195 billion) and Mark Zuckerberg ($236 billion).
Musk’s net worth is a testament to his ability to disrupt industries, from electric vehicles to space exploration. Still, it also reflects the risks of tying wealth to volatile markets and polarizing public actions. As he navigates his dual roles as a business titan and political influencer, Musk’s fortune will likely continue its rollercoaster trajectory, shaped by innovation, market forces, and his unyielding drive to redefine the future.
