Elon Musk’s $500 billion net worth makes history as a tech wealth surge. Elon Musk’s $500 billion net worth milestone cements his status as the world’s richest person on October 1, 2025, marking the first time anyone has crossed this threshold amid a Tesla stock rally.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s fortune soared past $500 billion, fuelled by a 12% jump in Tesla shares following strong quarterly deliveries and optimism around autonomous driving tech.
Forbes, which tracks real-time billionaire rankings, confirmed Musk’s lead, putting him $150 billion ahead of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison in second place.
This achievement follows Musk’s earlier breakthrough in December 2024, when he became the first to hit $400 billion, a rapid ascent driven by SpaceX valuations and xAI investments.
Analysts attribute the latest surge to Tesla’s rebound from a sluggish 2024, where EV demand dipped amid economic headwinds. “Musk’s vision for AI and robotics is paying off big,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives, noting Tesla’s robotaxi event in August sparked investor frenzy.
Musk, 54, reacted on X with his signature flair: “Halfway to a trillion—let’s make it fun!” The post, viewed over 50 million times, drew a mix of congratulations and memes from fans.
Yet, the milestone isn’t without controversy. Critics point to Musk’s political sway, including his role advising President Trump on efficiency, as inflating his profile and stock value.
In Kenya, where Musk’s Starlink has rolled out rural internet, the news sparked local buzz. Tech enthusiasts in Nairobi hailed it as inspiration for African innovators, though some worry about wealth gaps.
“Musk shows what’s possible, but we need policies to spread the wealth,” tweeted Kenyan startup founder Julie Gichuru. Globally, Musk’s empire spans electric vehicles, space travel, and neural interfaces.
SpaceX’s valuation hit $250 billion in September, while Neuralink’s human trials advanced brain-computer links. xAI, his latest venture, raised $6 billion, pushing its worth to $24 billion. These pillars, intertwined with Tesla’s market cap exceeding $1 trillion again, propelled the net worth leap.
The $500 billion mark, halfway to a trillion, as Sky News quipped, shows Musk’s dominance in a volatile market.
Compared to peers, it’s a chasm: Jeff Bezos trails at $220 billion, and Mark Zuckerberg at $190 billion. Forbes editors called it “a testament to bold bets” but warned of risks like regulatory scrutiny over Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software.
Musk’s personal life adds colour to the story. Divorced thrice and father to 12, he juggles boardrooms and memes. His acquisition of X in 2022, now valued at $44 billion, continues to spark debates about free speech.
As electric vehicles gain traction worldwide, Tesla’s Shanghai gigafactory output hits record highs, boosting shares further. Investors eye upcoming Cybertruck ramps and Optimus robot demos for more gains.
In Washington, Musk’s influence grows. His Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) co-chair role with Vivek Ramaswamy aims to slash federal spending, drawing bipartisan ire and praise.
For everyday folks, Musk embodies the American Dream on steroids, or South African roots, given his Pretoria birth. Philanthropy watchers note his $5.7 billion Tesla stock donation in 2021, though calls for more climate action persist.
This net worth explosion caps a year of highs for Musk, from Mars mission delays to AI ethics clashes. As he eyes Mars colonisation, one thing’s clear: Elon Musk’s $500 billion net worth isn’t just numbers; it’s a launchpad for the future.