Elon Musk, the enigmatic CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has reached an extraordinary milestone, amassing a record-breaking net worth of $348 billion. This achievement, reported by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, cements Musk’s position as the wealthiest individual in history. His meteoric rise is closely tied to the recent surge in Tesla’s stock price, fueled by Wall Street’s optimism over a pro-business future under U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Tesla’s Stock Soars Following Trump’s Victory
Tesla’s shares have skyrocketed 40% since Election Day, driven by investor confidence in Trump’s expected deregulatory policies. On November 22, Tesla’s stock closed at $352.56, its highest price in over three years, marking a 3.8% single-day increase. This added $7 billion to Musk’s fortune, pushing his wealth past the previous record of $320.3 billion, which he set during Tesla’s pandemic-era boom in November 2021.
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Musk’s endorsement of Trump and a $100 million campaign donation have further bolstered investor confidence. His close ties with the president-elect have positioned him as a central figure in the new administration. Musk has been appointed chair of the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), a newly created entity aimed at driving innovation in governance. He will work alongside biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy in this capacity.
Expanding Fortune Through Diverse Ventures
While Tesla remains the cornerstone of Musk’s wealth, other ventures significantly contribute to his historic fortune. His 42% stake in SpaceX, recently valued at $210 billion, accounts for $88 billion of his net worth. Speculation around an upcoming SpaceX funding round, which could value the company at $250 billion, suggests Musk’s fortune could grow by another $18 billion.
Musk also holds a 60% stake in his artificial intelligence company, xAI, valued at $50 billion. This adds $13 billion to his wealth. Meanwhile, his other ventures, such as Neuralink, The Boring Company, and X (formerly Twitter), continue to diversify his portfolio.
Historic Lead Over Other Billionaires
With a net worth of $348 billion, Musk is $80 billion ahead of Oracle chairman Larry Ellison, the second-richest individual, who has a fortune of $235 billion. The gap between Musk and his peers highlights the immense scale of his financial achievements, largely driven by his 13% stake in Tesla, valued at $145 billion, and a pending 9% equity award in the company.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Despite his staggering wealth, Tesla’s stock remains 14% below its all-time high from late 2021. Meanwhile, the broader S&P 500 index has risen 27% since that peak, indicating potential room for Tesla to grow under favorable market conditions.
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As the global economy evolves, Musk’s focus on innovation—spanning electric vehicles, space exploration, and artificial intelligence—continues to shape his trajectory. With his wealth expanding across industries, Musk is not just the richest person in history but also a symbol of modern entrepreneurial ambition.