One man’s personal fortune has now outstripped the entire economic output of three nations combined.
The latest surge in Elon Musk net worth has pushed it beyond $750 billion, a figure larger than the total GDP of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal put together at around $555 billion.
In just four days, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO saw his wealth jump by $150 billion, marking him as the first individual to cross this unprecedented threshold.
Elon Musk Net Worth: Key Drivers Behind the Surge
The massive increase stems primarily from a Delaware Supreme Court ruling that reinstated Musk’s 2018 Tesla compensation package. Originally valued at $56 billion, the stock options have grown to around $139 billion due to Tesla’s rising share price.
This restoration came after a lower court had voided the package in 2024, but the higher court’s decision emphasized fairness in compensating Musk for his contributions over six years.
SpaceX also played a major role, with a recent insider share sale valuing the rocket company at $800 billion—double its previous mark. Musk’s approximately 42% stake translates to hundreds of billions in paper wealth.
Contributions from Tesla and Other Ventures
Tesla shares have climbed 13% so far in 2025, boosting the value of Musk’s 12% holding to nearly $197 billion. Recent announcements about robotaxi testing without safety monitors added further momentum.
The electric vehicle giant’s shareholders had earlier approved a potential $1 trillion pay package over the next decade, tied to ambitious growth targets.
xAI, Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, is in advanced talks for funding that could value it at $230 billion, adding another layer to his portfolio.
Early Days: From Video Games to Billion-Dollar Deals
Musk’s journey began young—he coded his first video game, Blastar, at age 12 and sold it for $500. In 1995, he co-founded Zip2, which Compaq acquired for $307 million, netting him $22 million.
PayPal followed in 1999, sold to eBay in 2002 for $1.5 billion, giving Musk $180 million. These funds seeded SpaceX in 2002 and his investment in Tesla, which he joined as chairman in 2004 before becoming CEO.
SpaceX aimed to cut launch costs and enable Mars colonization, achieving milestones like the first private spacecraft to dock with the International Space Station.
Neuralink, founded in 2016, focuses on brain-machine interfaces for medical and enhancement purposes.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on reports from Forbes, Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Reuters, and official court rulings as of December 21, 2025. Net worth estimates fluctuate with market conditions and valuations; figures are approximate and subject to change. Readers should refer to official sources for the most current data.