The landscape of global wealth has witnessed a historic and unprecedented shift. Elon Musk, the visionary behind Tesla and SpaceX, has achieved a financial milestone once thought impossible for an individual. According to the latest estimates from Forbes, Musk's net worth has now soared past $600 billion (approximately ₹5,43,000 crore), making him the first person in recorded history to cross this staggering threshold.
The SpaceX Engine Driving Unprecedented Wealth
The primary catalyst for this monumental jump is the skyrocketing valuation of SpaceX. Earlier this month, a private tender offer valued the space exploration company at a colossal $800 billion. This marks a dramatic doubling from its $400 billion valuation in August 2024. With Musk holding an estimated 42 percent stake in SpaceX, this valuation surge alone added roughly $168 billion to his fortune. Forbes now calculates his SpaceX holdings to be worth around $336 billion, cementing it as his most valuable single asset.
Furthermore, SpaceX's future looks even brighter with plans for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) targeted for 2026. An investor familiar with the plans told Forbes that the company could be valued at a staggering $1.5 trillion at the time of the public listing, a move that would further solidify Musk's financial dominance.
Tesla and xAI: The Pillars of a Vast Empire
While SpaceX leads the charge, Musk's other ventures continue to be formidable contributors to his wealth. His approximately 12 percent stake in Tesla is valued at an estimated $197 billion by Forbes. The electric vehicle giant also holds future potential through a newly approved pay package. If Tesla meets ambitious long-term performance goals over the next decade, this package could grant Musk additional stock worth up to $1 trillion.
Adding another layer to his portfolio is xAI Holdings, Musk's artificial intelligence venture. The company is reportedly in discussions to raise new funding at a $230 billion valuation, more than double its initial valuation. Forbes estimates Musk owns a 53 percent stake in xAI, currently valued at about $60 billion.
A Meteoric Five-Year Rise to the Top
Musk's ascent to this unparalleled wealth level has been remarkably rapid. A look at the timeline reveals his extraordinary journey:
- March 2020: Net worth stood at $24.6 billion.
- August 2020: Crossed $100 billion, becoming the fifth person ever to do so.
- January 2021: Became the world's richest person with nearly $190 billion.
- November 2021: Reached the $300 billion mark.
- December 2024: Crossed $400 billion.
- October 2025: Surpassed $500 billion.
- Present: Breaches the $600 billion barrier, a first in history.
Oracle's Larry Ellison remains the only other individual to have crossed both the $300 billion and $400 billion levels.
The news has ignited a storm of reactions on social media, with users expressing awe at the scale of his fortune. Comments ranged from humorous comparisons to national GDPs to predictions that Musk will become the world's first trillionaire. The wealth gap is now stark, with Musk holding a lead of roughly $425 billion over the second-richest person, Google co-founder Larry Page, who is valued at around $252 billion. With Musk now just $23 billion away from $700 billion, the next historic milestone may be closer than it seems.
