Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and one of the most influential figures in global technology and industry, has reached a staggering financial milestone: his net worth briefly surpassed $500 billion on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Forbes Billionaires Index. This makes him the first individual in recorded history to amass a fortune exceeding half a trillion dollars.
Musk’s net worth peaked at $500.1 billion before dipping slightly later in the day to just over $499 billion. Nonetheless, the achievement cements his position as the world’s richest person, far ahead of his closest rivals.
Tesla Drives the Surge
The bulk of Musk’s wealth stems from his more than 12% stake in Tesla, the electric vehicle giant. Tesla shares rose 3.3% at the close of New York trading on Wednesday and have gained over 20% since the beginning of the year, significantly boosting Musk’s net worth.
Despite facing fierce competition in the electric vehicle market, particularly from Chinese automakers like BYD, Musk continues to steer Tesla toward new frontiers in artificial intelligence and robotics, two sectors he believes will define the future of the company.
Last month, Musk made headlines by purchasing nearly $1 billion worth of Tesla stock, a move seen by investors as a strong vote of confidence in the company’s long-term prospects.
Tech Rivals Trail Far Behind
Following Musk in the global wealth rankings is Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, whose net worth stands at approximately $350.7 billion. Ellison briefly surpassed Musk last month after Oracle shares surged more than 40%, buoyed by optimism about its cloud infrastructure and AI-related business.
However, Musk’s business empire stretches far beyond Tesla. He also owns:
- X (formerly Twitter), the social media platform he acquired in 2022
- xAI, an emerging artificial intelligence company
- SpaceX, a private aerospace and space transportation company
These ventures have diversified his wealth and influence, particularly in the tech and space industries.
A Trillion-Dollar Compensation Package?
Tesla’s board has confirmed that Musk is fully back in the spotlight as the company’s public face. Chairwoman Robyn Denholm stated in September that Musk is “completely at the forefront” of the company’s direction.
In fact, Tesla’s board is considering awarding Musk a historic compensation package potentially worth over $1 trillion—but only if he meets a set of extremely ambitious goals over the next decade. These include:
- Increasing Tesla’s market value eightfold
- Selling 1 million intelligent robots
- Reaching 12 million vehicle sales annually
If successful, the package would dwarf any previous executive bonus in corporate history.
A Controversial Figure
Despite his business achievements, Musk remains a divisive and polarizing figure. In early 2025, he faced heavy criticism for taking a political role as head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under former President Donald Trump. The department aimed to slash government spending and cut federal jobs. Musk later resigned after reportedly clashing with Trump over policy disagreements.
He’s also known for his outspoken opposition to immigration programs, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and other progressive causes. His vocal presence on X (formerly Twitter), which he now owns, keeps him constantly in the public eye beloved by some, reviled by others.
A Defining Force in 21st-Century Industry
Whether admired as a visionary or criticized for his provocative style, Musk has proven to be one of the defining personalities of the modern era. His half-trillion-dollar fortune isn’t just a financial milestone—it’s a symbol of how the tech industry, when fused with ambition and controversy, can produce unprecedented power and influence.
With his eyes set on AI, robotics, space exploration, and even political reform, Elon Musk continues to shape the future on his own terms.
