Musk Achieves Status as First $500 Billion Individual
3 minute readPublished: Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 5:17 pm

Elon Musk Briefly Hits $500 Billion Net Worth Milestone
Elon Musk, the prominent technology entrepreneur, has made history by temporarily reaching a net worth of $500 billion. This achievement, reported by Forbes, marks the first time an individual has surpassed this financial benchmark. The milestone was reached on Wednesday, though his net worth subsequently adjusted slightly downward.
Musk's wealth is largely tied to his holdings in Tesla and SpaceX. His position as the world's wealthiest individual is significantly ahead of his nearest competitor, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, by nearly $150 billion. Ellison briefly held the top spot earlier this month due to a surge in his company's stock.
Tesla's stock performance has been a key driver of Musk's fluctuating net worth. The stock experienced a significant rise in late 2024, fueled by expectations surrounding Musk's ventures and his association with then-President-elect Donald Trump. However, Tesla's stock value later declined when Musk took on a role at the Department of Government Efficiency, impacting his net worth. Both have since recovered following his departure and refocusing on his ventures.
Tesla recently reported a rebound in the third quarter, with a 7.4 percent increase in deliveries compared to the previous year. The company delivered 497,099 cars between July and September.
Looking ahead, Tesla has proposed a new pay package for Musk that could potentially make him the world's first trillionaire. The package, which is subject to shareholder approval in November, would grant Musk approximately 423 million shares if Tesla achieves specific milestones over the next decade. This comes as his 2018 pay package remains tied up in court.
BNN's Perspective: While Musk's financial success is undeniable, it's important to consider the broader implications of such concentrated wealth. The focus on shareholder value and the potential for a trillion-dollar valuation raise questions about corporate governance and the distribution of wealth in the modern economy. The upcoming shareholder vote on Musk's pay package will be a crucial indicator of investor sentiment and the future direction of Tesla.
Keywords: Elon Musk, net worth, $500 billion, Tesla, SpaceX, Forbes, Larry Ellison, stock performance, pay package, shareholder vote, trillionaire