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Elon Musk has just reached an unprecedented milestone in global economic history. According to estimates by Forbes, the entrepreneur and founder of some of the world’s most influential technology and mobility companies now has an estimated net worth of around US$677 billion — making him the first person in history to surpass the US$600 billion mark.
This extraordinary leap in Musk’s fortune is directly linked to the appreciation of his most strategic assets, particularly his roughly 42% stake in SpaceX. A recent revaluation places the company at approximately US$800 billion in market terms, ahead of a potential initial public offering (IPO) in 2026. This alone added around US$168 billion to his wealth in a single move.
Tesla, another cornerstone of Musk’s empire, has also contributed to this record. Its shares have remained resilient despite challenges in the automotive sector and continue to represent a significant portion of his personal wealth. Although the company has faced volatility and periods of decline throughout the year, Musk’s core stake in the electric carmaker remains one of the pillars of his financial trajectory — reflecting the importance of innovation in sustainable mobility within today’s economy.
The US$600 billion milestone comes shortly after Musk became the first person to exceed US$500 billion, another record achieved in October 2025. The meteoric rise of his fortune in recent years reflects not only the performance of his companies but also the growing role they play in sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, transport, energy and space exploration.
The significance of this achievement goes far beyond the numbers. Musk is now one of the most influential figures in the global technological and economic landscape, with ventures ranging from electric mobility (Tesla) and space exploration (SpaceX) to artificial intelligence (xAI) and technological infrastructure such as the Starlink satellite internet service. His ability to innovate across multiple fronts and reshape entire industries is central to the debate on technology as a driving force of the 21st-century economy.
However, this rise also brings important debates to the forefront — including the extreme concentration of wealth, the social and economic implications of fortunes of this magnitude, and the distinction between “on-paper” wealth (market valuation) and actual liquidity. Discussions around inequality, social responsibility, taxation and corporate governance become unavoidable when a single individual accumulates wealth exceeding the gross domestic product of many countries.
More than a numerical record, the milestone achieved by Elon Musk highlights an era in which technology, entrepreneurial vision and global markets converge to redefine both the concept of leadership and the limits of what is possible in the financial world.
