Tesla, SpaceX and xAI CEO Elon Musk has further cemented his position as the world’s richest person after a US court reinstated his massive Tesla stock compensation plan, sharply boosting his net worth and bringing him closer to becoming the world’s first trillionaire.
Elon Musk’s net worth has surged to nearly $750 billion after the Delaware Supreme Court in the US restored his 2018 Tesla pay package, reversing an earlier court ruling that had scrapped the deal.
According to Forbes’ billionaires list, the reinstatement of Musk’s Tesla stock options currently valued at around $139 billion has significantly increased his overall wealth, putting him within striking distance of the historic $1 trillion net worth milestone.
US Court Restores Musk’s 2018 Tesla Pay Deal
The Delaware Supreme Court overturned a 2024 lower-court ruling that had cancelled Musk’s compensation package, arguing that removing the pay deal entirely would effectively mean Musk was not compensated for six years of work at Tesla.
The court noted that the original decision failed to adequately consider Musk’s long-term contributions and the performance milestones tied to the package.
What the Tesla Pay Package Includes
The 2018 compensation plan allows Musk to buy around 304 million Tesla shares at a discounted price, provided the company met aggressive market capitalisation and operational targets which it eventually did.
Based on Tesla’s current share price:
- The stock options are valued at approximately $139 billion
- Musk’s ownership in Tesla would rise from 12.4% to 18.1% if all options are exercised
Tesla’s board had earlier warned that disruption to Musk’s pay could risk his continued leadership at the electric vehicle giant.
Musk Becomes First Person to Cross $600 Billion Net Worth
Earlier this week, Musk became the first individual in history to surpass $600 billion in net worth, driven largely by renewed optimism around SpaceX’s valuation and a potential IPO.
SpaceX is reportedly conducting a tender offer valuing the company at nearly $800 billion, which alone added an estimated $168 billion to Musk’s wealth, taking his net worth to around $677 billion at the time.
The rocket company is also believed to be exploring an IPO next year, with valuations speculated to reach as high as $1.5 trillion.
Tesla, SpaceX and xAI Drive Wealth Surge
Musk’s wealth is spread across his core ventures:
- Tesla stake: Around 12%, valued at nearly $197 billion, excluding stock options
- SpaceX: Majority-owned, now among the world’s most valuable private companies
- xAI Holdings: Reportedly in talks to raise fresh funding at a valuation of $230 billion
- xAI stake: Musk owns 53%, valued at roughly $60 billion
The rapid rise of xAI has further strengthened Musk’s standing across artificial intelligence, space, and electric vehicles.
Closer to Becoming the World’s First Trillionaire
With Tesla’s pay package reinstated, SpaceX moving closer to public markets, and xAI attracting investor interest, Musk’s wealth trajectory continues to accelerate.
Analysts believe sustained gains in Tesla stock, a successful SpaceX IPO, or further AI-led valuation jumps could push Musk into unprecedented trillionaire territory within the next few years.
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