Elon Musk stands as the wealthiest individual on Earth with a staggering net worth of $368 billion as of 2025. This South African-born entrepreneur built his fortune through revolutionary companies like Tesla and SpaceX, transforming multiple industries from electric vehicles to space exploration.
His wealth journey began with early ventures like PayPal and has skyrocketed through strategic investments and groundbreaking innovations. From humble beginnings in Pretoria to becoming richer than Jeff Bezos and other tech titans, Musk‘s financial empire continues expanding across diverse sectors including neural technology through Neuralink and social media with his acquisition of Twitter.
Elon Musk Wikipedia
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elon Reeve Musk |
| Date of Birth | June 28, 1971 |
| Age (2025) | 54 years old |
| Birthplace | Pretoria, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African-born Canadian-American |
| Height | 6’2″ (188 cm) |
| Weight | ~180 lbs (82 kg) |
| Net Worth (2025) | $368 billion |
| Historic Peak Net Worth | $340 billion (November 2021) |
| 2020 Wealth Increase | $142 billion in one year |
| 2022 Wealth Loss | Over $200 billion |
| Global Wealth Ranking | World’s richest person |
| Primary Companies | Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, The Boring Company, X (formerly Twitter) |
| Tesla Stake | 13% equity stake + 304 million exercisable options |
| SpaceX Ownership | 43% ownership |
| Major Acquisitions | Twitter for $44 billion (2022) |
| Education | Queen’s University (Canada), University of Pennsylvania |
| Marriages | 3 times (twice to Talulah Riley) |
| Children | 10 children from multiple relationships |
| Previous Ventures | Zip2, X.com (PayPal) |
| Real Estate (Past) | Previously $100M+ portfolio, mostly sold in 2020 |
| Current Properties | 16,000 sq ft Hillsborough mansion ($23.364M) |
Elon Musk’s Salary
Elon Musk operates under a unique compensation structure that differs dramatically from traditional CEO salaries. He doesn’t receive a fixed annual salary from Tesla – instead, his wealth comes entirely from performance-based stock options and equity stakes across his various companies.
| Compensation Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Tesla Base Salary | $0 (No fixed salary) |
| 2018 Compensation Plan | Performance-based options worth up to $55 billion |
| Plan Status | Voided by Delaware court in January 2024 |
| Options Earned | ~300 million options before voiding |
| Current Income Source | Equity appreciation across portfolio companies |
| Personal Debt | $500 million (testified in court as “cash poor”) |
What is Elon Musk’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, Elon Musk‘s net worth stands at $368 billion, making him the richest person in modern history. This astronomical figure represents a combination of his stakes in multiple groundbreaking companies and strategic investments across various industries.
His wealth primarily stems from his 13% equity stake in Tesla plus 304 million exercisable stock options, totaling approximately 21% of the electric vehicle giant. Additionally, his 43% ownership of SpaceX, valued at $180 billion, contributes significantly to his overall fortune. Other ventures like Neuralink, The Boring Company, and X (formerly Twitter) add substantial value to his portfolio.
Salary & 2018 Compensation Plan
Musk‘s controversial 2018 Tesla compensation plan structured his earnings around the company’s market capitalization milestones. The plan awarded him stock options equal to 1% of Tesla for every $50 billion increase in market value, capping at $600 billion total market cap.
Before its January 2024 court voiding, this plan had earned Musk approximately 300 million stock options worth around $55 billion. Delaware judge Kathaleen McCormick ruled the plan excessive and unfair to shareholders, citing inadequate board oversight and Musk‘s disproportionate influence over the approval process.
Early Life
Elon Reeve Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa, to Maye Musk, a Canadian model and dietitian, and Errol Musk, a South African electromechanical engineer. His childhood was marked by voracious reading and an early fascination with technology and space exploration that would later define his career trajectory.
Musk displayed entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, creating and selling a video game called Blastar for $500 when he was just 12 years old. After his parents divorced when he was 10, he lived primarily with his father, though he later described this period as difficult and formative in shaping his resilient character.
Elon Musk Age
Elon Musk is currently 54 years old as of 2025. Born on June 28, 1971, he’s achieved unprecedented business success across multiple industries during his fifth decade of life. His age represents decades of accumulated experience in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation that continue driving his ambitious projects forward.
Elon Musk Height & Weight
| Physical Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | 6’2″ (188 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 180 lbs (82 kg) |
| Build | Tall, lean frame |
| Notable Features | Often seen in casual business attire |
Elon Musk Nationality
Elon Musk holds triple citizenship: South African by birth, Canadian through his mother’s heritage, and American through naturalization. He moved to Canada at age 17 to attend Queen’s University, later transferring to the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. This multicultural background has influenced his global business perspective and international expansion strategies across his various companies.
Success
Musk‘s success story spans multiple revolutionary ventures that have fundamentally transformed entire industries. His journey began with Zip2, a web software company he co-founded with his brother Kimbal in 1995, which Compaq acquired for $340 million in 1999. This early windfall provided the capital for his next venture, X.com, which merged with Confinity to become PayPal – the online payment system that eBay purchased for $1.5 billion in 2002.
The PayPal success gave Musk the financial foundation to pursue his most ambitious projects. He founded SpaceX in 2002 with the audacious goal of making space travel accessible and eventually enabling human colonization of Mars. Simultaneously, he invested heavily in Tesla in 2004, becoming its largest shareholder and later CEO, revolutionizing the automotive industry by proving electric vehicles could be both desirable and profitable.
His success extends beyond Tesla and SpaceX. Neuralink, his brain-computer interface company, aims to merge human consciousness with artificial intelligence. The Boring Company tackles urban transportation through underground tunnel systems. Most recently, his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter (now X) demonstrates his commitment to reshaping social media platforms and free speech discourse.
Personal Life
Elon Musk‘s personal life has been as complex and publicized as his business ventures. His relationships, family dynamics, and personal philosophy often make headlines, sometimes overshadowing his professional achievements. Despite his immense wealth, Musk has publicly stated he’s “cash poor,” with most of his assets tied up in company stock rather than liquid cash.
His lifestyle choices reflect his work-obsessed nature. He’s known for sleeping at Tesla and SpaceX facilities during critical production periods, often working 80-100 hour weeks. Musk has been open about his struggles with work-life balance, acknowledging that his intense focus on business has sometimes strained his personal relationships.
Elon Musk Wife
Elon Musk has been married three times to two different women. His first marriage was to Canadian author Justine Wilson in 2000, lasting eight years until their divorce in 2008. The couple had six children together, though their first son, Nevada Alexander, tragically died of sudden infant death syndrome at 10 weeks old.
After his divorce from Justine, Musk married British actress Talulah Riley twice – first in 2010, divorced in 2012, remarried in 2013, and divorced again in 2016. Their on-and-off relationship attracted significant media attention, with Riley later describing Musk as brilliant but incredibly demanding.
Musk has also had high-profile relationships with actress Amber Heard and musician Grimes (Claire Boucher). His relationship with Grimes produced two children and lasted from 2018 to 2021. Recent news has linked him romantically to various figures, though he tends to keep his current dating life more private than his business ventures.
Elon Musk Kids
Elon Musk is father to 10 children from multiple relationships. With his first wife Justine Wilson, he had five sons: twins Griffin and Xavier (born 2004) and triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian (born 2006). Xavier legally changed her name to Vivian Jenna Wilson in 2022, citing estrangement from her father.
His relationship with Grimes produced two children: X Æ A-Xii (born May 2020) and Exa Dark Sideræl (nicknamed “Y,” born December 2021 via surrogate). The unusual names sparked widespread media attention and legal complications, as California initially rejected the “Æ” symbol.
Musk also has twins with Shivon Zilis, a Neuralink executive, born in November 2021. The children’s existence wasn’t publicly known until 2022, when court documents revealed their birth just weeks before his daughter with Grimes. This overlapping timeline created additional media scrutiny about his personal life and relationship management.
Real Estate
Elon Musk‘s real estate portfolio has undergone dramatic changes, reflecting his evolving philosophy about wealth and material possessions. He previously owned over $100 million worth of California properties, including a 16,000-square-foot mansion in Hillsborough purchased for $23.364 million.
In 2020, Musk announced his intention to “own no house” and began selling most of his real estate holdings. This decision aligned with his stated goal of dedicating maximum resources to his companies rather than personal luxury. He sold multiple properties in Bel Air and other exclusive neighborhoods, though he retained the Hillsborough mansion.
His current living situation reportedly involves staying at friends’ properties or company facilities, emphasizing his commitment to minimizing personal expenses while maximizing business investments. This unconventional approach to wealth management has become part of his public persona as someone who prioritizes mission over material comfort.
Elon Musk Net Worth History
Musk‘s wealth trajectory represents one of the most dramatic accumulations in modern financial history. His net worth journey began modestly with his share of Zip2’s $340 million sale in 1999, followed by his PayPal windfall of approximately $180 million in 2002.
The real acceleration began with Tesla‘s public listing in 2010 and SpaceX’s growing valuation. His net worth crossed the billion-dollar threshold around 2012, reaching $20 billion by 2018. The period from 2020-2021 saw explosive growth, with his wealth increasing by $142 billion in 2020 alone, primarily due to Tesla‘s stock surge.
Notable milestones include surpassing Jeff Bezos as the world’s richest person in January 2021, reaching $340 billion in November 2021 (the highest in modern history), and his current $368 billion peak in 2025. However, his wealth has also experienced significant volatility, particularly during the Twitter acquisition period when he sold $40 billion worth of Tesla stock, causing temporary declines in his net worth.
The consistent thread throughout his wealth history has been his willingness to reinvest profits into new ventures rather than diversifying into traditional investments, a strategy that has both amplified his gains and created substantial risk concentration in his own companies.
FAQs
How much is Elon Musk worth?
Elon Musk is worth $368 billion as of 2025, making him the richest person in the world.
Did Elon Musk lose $200 billion?
Yes, Musk lost over $200 billion during 2022 primarily due to Tesla stock declines and his $44 billion Twitter acquisition funding.
When was Elon Musk born?
Elon Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa.
Is Elon Musk the richest person ever?
Yes, Musk‘s $368 billion net worth makes him the richest person in recorded history, surpassing previous records.
How is Elon Musk shaping the future of Tech and finance?
Musk is revolutionizing tech through Tesla‘s electric vehicles, SpaceX’s space exploration, Neuralink‘s brain-computer interfaces, and cryptocurrency advocacy.
What is Elon Musk Foundation?
The Musk Foundation focuses on renewable energy, space exploration, pediatric research, and education initiatives with over $100 million in donations.
What are the main sources of Elon Musk’s wealth?
Musk‘s wealth comes from his Tesla stake (21% total), SpaceX ownership (43%), and investments in Neuralink, Boring Company, and X.
What companies contribute the most to Elon Musk’s net worth?
Tesla contributes approximately 60% of his wealth, followed by SpaceX at 25%, with remaining companies making up 15%.
What impact do Tesla’s stock price fluctuations have on Elon Musk’s net worth?
Tesla stock movements directly impact 60% of Musk‘s wealth, causing billions in daily net worth fluctuations during volatile trading periods.
Nathan Henry is a researcher specializing in celebrity culture, net worth insights, and entertainment trends. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Nathan delivers accurate and engaging content that resonates with readers.