New York/Wilmington: Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has rewritten the history of global wealth. Following the Delaware Supreme Court’s decision to reinstate his 2018 compensation package at Tesla, Musk’s total net worth has crossed the US$700 billion mark, making him the first person in the world to achieve the milestone. According to Forbes’ Billionaires Index, his fortune surged to around US$749 billion late on Friday.
The jump came after the top court restored Tesla stock options that had been struck down last year by a lower court as “excessive and unfair.” The Supreme Court ruled that the 2024 rescission order was improper, holding that it was inequitable to Musk.
2018 package, restored in 2025
Musk’s 2018 pay package was originally valued at US$56 billion and tied to stringent performance milestones at Tesla. With the latest ruling, stock options worth about US$139 billion were reinstated, triggering an extraordinary leap in his personal wealth. The decision has also reignited global debate on corporate governance, shareholder approval, and executive compensation.
From US$600 billion to US$700 billion—at breakneck speed
Earlier this week, Musk became the first individual to surpass US$600 billion in net worth, buoyed by reports that SpaceX could be moving toward a potential IPO, lifting the valuation of his private holdings. The court’s ruling further accelerated the rise.
Shareholder confidence and record approval
In November, Tesla shareholders separately approved a US$1 trillion long-term pay plan for Musk—widely regarded as the largest compensation package in corporate history—backing his vision to transform Tesla from an electric-vehicle maker into an artificial intelligence and robotics powerhouse.
A vast gap to second place
According to Forbes, Musk’s fortune now exceeds that of the world’s second-richest person, Larry Page, by nearly US$500 billion—a reflection of the market value of his companies and his expansive bets across technology, space and AI.
Legal precedent and the road ahead
The Delaware Supreme Court’s ruling is being viewed as a significant legal precedent on executive pay in the United States, with potential long-term implications for judicial scrutiny of mega pay packages and shareholder rights. Markets are now watching Tesla’s AI roadmap, the prospects of a SpaceX IPO, and Musk’s broader portfolio.
