December 17, 2025 | 04:53 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX and one of the world’s most influential technology entrepreneurs, has set a new global record in personal wealth, becoming the first individual to reach a net worth of US$600 billion.
Forbes, as cited by NDTV, reports that this marks the highest valuation of Musk’s fortune to date, reflecting strong investor confidence in his companies, particularly SpaceX.
What Is Driving the Surge?
The main catalyst behind the jump in Musk’s wealth is growing speculation that SpaceX, his private aerospace company, is preparing for an initial public offering. SpaceX is expected to seek a valuation of around US$800 billion.
Musk owns about 42 percent of the company, meaning any move toward a public listing would have a direct and substantial impact on his net worth.
Forbes estimates that a valuation at this level could add up to US$168 billion to his wealth, pushing it to roughly US$677 billion.
How Fast Has His Wealth Grown?
Musk first crossed the US$500 billion mark in October 2025, highlighting how rapidly his fortune has expanded in just a matter of months. The rise reflects not only optimism around SpaceX but also strong performance across his broader business portfolio.
What Role Does Tesla Play?
Tesla remains a major pillar of Musk’s wealth. He owns about 12 percent of the electric vehicle maker, whose shares have climbed 13 percent this year.
Tesla stock gained nearly 4 percent on Monday after Musk revealed that the company is testing fully driverless taxis without safety monitors in the front passenger seat, a development that reinforced investor enthusiasm about its autonomous technology.
In November, Tesla shareholders approved a US$1 trillion compensation package for Musk, the largest corporate pay deal in history. Supporters argue the package reflects confidence in Musk’s long-term vision to turn Tesla into a leader in artificial intelligence and robotics, not just electric vehicles.
What Else Is Fueling His Valuation?
Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, is reportedly in advanced talks to raise US$15 billion at a valuation of US$230 billion, adding further momentum to his expanding business empire.
Taken together, these factors explain how Musk reached the US$600 billion milestone, reinforcing his status as the world’s richest person and a central figure shaping the future of technology, transportation, and space exploration.
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