Elon Musk’s Net Worth Jumps Close to $750 Billion After Court Ruling

New Delhi: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s net worth has surged to nearly $750 billion following a US court decision that reinstated Tesla stock options worth $139 billion, strengthening his position as the world’s richest individual.

According to the Forbes Billionaires Index, the latest development has moved Musk significantly closer to becoming the world’s first trillionaire.

The Delaware Supreme Court recently restored Musk’s 2018 Tesla pay package, overturning a lower court’s ruling that had earlier described the compensation as “unfathomable.” The verdict reversed a 2024 decision that had cancelled the package, noting that complete rescission would leave Musk “uncompensated for his time and efforts over a period of six years,” as stated in the 49-page ruling.

Based on Tesla’s closing stock price on Friday, the 2018 compensation package is valued at around $139 billion. If Musk exercises all the stock options included in the deal, his stake in Tesla would increase from approximately 12.4 per cent to 18.1 per cent on an expanded share base.

The pay agreement allows Musk to purchase about 304 million Tesla shares at a discounted price, contingent on the company achieving specific performance milestones. Tesla’s board had earlier warned that disruption to Musk’s compensation could risk his departure from the electric vehicle giant.

Earlier this week, Musk became the first individual to surpass $600 billion in net worth, amid reports that SpaceX may go public. A reported SpaceX tender offer valuing the company at $800 billion has boosted Musk’s wealth by about $168 billion, taking it to an estimated $677 billion.

SpaceX is reportedly targeting an initial public offering (IPO) next year, with a potential valuation of $1.5 trillion. Meanwhile, Musk’s 12 per cent stake in Tesla, excluding stock options, is valued at around $197 billion.

In addition, Musk’s xAI Holdings is said to be in discussions to raise fresh funding at a valuation of nearly $230 billion. Musk owns about 53 per cent of xAI Holdings, translating to an estimated value of $60 billion.