WILMINGTON, DE – December 21, 2025 – Elon Musk has officially become the first human in history to surpass a net worth of $700 billion, reaching a staggering $749 billion late Friday evening. The unprecedented surge in wealth follows a landmark ruling by the Delaware Supreme Court, which fully reinstated Musk’s 2018 Tesla compensation package, previously voided by a lower court.
The decision, which Musk hailed on X as being “Vindicated,” restores a tranche of stock options now valued at approximately $139 billion. This restoration, combined with a record-breaking week for Tesla stock and a soaring valuation for SpaceX, has pushed Musk’s fortune into territory comparable to the annual GDP of major nations.
The “Unfathomable” Reversal
The legal victory marks the end of a multi-year battle over what was once described by a lower court judge as an “unfathomable” pay deal. In January 2024, Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick had rescinded the package, arguing that the approval process was deeply flawed. However, the Delaware Supreme Court’s five-judge panel overturned that decision Friday, ruling that the total rescission was “improper” and left Musk “uncompensated for his time and efforts over a period of six years.”
Key impacts of the ruling include:
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Increased Stake: If Musk exercises all options, his ownership of Tesla will jump from 12.4% to roughly 18.1%.
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Nominal Damages: The court awarded the plaintiff only $1 in nominal damages, effectively a total win for Musk and the Tesla board.
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Investor Confidence: Markets responded positively, with Tesla shares ending the week at $481.20, as the ruling removes a major cloud of leadership uncertainty.
SpaceX and the Trillion-Dollar Horizon
While the court ruling was the primary catalyst, Musk’s wealth has also been bolstered by his aerospace venture, SpaceX. Earlier this week, reports of a new tender offer valued the private company at $800 billion, while rumors of a 2026 IPO targeting a $1.5 trillion valuation have further fueled his net worth.
Just five days ago, Musk became the first person to cross the $600 billion mark. His current trajectory has economists and financial analysts predicting he could become the world’s first trillionaire as early as March 2026.
A Wealth Gap Like No Other
To put Musk’s $749 billion fortune into perspective, he is now worth nearly three times more than the world’s second-richest person, Google co-founder Larry Page (est. $252 billion). His wealth now exceeds the combined market caps of several major automotive competitors, underscoring his dominance across the EV, space, and AI sectors.
Despite the astronomical figures, Musk maintains that his primary goal remains the “multi-planetary future of humanity,” stating that his capital is merely a tool to fund the colonization of Mars and the development of sustainable energy.
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