Elon Musk surpasses $700 billion net worth as Supreme Court backs historic 2018 stock deal
Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s net worth has surged to $749 billion after the Delaware Supreme Court reinstated his 2018 stock options, which had been canceled by a lower court. The restored options, worth $139 billion, pushed Musk past $700 billion, making him the first person in history to reach this milestone.
Earlier this week, Musk also became the first person to surpass $600 billion following reports that his aerospace company, SpaceX, may go public.
With this fortune, Musk now outpaces Google co-founder Larry Page, the world’s second-richest person, by nearly $500 billion. The Supreme Court’s ruling described the previous cancellation of Musk’s pay package as “improper and inequitable,” restoring what many see as a historic compensation deal.
In November, Tesla shareholders approved a $1 trillion pay plan, the largest in corporate history, reflecting confidence in Musk’s vision of transforming Tesla into a leader in artificial intelligence, robotics, and sustainable energy.
Musk’s wealth growth comes amid Tesla’s ongoing expansion and innovation in electric vehicles, AI technology, and advanced manufacturing, reinforcing his position as a defining figure in the global tech and automotive industries.
Why did shareholders agree?
Most investors see it this way: “If Elon makes me $10 richer, I don’t mind giving him $1 of that profit.” For Musk to get his $1 trillion, he has to create roughly $7 trillion in new wealth for the other people who own Tesla stock.
Understanding $1 Trillion Tesla Pay Plan
To put it simply, Elon Musk’s new pay deal is like a high-stakes video game where he only gets paid if he reaches the final level and beats every “boss.”
If he fails to hit the targets, he gets zero meaning no salary, no bonuses, and no health insurance from Tesla.
1. All or Nothing: Musk doesn’t get a regular paycheck. He earns stock options only if he hits 12 huge milestones. If Tesla doesn’t grow, he gets $0; if it becomes the most valuable company ever, he could become a trillionaire.
2. Two Keys to Unlock Money: For each milestone, Musk must hit both:
2.1 Stock Price: Tesla’s value must rise ~$500 billion per level, reaching $8.5 trillion total.
2.2 Business Goals: Sell 20 million cars, launch 1 million Robotaxis, and build 1 million Optimus robots.
3. Golden Handcuffs: He must stay at Tesla 7.5–10 years, and hold the shares for 5 years, ensuring long-term commitment.
- Analysis | Daily ScrollDown
Source: Reuters, InvestingFox, Los Angeles Times, Times of India