A triumphant quarter for Tesla has catapulted its CEO, Elon Musk, into a financial league of his own, making him the first person ever to be worth $500 billion. The milestone, reached on Wednesday, was a direct result of the electric carmaker’s soaring stock price and record-breaking vehicle deliveries.
Tesla’s market value has now swelled to over $1.5 trillion, and as the owner of 12% of the company, Musk’s wealth has grown in lockstep. The company’s shares have rallied an impressive 13% since the start of 2025, overcoming early-year anxieties to post substantial gains. This rally added tens of billions to Musk’s net worth in a short period.
The fuel for this surge came from a stellar third-quarter performance report released on Thursday. Tesla announced it had delivered a record 497,099 vehicles, smashing analyst forecasts. A key factor was a wave of purchases in the United States from customers eager to claim a federal tax credit before it expired, demonstrating the brand’s immense pull.
While Tesla’s success is central to his fortune, Musk’s other ventures provide significant financial ballast. SpaceX, the private aerospace giant where he holds a 42% stake, is reportedly seeking a valuation of $400 billion. His new artificial intelligence firm, xAI, is also turning heads with a valuation of $75 billion, showcasing his successful bets on future technologies.
The half-trillion-dollar achievement marks a personal victory for Musk, who faced criticism earlier in the year for his focus being diverted by his other companies and his political activities. By reinvesting both his time and a billion dollars of his own money into Tesla, he has reaffirmed his commitment and reaped the historic financial rewards.