When we think of personalities who have redefined the 21st century, and totally transform our surroundings by technologies. One name stands out with electric clarity in all the minds, that is Elon Musk. From co-founding PayPal to directing rockets to space through SpaceX, from innovating transportation with Tesla to conceptualizing a future on Mars, to solar innovations and artificial intelligent projects, Musk’s journey is anything but not ordinary.
His net worth, which swings with the markets but consistently ranks him at No.1 among the top three richest people in the world that is decreased from 420$billion to 393$Billion. This article walks you through the life, achievements, and wealth of Elon Musk and explores the man behind the money. So, read till the end.
Early Life: Born with a Curious Mind
Who else can think that one day a child who got bullied in school will be the richest man in the world with his updated wealth count of 37,900 crores ? Yes! Don’t be surprised. On June 28, 1971, he was born with a brain behind billions in South Africa. He started his primary education from Water kloof House preparatory school.
Then he went to Bryanston high school, where he completed his higher school studies. And, finally, he graduated from Pretoria boys high school. In 1990, he joined the “Queen university of Canada”. There, after 2 years of brilliance, he moved to “University of Pennsylvania” where he got his bachelor of arts in Physics and bachelor of science in Economics. At only age of 12, he launched a video game named “Blaster” and earned his first income of $500 by selling it.
Family Background
When we talk about legendary Elon Musk and his revolutionary innovations, we must hit the question: where, and who raised this extraordinary mind? Well, let me inform you here that he belongs from the rich family of South Africa. His father Errol Musk belonged from South Africa and was a successful engineer and pilot.
These fields give him a complex and deep understanding of mechanics and technology, which urge Musk to take interest in innovation. While his mother Maye Musk belonged from Canada but raised in South Africa. She worked as a dietician, and as well as a model. After her divorce from Errol Musk in 1980, when Elon Musk was only 9 years old, she gracefully pursued her career with her three children.
Yes, let me reveal for you that Elon Musk is not a single child. He has two siblings, one is his younger brother named Kimbal while his sister is Tosca. Both are leading their careers successfully. His brother is a powerful food entrepreneur, while his sister is a reputable film and media entrepreneur. This ambitious sibling trio proves their competitive and visionary bloodline.
Complex Relationships of Elon Musk
We can say that a man who is currently holding a huge part of the federal workforce and American public in his palm is not fortunate in his personal life. Elon officially got married three times, but not even a single marriage can survive. He first married to Justin Musk in 2000 whom he met in Queen University. After 8 years of marriage and five children, they got divorced.
Second time, he got married to Talulah Riley in 2010 and got separated in 2012 with no child. Then they remarried in 2013 but unfortunately divorced again in 2016. In 2018, Elon started dating a Canadian musician named Grimes who is famous for her energetic personality and progressive music. They became parents of one son and got separated. In 2002, it was revealed that Elon Musk also had two kids with the lady named Shivon Zilis who was an AI expert in one of his companies. But they also ended their relationship.
Starting of Career
In 1996, Elon Musk started up a company with his brother Kimbal named ZIP2. That company provided the Maps and online business directories to the newspaper. After 4 years, they sold zip 2 to Compaq for $307million. In which Elon Musk was $22million. This was the first significant success of Elon in his career milestone.
Second Taste of Success
After Zip2, Elon could not stop himself from bringing new ideas. In 1999, he started an online payment company with the name X.com. After some time, x.com changed with the name PayPal and was sold to eBay in 2002 with a net worth $1.5 billion. The Elon share was $165 Million.
Eyes on starts: Start up of SpaceX
In 2002, Elon started a space hunting technologies firm with the aim of reducing the total cost of space travel, which could open new doors for scientific discovery. In the beginning, he faced many failures and hurdles. His partners said it did not work, but they were not aware of the determination of Elon which led him towards success.
First Successful Rocket Launch
Finally, in 2008, Elon was the first owner of a private company who successfully launched a rocket in international airspace with the name of dragon. And, today SpaceX is the Largest space travel entity, specially in terms of launches of the aircraft that can reusable named Falcon 9 and starship.
One of their satellites named Starlink developed in 2012 with the aim of a low cost rocket with internet connection in space. In 2025, almost 7600 starlinks working in space contain 65% of all earth operational satellites. According to recent search, Space up value is over $180 billion, in which Musk owns the 42% that give a significant boost to his wealth.
Joining of Tesla
Elon plans to drive the future by joining Tesla as a CEO in 2004. Tesla did not invent the electric vehicles, but it invents the batteries that make these cars more cool, fast and worthable. After the joining of Musk, Tesla created revolutionary models like the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y, pushing electric vehicles (EVs) into the mainstream thought.
Beyond cars, Tesla also develops solar energy products and battery storage solutions. As per present studies, tesla net worth is $700 million. Are you wondering if Elon shares it? That is 13% which contributes the largest amount in his net worth.
Other Ventures of Elon
If there is you or me, maybe we will stop, but Elon’s innovations did not limit to cars or rockets. After successfully conquering stars and cars, he set up and supported many other businesses that play a leading part in his wealth and new technology. Let’s have a short glance at them.
Neuralink
It is a neurotechnology company with the main aim of brain and machine interaction. Its main process is to implant a chip into the human brain which can send signals to outer devices like your mobile or laptop. Through that signal, you can read the human brain or understand what he wants to say. This brilliant innovation helps humans medically and technically too.
SolarCity Company
Musk solar energy corporation works to create solar technology solutions for homes and businesses. Musk merged this company with Tesla and now all of its products like solar batteries, dollar roofs, solar power fall are known with the name of Tesla products in the market.
The Boring Company
The TBC is also co-founded by Elon Musk, with the aim to create ease for humans in their daily traffic issue. This company construct underground transportation tunnels in which a vehicle can travel 150 miles per hour (ca. 241 km/h). In early 2021, the Loss Vegas tunnel completed by The Boring Company and serving in the Las Vegas Convention center.
The AI and xAi Company
In 2015, Musk donated $50 million and co-funded an artificial intelligence company, intended to create a safe and powerful intelligence for humans. In 2018, Musk left the AI organization and in July 2023, Musk unveiled the artificial intelligence company with the name xAI, which sets out to develop a generative artificial intelligence program that overlaps with existing offerings like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Total Net Worth of Elon Musk
Do you still dive into wondering about how rich Elon Musk is? I am here to satisfy your query. According to recent studies, Elon Musk is the richest man in the world. His net worth is $220billions to $250billions, depending upon the Tesla stocks and star X worth.
Here is a rough idea for you about from where his income is generating
- Tesla (13% stake): ~$100–140 billion
- SpaceX (42% stake): ~$70–90 billion
- Other Ventures (Neuralink, The Boring Company, X Corp): ~$5–10 billion
- Cash and Other Assets: ~$5–10 billion
Interesting fact of Elon’s Wealth
Yes, the interesting point of Elon’s wealth is he doesn’t take any salary or income from his businesses. Most of his wealth is in stocks, and he funds personal expenditures by selling shares or taking loans against them. Furthermore, Musk’s net earnings can change by billions in a single day, depending on the stock market. For example, if Tesla stock jumps 5%, his net worth can rise by $10 billion in one night.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s life story and career success is a complex combination of genius, grit, and ambition. From a curious kid in South Africa to one of the highest-profile, wealthiest and most influential people on Earth, Musk has never followed the rules. He writes his own playbook in his own style.
Whether you admire him or criticize him, one thing is certain: Elon Musk is shaping the future, one bold idea at a time. No one has an idea how many more new inventive concepts are getting edifice in his mind. Let’s see!