The net worth of Tesla CEO Elon Musk skyrocketed to $749 billion late Friday after the Delaware Supreme Court reinstated Tesla stock options valued at $139 billion that had been voided last year, according to Forbes’ billionaires index.
The court’s decision restored the 2018 compensation package to Elon Musk, originally worth $56 billion, nearly two years after a lower court dismissed it as “unfathomable.”
The Delaware Supreme Court ruled that a 2024 judgment that had rescinded the pay package was improper and inequitable to Musk.
This latest ruling comes on the heels of a week in which Elon Musk became the first individual in history to surpass $600 billion in net worth, driven by reports suggesting that his aerospace venture, SpaceX, could soon go public.
In addition to the stock option restoration, Tesla shareholders approved a separate $1 trillion pay plan for Musk in November, the largest corporate compensation package ever granted.
Investors have expressed confidence in Musk’s ambitious plans to transform Tesla into a leader in artificial intelligence, robotics, and electric vehicles.
With the reinstatement of the 2018 pay package, Musk’s wealth now exceeds that of Google co-founder Larry Page, the world’s second-richest individual, by nearly $500 billion, according to Forbes.
Musk’s extraordinary rise underscores the massive value of his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX, as well as his influence on the tech and automotive industries.
Analysts note that while Musk’s net worth is highly volatile, tied largely to stock valuations, the reinstatement of his stock options solidifies his status as the richest person in modern history.
The decision also highlights the ongoing legal and financial complexities surrounding executive compensation in major corporations.
Musk’s unprecedented fortune has sparked global discussions about wealth, corporate governance, and the impact of tech billionaires on the world economy.
