Elon Musk’s net worth soars $62 billion in one day to $447 billion, making him the richest man in history

Elon Musk’s wealth has climbed to an unprecedented level, cementing his status as the wealthiest individual in history. According to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, Musk’s net worth has reached a staggering $447 billion, surpassing even the legendary wealth of Mansa Musa, the 14th-century emperor of Mali.

Musk’s rise in net worth is fueled by surges in the valuations of Tesla and SpaceX. Tesla’s stock recently hit record highs, surging by 69% since the U.S. presidential election, bringing the company’s market capitalization to $1.32 trillion as of late Wednesday.

Investors anticipate growth opportunities for Tesla under the incoming Trump administration, with some pointing to potential policy shifts that could benefit the electric vehicle sector. Musk’s ownership of hundreds of millions of Tesla shares has been a key driver of his wealth.

SpaceX, the aerospace company Musk founded in 2002, has also contributed significantly to his fortune. A recent deal involving insider shares valued SpaceX at $350 billion, further boosting Musk’s financial standing. Additionally, his ventures in artificial intelligence through xAI have played a role in increasing his net worth.

Forbes also reported Musk’s wealth surpassed the $400 billion mark, estimating it at $428 billion. This milestone follows years of remarkable growth, with Musk’s fortune first exceeding $300 billion in 2021. The billionaire’s financial ascent began in earnest in 2012 when media outlets first associated him with the “three-comma club.”

Bloomberg Billionaires Index

Elon Musk Surpasses Mansa Musa as the Wealthiest Individual in History with $439 Billion Net Worth

Meanwhile, Musk’s achievements have eclipsed those of other top billionaires. As of Wednesday, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison, and Bernard Arnault held the second through fifth positions on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, respectively.

Musk’s net worth of $447 billion makes him the richest person, surpassing even the legendary wealth of Mansa Musa, the 14th-century emperor of Mali.

Mansa Musa, often considered the richest person ever, had a fortune estimated between $400 billion and $500 billion when adjusted for inflation, largely derived from Mali’s vast gold reserves.

Mansa Musa’s historical wealth remains a point of fascination. The emperor’s immense fortune was derived from Mali’s control of gold and salt resources during an era when gold was in exceptionally high demand. His pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 became legendary, as his generous distribution of gold reportedly disrupted regional economies by causing inflation.

With his net worth now exceeding $447 billion, Musk has not only reshaped industries like electric vehicles and space exploration but also claimed a place in history as a figure whose wealth rivals and surpasses even the grandest fortunes of the past.