Elon Musk has become the wealthiest individual ever recorded, with an estimated net worth of $839 billion, according to the latest global billionaires ranking released by Forbes on Tuesday.
The surge in Musk’s fortune comes as the combined wealth of billionaires around the world climbed to a record $20.1 trillion over the past year.
Musk retained the top position on the Forbes World’s Billionaires list for the second consecutive year, after his wealth increased by about $500 billion in the last twelve months. The rise was largely driven by increased valuations of his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, with the latter reportedly preparing for a potential public offering in 2026.
The tech entrepreneur is now the first person in history to surpass the $800 billion mark, and analysts say he is on track to become the world’s first trillionaire if the growth of his companies continues.
Tesla’s turbulent year
Musk’s wealth increase follows a turbulent year for Tesla. The electric vehicle manufacturer experienced a sharp decline in its stock price earlier in 2025 after consumer boycotts emerged over Musk’s political support for Donald Trump and other far-right political figures.
However, the company’s shares rebounded strongly in the second half of the year after Musk stepped away from his role in the Trump administration. Tesla’s stock has remained strong since then. The billionaire rankings are based on financial valuations as of March 1, 2026.
Supporters of Tesla believe the company could see rapid growth in the coming years, particularly due to advancements in autonomous driving technology and artificial intelligence.
Shareholders back Musk
Despite mixed public opinions about Musk, Tesla shareholders have continued to support his leadership.
In a November vote, shareholders approved a compensation package that could be worth up to $1 trillion if Tesla achieves certain production and market valuation targets. The deal would increase Musk’s stake in the company to about 25 percent.
Before the vote, Musk indicated he might step away from Tesla if the package was not approved, stating that he needed a large enough ownership stake to maintain a “strong influence” over the company while pursuing his vision of building a “robot army.”
Musk has also noted that less than 0.1 percent of his wealth is held in cash, with most of his fortune tied to shares in his companies.
Experts caution on valuation
According to David Kirsch, a professor at the University of Maryland, estimates of Musk’s wealth should be viewed with caution.
He explained that a significant portion of the billionaire’s fortune depends on the valuation of equity assets whose future growth remains uncertain.
Kirsch noted that if Musk’s assets were measured strictly by current tangible value, the total might be significantly lower, though it would still exceed the wealth of any other individual.
Global billionaire boom
Musk’s fortune is more than three times larger than that of the next individuals on the list. The ranking now includes a record 3,428 billionaires worldwide, reflecting a surge in global wealth driven largely by rising stock markets and optimism surrounding artificial intelligence.
The second and third spots are held by the co-founders of Google, Larry Page with $257 billion and Sergey Brin with $237 billion.
Founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, ranks fourth with $224 billion, while Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive of Meta, occupies the fifth position with $222 billion.
The latest ranking features about 400 more billionaires than the previous year, highlighting a sharp rise in wealth among technology entrepreneurs.
Trump’s wealth increases
Meanwhile, former U.S. president Donald Trump climbed to 645th place on the list, up from 700th position a year earlier.
His net worth is estimated at $6.5 billion, an increase of $1.4 billion.
Much of Trump’s recent wealth growth has been linked to cryptocurrency investments he promoted, along with financial relief after a New York appeals court dismissed a $518 million civil fraud penalty previously imposed on him.
Reports also indicate that Trump’s business activities, including international deals and events hosted at his properties, have continued to generate significant income for the billionaire and his family.
Elon Musk Becomes Richest Individual Ever as Global Billionaire Wealth Hits $20.1 Trillion
