Elon Musk’s net worth surged to $749 billion late Friday after the Delaware Supreme Court reinstated Tesla stock options valued at $139 billion, according to the Forbes Billionaires Index.
The ruling restored Musk’s controversial 2018 compensation package, which was originally valued at $56 billion. A lower court had struck it down last year, calling it excessive. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the 2024 decision to void the package was improper and unfair to Musk.
The restored pay deal gives Musk greater influence over Tesla, a priority he has repeatedly emphasised. If Musk exercises all the options from the 2018 package, his stake in Tesla would rise from 12.4% to 18.1%, based on an expanded share count.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk's net worth surged to $749 billion late Friday after the Delaware Supreme Court reinstated Tesla stock options worth $139 billion that were voided last year, according to Forbes' billionaires index. pic.twitter.com/sDmqPL1xPy
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) December 21, 2025Meanwhile, shareholders have already approved a separate performance-based compensation plan. That package could be worth up to $878 billion if Tesla meets ambitious growth and technology targets. Musk must earn those shares by hitting strict milestones.
Earlier this week, Musk became the first individual in history to cross $600 billion in net worth. This jump followed reports that his aerospace venture, SpaceX, may pursue a public listing.
In November, Tesla investors also approved a $1 trillion future pay plan, the largest corporate compensation package ever. Shareholders backed Musk’s strategy to transform Tesla into a leader in artificial intelligence and robotics, in addition to electric vehicles.
As a result, Musk’s fortune now exceeds that of Larry Page, the world’s second-richest person, by nearly $500 billion, Forbes data shows.
