Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Inc, has seen his net worth surge in 2026. Unlike past years, the jump isn’t coming from a rally in the EV maker’s stock. This time, the boost comes from a merger between two of his own companies: SpaceX and xAI.
SpaceX, xAI Merger Boosts Musk’s Net Worth
Heading into 2026, the net worth of the world’s richest person was already so large that he could buy every MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL team with money left over. With SpaceX and xAI moving toward a merger, estimates of Musk’s wealth have been updated, declaring him the first person in history to surpass $800 billion.
Key Figures
- Net worth: $852 billion
- Increase: $84 billion
- Combined valuation of SpaceX and xAI: $1.25 trillion
- Musk’s ownership of the combined company: 43%
- Value of Musk’s ownership: $542 billion
- Value of Tesla stock ownership: $178 billion
- Value of Tesla stock options: $124 billion
What’s Next For Elon Musk’s Net Worth?
Musk’s net worth has passed significant milestones over the past year, including becoming the first person worth $500 billion, $600 billion, $700 billion, and now $800 billion. Estimates of his net worth include his current Tesla stock and options, but not his record pay package that was approved by shareholders in November. This pay package could award Musk up to nearly $1 trillion in additional Tesla shares if the company hits certain milestones.
Potential for Future Growth
- Tesla’s move to shift FSD from a one-time purchase to a subscription
- Plans to halt production of some vehicle models to prioritize Optimus Bot manufacturing
- Potential for a SpaceX IPO in 2026, which could see the company valued at $1.5 trillion or higher
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s net worth appears poised to keep climbing through 2026 and beyond. With a potential SpaceX IPO and new milestones at Tesla, Musk is on track to become the world’s first trillionaire — a matter of when, not if. His wealth is currently $578 billion ahead of the second-richest person, Larry Page, co-founder of Google.