THE net worth of the world’s richest billionaire, Elon Musk, has surged to a staggering US$648 billion, underscoring an unprecedented concentration of personal wealth driven by sharp gains in technology and aerospace valuations.
According to a report by the New York Post, Musk’s fortune now stands at more than twice that of the world’s second-wealthiest individual and exceeds the market value of several major corporations in the United States.
Data from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index shows that his wealth rose by US$178 billion in just two days.
So far this year alone, Musk has recorded gains of US$216 billion, as investor confidence rallied following positive reception of Tesla’s autonomous taxi trials in the US state of Texas.
The increase means the Tesla and SpaceX founder has accumulated more wealth within a single year than the entire net worth of luxury goods magnate Bernard Arnault, whose fortune stands at US$205 billion.
A key driver of Musk’s expanding wealth is his 12 per cent stake in Tesla, currently valued at approximately US$200 billion, which propelled his net worth to a new high.
Further contributing to the surge are reports that SpaceX has doubled its valuation since the summer of 2025 to an estimated US$800 billion following a secondary share sale.
The rocket launch company is reportedly targeting an initial public offering in the second half of 2026, according to technology news outlet The Information, a move that could further reshape global wealth rankings and reinforce Musk’s dominance at the top of the billionaire list. – December 18, 2025
