Elon Musk, the reigning king of the world’s richest individuals, is not just a name synonymous with wealth, but also an influential figure across various business sectors. His leadership reigns across companies like Tesla Inc, X, xAI, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company, making him a force to be reckoned with. But here’s the big news: he could soon become the world’s first trillionaire.
Musk’s current wealth, estimated at $241 billion, sits comfortably above the second-place holder, Jeff Bezos, by a staggering $50 billion. This incredible fortune is driven by impressive growth rates, averaging 109.9% per year, according to a study by Informa Connect Academy. While other billionaires like Gautam Adani (+122.9%) and Jensen Huang (+111.9%) boast higher growth rates, Musk is projected to lead the pack and reach the coveted $1 trillion mark by 2027.
The study predicts this achievement hinges on Tesla maintaining its impressive 173.3% annual growth rate. A significant portion of Musk’s wealth is derived from his stakes in Tesla (around 13%) and SpaceX (around 42%), with Tesla providing the more liquid wealth due to its publicly traded shares. This constant fluctuation in Tesla’s stock prices directly impacts Musk’s daily wealth levels.
Tesla, once valued at $1 trillion, is projected to return to this elite club of companies valued at $1 trillion or more by 2025. Musk’s projected trillionaire status isn’t a solo race, though. The study predicts Adani and Huang will join him in the trillionaire club by 2028.
However, it’s important to remember that Musk’s wealth has experienced significant swings in the past. In 2022, his wealth plummeted by over $180 billion – a Guinness World Record – due to a 60% drop in Tesla’s stock price. This highlights the volatility of companies linked to Musk, which could potentially accelerate or decelerate his path to becoming a trillionaire.
While Musk is predicted to be the first to reach the trillionaire mark, Bezos is not expected to reach this milestone until 2036, with a slower average annual wealth growth rate of 15.3%. Mark Zuckerberg, despite having the highest wealth gain this year, also boasts a lower average annual growth rate (35.8%) compared to other top billionaires. He is predicted to reach trillionaire status in 2030.
Beyond the trillionaire race, other companies are projected to join the $1 trillion market capitalization club. Berkshire Hathaway has already entered this club, and Tesla, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Eli Lilly, and Broadcom are predicted to follow in 2025. Eli Lilly, according to a Benzinga reader poll, is seen as the next company likely to reach the $1 trillion milestone after Berkshire Hathaway. Novo Nordisk is expected to join the club in 2026, followed by Exxon Mobil, ASML, and Advance Micro Devices in 2028.
These predictions, while insightful, must be considered alongside the ever-changing dynamics of the business world. Volatility is inherent in the market, and these projections could shift as circumstances evolve. However, one thing is clear: the quest for trillionaire status is heating up, and the world is watching closely to see who will emerge as the first to achieve this unprecedented milestone.
