Tesla chief executive Elon Musk’s net worth has surged to an estimated $749 billion after the Delaware Supreme Court reinstated Tesla stock options valued at $139 billion that had been voided last year, according to Forbes’ billionaires index.
The sharp rise follows a ruling that reversed a lower court decision which had struck down part of Musk’s landmark 2018 compensation package. Those stock options, originally designed to reward Musk for hitting ambitious performance targets at Tesla, have ballooned in value alongside the company’s share price.
The court’s decision restores a major portion of Musk’s long-delayed pay and cements his position as the wealthiest individual in history, far ahead of other global billionaires. The reinstated options significantly expanded Musk’s stake in Tesla, where his wealth is most heavily concentrated.
The ruling ends a prolonged legal battle over executive compensation that had become a flashpoint for corporate governance debates. Critics had argued the package was excessive, while Musk and Tesla’s board maintained it reflected the scale of value he created by transforming the automaker into one of the world’s most valuable companies.
With the options restored, Musk’s fortune now dwarfs that of other tech titans, driven not only by Tesla but also by his holdings in SpaceX and other ventures. The decision marks a pivotal moment for Musk personally and reinforces the outsized financial rewards tied to his leadership across multiple industries.
