This Thursday, the world was up for a big surprise. Elon Musk, multi-business mogul and CEO of Tesla Inc. and SpaceX Technologies was declared the richest man in the world, surpassing Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon. While Bezos has been the richest person several times and was speculated to be the first trillionaire by 2026, it’s the first time for Musk. He was the second richest person a few months ago with a net worth of $128 billion.
Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, was the richest person for a long time until Bezos took over in 2017. Gates did top one again for a while, only to step back. The demand for Amazon services increased during the pandemic, which boosted Bezos’ net worth to around $184 billion.
Elon Musk’s Wealth and Assets
Elon Musk’s net worth as on January 7 is $185 billion. His company SpaceX, is aiming to reform space travel; and it currently values at $46 billion. He also owns about a fifth of Tesla’s shares. Musk’s overall wealth rose greatly in 2020, with another 15% of increase in Tesla’s shares in the first week of 2021, currently valued at about $800 per share.
Apart from his stakes in the two companies, Musk is also involved in projects like Hyperloop transportation technology. It involves using reduced pressure tubes where pressurised capsules can be used to travel by induction motors and air compressors. Following are his other ventures:
- Neuralink, a neurotechnology startup which aims to combine human intelligence with artificial intelligence. Initially focused on technological implants for the brain, the vision is to enhance human abilities by improving memory and more direct engagement with technology.
- SolarCity, a company founded by Musk’s cousins in 2006 but conceptualised and funded by Musk, was taken over by Tesla in 2016 and converted into its solar division. The aim is to combine solar technology with its electric car batteries. SolarCity is already one of the biggest providers of solar power systems in the States.
- The Boring Company, which primarily deals in constructing tunnels, was founded in 2016. It has also played a role in building a tunnel for Hyperloop test project. Musk and his company SpaceX own the stakes to it, which means the company is also a part of SpaceX projects.
Musk’s Family
Musk met his first wife, author Justine Wilson when they were students at the Queen’s University in Ontario. They got married in 2000. After losing their first child Nevada Alexander Musk, they bore twins Griffin and Xavier in 2004 and triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian in 2006. Musk and Justine separated in 2008. They jointly share the custody of all five sons.
In 2008 Musk began to date actress Talulah Riley who he married in 2010 and divorced in 2012. They remarried a year later, but in 2014, Musk filed for divorce, later revoking it. In 2016, Riley filed for divorce which was approved. The couple had no children.
Since 2018 Musk is in a relationship with popstar Grimes. The couple gave birth to a son X Æ A-XII Musk in May 2020. The name was inspired by an album of Grimes. They currently live in Texas.
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