Elon Musk’s Net Worth Hits $750 Billion After Landmark Delaware Court Ruling

Delaware Court’s Ruling Reshapes Wealth Rankings

In a decision that has upended the global billionaire rankings, the Delaware Supreme Court reinstated Elon Musk’s historic 2018 Tesla compensation plan, instantly boosting his net worth to an astonishing $750 billion. As reported by CelebrityNetWorth and WION, Musk’s fortune now outpaces the world’s second-richest person, Google co-founder Larry Page, by nearly $500 billion, making Musk the richest human being in recorded history.

• The court’s ruling ended a seven-year legal battle over Musk’s pay, originally approved by Tesla’s board as a radical, performance-based package in 2018.
• The plan granted Musk stock options—no salary, no bonuses—tied to twelve escalating milestones for Tesla’s market value, revenue, and profitability.
• At the time, Tesla was worth just $50 billion, with the package’s highest hurdle requiring a $650 billion market cap—a target that seemed far-fetched in 2018.

A Compensation Plan That Redefined Executive Pay

Musk’s 2018 Tesla pay plan was described as a “moonshot” even by Wall Street standards. No guaranteed salary, no bonuses: the only way Musk could benefit was if Tesla achieved ambitious growth targets. These targets, ranging from operational to market capitalization milestones, were so aggressive that many doubted their achievability.

But Musk and Tesla surpassed all expectations. By 2021, every single milestone in the package was met. The company’s transformation was so dramatic that Musk’s compensation package became the largest in corporate history. On paper, he was set to receive tens of millions of Tesla shares at a deep discount, propelling his net worth into uncharted territory.

Legal Hurdles and the Delaware Backlash

In January 2024, the celebration turned to crisis. Delaware Chancery Court Judge Kathaleen St. J. McCormick ruled the entire pay plan void, citing flaws in board governance, conflicts of interest, and incomplete information provided to shareholders. The unprecedented ruling froze Musk’s options and slashed his net worth by over $100 billion virtually overnight, according to CelebrityNetWorth.

Musk responded with public criticism of Delaware’s courts, accusing the state of being unfriendly to innovators. Tesla, SpaceX, and other Musk-led companies swiftly moved their legal incorporation to Texas, while Delaware lawmakers scrambled to reform corporate statutes to stem an exodus of major companies.

The Supreme Court Reversal: Musk’s Fortune Rebounds

After nearly two years of appeals, the Delaware Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision this week, reversing the lower court’s rescission. While acknowledging Tesla’s board had conflicts, the justices ruled that completely canceling Musk’s compensation was excessive. They concluded Musk deserved payment for the years he led Tesla to unprecedented growth, rewarding shareholders handsomely in the process.

• The ruling reinstated Musk’s 2018 stock options, valued at about $139 billion after taxes and strike prices.
• His net worth leapt from $650 billion to $750 billion overnight, according to WION.
• Forbes’ billionaire index now places Musk nearly three times ahead of the next richest person globally.

For context, Musk’s net worth now exceeds the GDP of most countries, and is nearly three times that of the runner-up.

The Making of a Quarter-Trillionaire—and What Comes Next

Musk’s meteoric wealth isn’t just the product of Tesla. He co-founded seven companies, including SpaceX (valued at $800 billion, with Musk owning 42%), xAI, The Boring Company, and Neuralink. His 12% stake in Tesla alone represents an enormous share of the electric automaker, which he’s led since 2008.

SpaceX is reportedly planning a 2026 IPO at a possible $1.5 trillion valuation, and Tesla shareholders have already approved a new compensation plan tied to future milestones in AI, robotics, and autonomous vehicles. If these goals are met, Musk’s fortune could approach $1 trillion—ushering in the era of the trillionaire, a concept that once seemed reserved for science fiction.

Even with the legal rollercoaster and regulatory scrutiny, Musk’s ascent has been relentless. The Delaware case not only reshaped his personal fortune but also sent shockwaves through corporate America, as companies reconsider the risks and rewards of performance-based pay and state-level incorporation.

Is This the Peak, or Just the Beginning?

With a single court ruling, Elon Musk didn’t just reclaim his lost billions—he redefined the boundaries of personal wealth. The $750 billion figure isn’t just a headline; it’s a stark reminder of the scale at which modern tech entrepreneurs can operate. Whether this marks the pinnacle of Musk’s financial journey or merely a milestone on the way to $1 trillion, the world is watching with a mix of astonishment and concern.

The Delaware Supreme Court’s decision did more than restore Musk’s compensation—it crystallized the outsized influence of superstar CEOs and the sometimes volatile relationship between corporate governance and individual ambition. Musk’s path from contested pay to quarter-trillionaire status is a case study in risk, reward, and the shifting landscape of global business leadership.