Elon Musk

PayPal sale creates fortune

eBay acquired PayPal for $1.5 billion, earning Musk $180 million from his stake. This windfall provided the capital to fund his ambitious ventures in space and electric vehicles.

SpaceX and Tesla near bankruptcy

Both companies faced existential crises during the financial crisis, with Musk investing his last dollars. NASA's $1.6 billion contract with SpaceX saved both companies from collapse.

SpaceX Dragon docks with ISS

The first commercial spacecraft to reach the ISS validated Musk's vision for private spaceflight. This milestone established SpaceX as a legitimate aerospace company.

Tesla Model 3 production breakthrough

The Model 3 brought electric vehicles to the mass market, making Tesla profitable. Musk's net worth soared as Tesla's stock price began its meteoric rise.

World's richest person milestone

Musk became the world's wealthiest person as Tesla's market cap exceeded $1 trillion. His companies were reshaping multiple industries simultaneously.

Twitter acquisition for $44 billion

Musk's controversial purchase of Twitter (rebranded to X) dominated headlines and sparked debates about free speech. The acquisition temporarily reduced his net worth but expanded his influence.

Political influence and government role

Musk's growing political involvement and advisory role in government expanded his influence beyond business. His companies continued to dominate their respective industries while he shaped policy discussions.

Wealthiest person in history

Musk's net worth of $852 billion makes him the wealthiest person ever, far exceeding any historical figure adjusted for inflation. He remains a dominant global force in technology, space, AI, and social media, wielding unprecedented influence across multiple sectors.