Elon Musk recently achieved what once seemed pure fantasy. His net worth soared to $500 billion for the first time. For context, back in March 2020, Musk’s fortune was just $24.6 billion. Now, he is a frontrunner in the billionaire race, leaving his competitors trailing far behind.

The meteoric rise in Musk’s wealth has been powered by surging Tesla stock, which jumped by 4% on the record-setting day itself. Gains at SpaceX and rising momentum at his fledgling social platform, xAI, have also contributed to his increased fortune. It is worth noting that a commanding 12% stake in Tesla and 42% in SpaceX remain under Musk’s direct control, which is hardly a matter of luck.

With evident enthusiasm, Forbes projects that Musk could become the world’s first trillionaire by March 2033 if this pace continues. For comparison, his closest rival, Larry Ellison, lags behind by nearly $150 billion, a difference akin to a marathon runner outpacing a casual tourist.

It is impossible to ignore Musk’s deft use of his public persona. A former Trump administration official, he once rattled corporate markets and has since soared to new heights. The Tesla chief continues to demonstrate his rare ability to navigate the markets like a seasoned professional and a showman.