Yes—briefly, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires tracker: Elon Musk’s estimated net worth crossed $500 billion on October 1, 2025. By 5 p.m. Eastern that day, Forbes’ estimate had eased to $499.1 billion, Reuters reported. Neither figure meant Musk had $500 billion in cash; it was a time-specific estimate of his wealth, including company stakes and valuations.
When did Musk cross $500 billion?
The crossing occurred intraday on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, on Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires tracker, as reported by Reuters and The Guardian. Reuters reported that the Forbes estimate stood at $499.1 billion at 5 p.m. Eastern that day. The two figures describe different moments: a temporary crossing and a later snapshot, not a contradiction.
Was Musk worth $500 billion in cash?
No. The figure was an estimated net worth, not a cash balance or an amount immediately available to spend. Reuters described Musk’s Tesla stake as approximately 12% and cited rising reported valuations for SpaceX and xAI as factors behind the estimate. The value of a company stake can change as share prices or private-company valuations change; it is not the same as cash proceeds Musk could realize at that value.
Why did Forbes and Bloomberg report different figures?
They published separate estimates at different times. The Guardian’s October 2, 2025 report said Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index put Musk’s net worth at $470 billion, while also reporting Forbes’ temporary $500 billion crossing. The relevant comparison is:
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| Provider | Figure | Timing and context |
|---|---|---|
| Forbes Real-Time Billionaires tracker | $500 billion | Intraday crossing on October 1, 2025, as reported by Reuters and The Guardian. |
| Forbes Real-Time Billionaires tracker | $499.1 billion | 5 p.m. Eastern, October 1, 2025, as reported by Reuters. |
| Bloomberg Billionaires Index | $470 billion | October 2, 2025, as reported by The Guardian. |
The available reports do not establish exactly which model assumptions produced the gap, so the numbers should not be blended or treated as interchangeable. Each is best read as that provider’s estimate at its stated time, rather than as a definitive measurement of liquid wealth.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is $500 billion still Musk’s current net worth?
No. It was a historical milestone in October 2025, not a current estimate. In a June 12, 2026 release, Forbes said its estimate of Musk’s wealth had risen to $1.1 trillion after SpaceX began trading on Nasdaq. That later estimate should not be substituted for the 2025 crossing: it refers to a different date and a subsequent event.
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