Buzz
Despite what many believe, Elon Musk wasn’t the original founder of Tesla Motors: that honor belongs to Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning in 2003. However, Musk made a significant investment in the company's first fundraising round the following year, which earned him a spot as board chair, later becoming the CEO in 2008.
These days, Musk’s wealth might be his most recognizable trait. In 2020, his net worth was $24.6 billion, placing him 31st on Forbes’s billionaire list. By 2021, he had surged to second place with $151 billion, just behind Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, who held the top spot at $177 billion.
Although Musk recently sold almost $6 billion in Tesla shares, his net worth remains colossal—so vast that it’s almost impossible to comprehend, much like the great distance between Earth and the Sun that’s hard to fully imagine.
To help make Musk’s astronomical earnings more tangible, UK-based car leasing firm Select Car Leasing has created a practical (though somewhat sobering) calculator. When you visit the page, you’ll instantly see the number on Musk’s earnings ticker rapidly rising, showing you exactly how much he’s making while you browse.
Curious how long it takes him to earn what you make in a year—or even your entire net worth? Just scroll to the bottom of the page, enter your yearly salary or estimated worth, and prepare for a response that’s sure to stir some emotions—whether it's awe, frustration, or a mix of both.
