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Elon Musk has officially crossed into trillionaire territory following SpaceX's blockbuster IPO.
On June 12, SpaceX went public at a valuation of roughly $1.77 trillion, pricing shares at $135 each. Musk's pre-IPO net worth was estimated at $813 billion, but his massive stake in SpaceX, alongside holdings in Tesla and other ventures, pushed him past the $1 trillion mark once trading began.
Musk owns about 4.8 billion shares of SpaceX plus 350 million stock options, giving him unprecedented wealth. Analysts note that his fortune now rivals the GDP of major nations, with only 19 countries surpassing the trillion-dollar threshold.
The IPO also created fortunes for thousands of SpaceX employees. Reports suggest more than 4,400 workers could become millionaires as shares begin trading. Early employees like Trevor Hise, who joined in 2011, now hold stakes worth tens of millions.
Investor interest has been intense. Brokerage firms such as Oppenheimer have already set price targets above the IPO level, predicting shares could rise to $190. Retail investors are also eager, with individuals like Peta Cooper in the UK saying they plan to hold SpaceX stock long-term despite expected volatility.
Still, some economists warn the valuation is risky. "It's a huge roll of the dice," said Sinead O'Sullivan, noting that so much of the company's future is tied to Musk's leadership. SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell acknowledged the decision to go public came after pressure from everyday Americans wanting to invest, but emphasized the company's long-term vision over quarterly results.
Musk retains near-total control of SpaceX through special voting rights, holding more than 80% of voting power. This governance structure has raised concerns among analysts, but insiders argue no one else could run the company.
The IPO also signals a broader trend in tech. SpaceX's acquisition of Musk's AI startup xAI earlier this year positions it alongside other AI giants preparing to go public, including OpenAI and Anthropic. Together, these offerings are expected to dominate the 2026 IPO landscape.
