Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday became the world’s first individual to achieve a net worth of nearly $500 billion, driven by a rally in Tesla shares and soaring valuations of his other ventures. According to Forbes’ billionaires index, Musk’s wealth touched $500.1 billion as of 4:15 p.m. ET. The billionaire holds a 12.4% stake in Tesla as of Sept. 15, with the electric vehicle maker’s stock clim

Elon Musk’s net worth overtook Mansa Musa’s with $433 billion as of January 2025.

“The Two Richest Men in History: A Comparison of Elon Musk and Mansa Musa’s Wealth”

Elon Musk’s net worth overtook Mansa Musa’s with $433 billion as of January 2025.

In the annals of history wealth has often been a measure of influence and power. Two figures stand out in this regard. Mansa Musa the 14th century emperor of the Mali Empire and Elon Musk the contemporary entrepreneur behind companies like Tesla and SpaceX. While Musk’s net worth soared to unprecedented heights in recent years surpassing $400 billion at its peak the legacy of Mansa Musa’s wealth remains unparalleled.

Elon Musk’s Financial Ascendancy

Elon Musk’s journey to becoming the world’s richest individual is a testament to innovation and strategic entrepreneurship. His ventures span electric vehicles space exploration artificial intelligence and social media. By early 2025 Musk’s net worth had reached approximately $433 billion making him the first person in modern times to surpass the $400 billion mark. This immense wealth primarily stemmed from his significant holdings in Tesla which accounted for 58.3% of his fortune and SpaceX contributing 26.6%. Additionally his AI startup xAI founded in 2023 was valued at $50 billion by late 2024 further bolstering his financial standing. However the volatile nature of the stock market and Musk’s political engagements led to fluctuations in his net worth. By March 2025 a significant decline in Tesla’s stock value partly due to Musk’s involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency resulted in his net worth dropping to approximately $330 billion.

Mansa Musa The Golden Emperor

Centuries before Musk’s rise Mansa Musa ruled the Mali Empire from 1312 to 1337. His reign is often cited as the epitome of wealth and prosperity. The Mali Empire’s vast reserves of gold and control over critical trade routes in West Africa were the primary sources of Musa’s wealth. Mansa Musa’s 1324 pilgrimage to Mecca is legendary. He traveled with a caravan reportedly comprising tens of thousands of people including soldiers civilians and slaves all adorned in fine attire. The emperor’s generosity was evident as he distributed gold along his journey particularly in Cairo where his lavish spending reportedly caused inflation affecting the local economy for years. Estimating Mansa Musa’s wealth in today’s terms is challenging due to the lack of precise records and the vast differences in economic structures between the 14th century and now. However some modern assessments suggest his net worth was around $400 billion making him arguably the richest individual in history.

Comparing the Titans of Wealth

While both Musk and Mansa Musa achieved extraordinary wealth their sources and impacts differ significantly. Musk’s fortune is tied to technological advancements and publicly traded companies making it susceptible to market dynamics. In contrast Mansa Musa’s wealth was derived from tangible natural resources such as gold and salt and his empire’s strategic position in global trade routes. Moreover Musa’s wealth had profound cultural and educational impacts. He invested in building mosques universities, and libraries notably in Timbuktu transforming it into a center of learning and culture. These contributions have left a lasting legacy influencing West African culture and education for centuries.

The Ephemeral Nature of Wealth

The stories of Musk and Mansa Musa highlight the transient nature of wealth. Musk’s net worth experienced a significant decline in early 2025 dropping by over $100 billion due to a sharp tumble in Tesla’s stock. Despite this, he remained the wealthiest individual globally underscoring the volatility inherent in modern financial markets. In contrast while Mansa Musa’s wealth was immense, it was also finite. After his death the Mali Empire faced internal strife and external pressures leading to its eventual decline. This underscores that even vast fortunes are subject to the ebbs and flows of time and circumstance.

Legacy Beyond Wealth

Beyond their monetary riches both figures have left indelible marks on history. Mansa Musa’s investments in education and infrastructure fostered a golden age in West Africa, the effects of which are still recognized today. Elon Musk’s ventures aim to revolutionize transportation space exploration and artificial intelligence with the potential to shape the future of humanity. While Musk’s net worth briefly surpassed the estimated wealth of Mansa Musa the latter’s impact on culture education and global trade remains unparalleled. Their stories serve as reminders that while wealth can be quantified its true value lies in how it is utilized to influence and improve society. The tales of Mansa Musa and Elon Musk illustrate that wealth whether in the form of gold or stocks, is fleeting. However the legacies built through the application of that wealth be it in advancing human knowledge or exploring new frontiers endure through the ages.