Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind Tesla, SpaceX, and artificial intelligence startup xAI, has achieved an unprecedented milestone by becoming the first person in history to amass a net worth exceeding $500 billion. This remarkable feat was reported by Forbes’ billionaires index, which noted that Musk’s wealth briefly touched $500.1 billion on Wednesday afternoon, New York time, before settling slightly below the threshold later in the day. Musk’s financial ascent is largely attributed to the soaring valuations of his ventures, particularly Tesla, where he holds a significant 12% stake. Tesla’s shares have surged by over 14% this year, buoyed by investor optimism as Musk shifts his focus back to his companies rather than political engagements. His recent purchase of $1 billion worth of Tesla shares further underscored his confidence in the company’s future. Despite facing stiff competition from rivals like China’s BYD and navigating challenges in the electric vehicle market, Tesla is also pivoting towards artificial intelligence and robotics, signaling a transformative phase for the company. Musk’s wealth eclipses that of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, the world’s second-richest person, whose fortune stands at approximately $350.7 billion. This achievement solidifies Musk’s dominance in the global tech sector and underscores his unparalleled influence in shaping the future of technology and innovation.