As of December 2025, Elon Musk's net worth has reached an estimated $677 billion, according to Forbes. This surge in wealth is largely attributed to the anticipated IPO of his space exploration company, SpaceX, which is expected to be valued at $800 billion. Musk's approximately 42% stake in SpaceX would increase his wealth by an estimated $168 billion. This makes Musk the wealthiest person in the world, and the first person to ever cross the $600 billion mark. Some analysts predict that Musk could become the world's first trillionaire.

While Musk's wealth is unprecedented in modern times, it's worth examining how his fortune compares to the richest people in history, adjusted for inflation and economic output. It's important to note that comparing wealth across centuries is challenging due to differences in economic systems, currency values, and available data.

Here are some of the individuals often cited as the wealthiest in history:

• Mansa Musa (1280-1337): The 9th ruler of the Mali Empire, Mansa Musa, is often considered the wealthiest person of all time. His kingdom was a major producer of gold during a time when gold was highly valued. Estimates of his wealth vary, with some suggesting it could have been higher than $400 billion.

• Augustus Caesar (63 BC - 14 AD): The first Roman Emperor, Augustus Caesar, controlled a vast empire that accounted for a significant portion of the world's economic output. His personal wealth was once estimated to be equivalent to one-fifth of his empire's economy, which would translate to roughly $4.6 trillion in 2014.

• John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937): Often considered the richest American of all time, Rockefeller amassed his fortune through Standard Oil, controlling about 90% of American oil production at its peak. His wealth was estimated at around $340 billion in today's dollars.

• Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919): Another titan of American industry, Carnegie made his fortune in the steel industry. When he sold his company, U.S. Steel, in 1901, the sum was equivalent to about $372 billion in 2014.

• Mir Osman Ali Khan (1886-1967): The last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, was once considered the richest man in the world. His wealth, derived from diamond mines and a private treasury, was estimated at around $230 billion in today's terms.

Other historical figures often mentioned among the wealthiest include Genghis Khan, Emperor Shenzong, Akbar I, and Jakob Fugger.

While Elon Musk's current wealth places him among the richest individuals in history, comparing his fortune to those of past rulers and industrialists requires careful consideration of historical context and economic factors. His continued success with Tesla, SpaceX, and his ventures into artificial intelligence could potentially solidify his place as the wealthiest individual in modern history.