Elon Musk in 2025: trajectory, wealth, and the companies transforming the world

How old is Elon Musk? This is just one of many questions surrounding the South African entrepreneur who has redefined global innovation. At 53 years old (born in 1971), Musk has established himself as a central figure in technology, energy, finance, and space exploration — simultaneously combining economic power, digital influence, and market-moving capacity with targeted statements.

From Silicon Valley to the empire: how it all began

Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Elon Reeve Musk grew up in an environment that valued mathematics and creativity. By age 12, he had already programmed and sold his first game, “Blastar.” His adolescence was marked by hardships — intense bullying, according to biographers — which shaped his characteristic resilience.

At 17, he moved to Canada and later to the United States, where he attended the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated in economics and physics, a combination that would explain his unique ability to connect business with science.

The first billions: Zip2, X.com, and PayPal

At the height of the internet boom, Musk founded Zip2 (1995), a pioneering platform in digital maps and directories for publications. Sold to Compaq in 1999 for US$ 307 million, it made him a millionaire at age 28.

Later, he created X.com (1999), a digital financial services startup that would evolve into PayPal. In 2002, the platform was acquired by eBay for US$ 1.5 billion, earning Musk approximately US$ 180 million — a crucial capital for his future ventures.

Musk’s empire: five pillars of global innovation

Tesla: the electric mobility revolution

Tesla transformed the automotive sector. Under Musk’s leadership, the company established itself as:

• A reference in premium electric vehicles — redefining industry standards
• A pioneer in battery technology — developing energy storage solutions
• Developer of Autopilot — an assisted driving system influencing the entire industry
• Creator of Gigafactories — automated factories setting new production paradigms

For Brazilian investors, Tesla’s movements directly impact BYD, Volkswagen, GM, and Stellantis — all with significant operations in the country.

SpaceX: the new era of space exploration

Founded in 2002, SpaceX challenged the government monopoly in the space sector. The company developed reusable rockets, enabling:

• Cost reductions of up to 90% in certain launches
• Billion-dollar contracts with NASA and the U.S. Space Force
• Ambition to send humans to Mars

Valued at over US$ 200 billion, SpaceX is the most valuable private company in the United States.

Starlink: global internet via satellite

A critical division of SpaceX, Starlink already operates in more than 70 countries, including Brazil, providing high-speed satellite connectivity — transforming digital accessibility in remote regions.

Neuralink, The Boring Company, and xAI

Neuralink works on brain-machine interfaces for patients with motor disabilities, aiming for ultimate integration between human cognition and artificial intelligence.

The Boring Company focuses on underground mobility, executing projects in the U.S. to mitigate urban congestion.

xAI, founded in 2023 with the mission of “understanding reality,” emerged as a direct competitor to Google and OpenAI, gaining significant traction with the chatbot Grok in 2024-2025.

Wealth and financial influence

In 2025, Elon Musk’s fortune exceeds US$ 350 billion, positioning him among the wealthiest individuals on the planet. His assets are distributed among:

• Holdings in Tesla
• Majority control of SpaceX
• Investments in Neuralink, The Boring Company, and xAI
• Potential future IPO of Starlink

Fluctuations in Tesla’s stock prices result in wealth variations of billions of dollars in a few hours — demonstrating the volatility of his wealth.

Impact on global markets

Musk exerts direct influence on five strategic sectors:

1. Mobility and energy: Affects stock prices of battery manufacturers, lithium producers, and renewable energy companies.

2. Technology and AI: Competes directly with Microsoft, Google, Meta, and OpenAI.

3. Geopolitics and defense: Starlink has become critical infrastructure in contemporary military conflicts.

4. Cryptocurrency markets: Public statements have already caused fluctuations of up to 30% in Bitcoin and Dogecoin.

5. Aerospace sector: SpaceX has initiated a genuine private space race, altering geopolitical dynamics.

Following Musk’s trajectory and positions is essential to understanding current economic, technological, and geopolitical trends.

Lesser-known aspects of the entrepreneur

• Slept on the Tesla factory floor to experience operational challenges
• Father of 10 children with different partners
• Enthusiast of science fiction and pop culture
• Declared aspiration: to die on Mars — “but not in the impact”
• Tried to acquire OpenAI before founding xAI

Conclusion: why Musk matters

Understanding who Elon Musk is — a 53-year-old entrepreneur who continues to redefine the future — goes beyond curiosity. It’s about understanding the vectors of global transformation. His companies redefine entire sectors and influence economic, technological, and political decisions worldwide. For investors, journalists, and innovation scholars, following Musk is following the future in the making.