Billionaire innovator Elon Musk currently ranks among the wealthiest people in the world, but just how lucrative is he? According to reports, Musk’s estimated net worth stands at around $167 billion, and many are curious to know exactly how much the Tesla CEO and SpaceX entrepreneur earns each day.
In August 2020, the Wall Street Journal estimated that Musk’s wealth was currently growing by nearly $8 million a day. That amounts to an average of roughly $37,500 per hour, or $33,000 per minute. But what exactly is the source of all this income? The answer has to do with his revolutionary companies.
Musk’s primary source of income, of course, is Tesla, whose success and popularity have made it an incredibly valuable company in recent years. Musk has a large stake in Tesla, which means his overall wealth is directly linked to the company’s success. As Tesla’s stock price has increased in 2021, so have Musk’s earnings.
But Musk’s income doesn’t just come from his investment in Tesla. In fact, he has also created enormous wealth by doing something most people would never even consider: personally taking out very large personal loans. Specifically, in 2018 and 2019, Musk took out two personal loans of $61.3 million each, at an 11% interest rate. This means that, each day, Musk earns around $650,000 in interest alone.
Additionally, Musk earns money from SpaceX, his rocket and spacecraft designer and manufacturer. SpaceX has earned a reputation of being one of the most successful and innovative companies in the aerospace industry and its success has been reflected in its stock prices, meaning Musk makes money when SpaceX’s stock prices rise. For example, when SpaceX went public in December 2020, Musk’s personal stake in the company was estimated to have increased by $5 billion.
Analysts also suggest that Musk has entered into private investment partnerships with venture capital firms. This has been especially lucrative for Musk, as the returns on such investments are often significantly higher than stock investments. Finally, Musk is also earning money from sponsorships for his Tesla vehicles.
Intellectual Ventures
When it comes to earning money, Elon Musk relies on more than just his businesses. In addition to producing his own ideas and ventures, Musk engages in partnerships with other billionaires to make investments. According to reports, he has a major stake in intellectual ventures, which is a private equity fund backed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. This fund is currently worth over a billion dollars, meaning Musk stands to make a sizeable profit from his investment.
Additionally, Musk has also entered into private investment partnerships with venture capital firms. This has been especially lucrative for Musk, as the returns on such investments are often significantly higher than stock investments. By leveraging the financial influence of these firms, Musk is able to access deals and investments that the average investor simply cannot.
Musk has also taken a personal interest in artificial intelligence research, investing millions in start-ups over the years. Recently, he invested in a new firm called Vicarious which is working on the development of computer algorithms to mimic human thought. This particular investment has the potential to be extremely lucrative for the tech entrepreneur, should the start-up’s research prove to be successful.
Finally, Musk also earns money through sponsorships. He is the face of several brands, including Microsoft, Apple and Samsung. These companies pay Musk to promote their products on television and social media, as well as at events and conferences. It is estimated that each year he earns around $30 million from these partnerships.
Real Estate
A lesser-known source of income for Musk comes from real estate. Over the years, Musk has been investing in property around the world. He has been buying and selling homes in multiple countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Reports suggest that Musk has bought and sold over 50 homes in the past decade and his investments in property have been estimated to be worth a total of $100 million.
In addition to buying and selling homes, Musk also invests heavily in commercial real estate. He owns several high-end properties in and around Los Angeles and is said to have spent in excess of $100 million on real estate investments this year alone.
Furthermore, Musk also owns a handful of luxury apartment complexes in California. The complexes are situated in prime locations and are highly sought-after, meaning they provide the tech entrepreneur with a steady stream of rental income.
Finally, Musk often invests in residential and commercial real estate for purely speculative purposes. He carefully monitors the housing and property markets, searching for properties that he believes will appreciate significantly over time. Musk hopes that these investments will prove to be incredibly lucrative in the future and will generate him a considerable amount of income.
Philanthropic Projects
Musk is also involved in several philanthropic efforts, donating large sums of money to charities and foundations. In 2018, Musk announced the creation of his own foundation, the Musk Foundation, which supports causes related to renewable energy and health. The foundation has provided funding to various research projects and initiatives, with a particular focus on providing clean drinking water to those in developing countries.
Additionally, Musk has been involved in the development of the SunLight-PV Solar Weather Balloon, an invention aimed at improving access to solar energy by providing an renewable source of electricity in remote and rural areas. The project has been funded by the Musk Foundation, demonstrating Musk’s commitment to aiding those less fortunate.
Musk has also donated substantial sums of money to educational and healthcare organisations. In 2013, Musk pledged $6 million to the Lyndon B Johnson Medical Center in Austin, Texas, in order to support the hospital’s cutting-edge medical research. This is just one of many examples of Musk’s generous philanthropy.
Musk has been donating to charities and foundations for many years and his commitment to making the world a better place is evident. In fact, in 2020, Musk was ranked one of the world’s 15 most generous philanthropists, having donated over $257 million to various charitable causes.
Taxes
One thing that most people don’t realise when considering Elon Musk’s wealth is that he has to pay taxes on it. In 2018, Musk reportedly paid $68 million in taxes on his personal wealth, while in 2019, he paid nearly $200 million in taxes.
The majority of Musk’s income is taxed at a rate of 39.6%. This rate applies to single filers who make more than $500,000 per year. Additionally, Musk is subject to the 3.8% Medicare surtax, as well as other state and local taxes. In total, Musk’s total effective tax rate is estimated to be around 46%.
However, not all of Musk’s income is subject to such high taxes. For example, income from investments in stocks and other securities is taxed at a much lower rate of 15%. Additionally, income from real estate investments is generally taxed at a rate of only 20%.
Finally, it is important to note that Musk has access to several exclusive tax breaks and incentives, such as the Qualified Small Business Stock tax break which can reduce the amount of taxable income significantly. By taking advantage of such tax credits, Musk is able to minimize his overall tax burden and keep more of his wealth.
Risks and Future Outlook
Elon Musk’s wealth and income are highly dependent on the success of his businesses, and it is important to consider the potential risks associated with his investments. For example, an unexpected drop in Tesla’s stock could lead to losses of millions for Musk. Additionally, plans for SpaceX’s ventures could be derailed by technical issues or delays, resulting in a loss of money.
Furthermore, the future outlook for Musk’s investments is uncertain. Many analysts fear that Tesla’s stock could crash, and SpaceX’s plans could be postponed or cancelled. Of course, there is also the risk that Musk’s investments may fail completely. This could result in a massive loss of money for Musk, and could potentially put his wealth at risk.
That being said, Musk is generally optimistic about the future of his investments. He is confident that Tesla’s stock will continue to rise, and that SpaceX’s ventures will be a success. In fact, Musk even predicted recently that one day SpaceX will be on the same level as Apple or Google. If this prediction comes true, Musk’s wealth could easily surpass even his current estimated net worth.
Public Perception
Public perception of Musk is generally positive, as many admire his pioneering spirit and dedication to technological innovation. In addition, his vast wealth and resulting charitable donations have made him a popular figure amongst the public. As such, Musk is often seen as a benevolent billionaire, and his success is an inspiration to many.
However, there are some people who are critical of Musk’s wealth and the way he has accumulated it. These critics often accuse him of engaging in unethical practices, such as insider trading or taking advantage of government tax breaks. They also point to his numerous legal disputes as evidence that he may be taking advantage of his position.
Despite such criticism, it is undeniable that Musk has used his wealth to improve the world. His investments in renewable energy, healthcare and charitable causes have been valuable contributions to society. Moreover, his revolutionary innovations in transportation and space exploration have earned him the admiration of the public.
Conclusion
Elon Musk is one of the wealthiest individuals in the world and is constantly making money from a variety of sources. The majority of his income comes from his investments in Tesla and SpaceX, as well as from his involvement in venture capital and philanthropic projects. Additionally, Musk also earns from real estate investments, sponsorships and private equity funds. Despite occasionally facing criticism, the public generally admires Musk for his dedication to technological innovation and his commitment to making the world a better place.
