The recent SpaceX IPO at $135 per share has led to significant financial windfalls for various investors, notably Elon Musk, whose net worth surged alongside the company’s valuation.
SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, completed its initial public offering (IPO) on Thursday, pricing its shares at $135 each. This pricing implies a staggering market capitalization of approximately $1.8 trillion for the company. The IPO has had profound financial implications for its stakeholders, particularly Musk, who saw his net worth increase by $188 billion, bringing it to an estimated total of $982 billion, according to calculations by Forbes.
Should the share price of SpaceX rise to $138.50 when trading begins, Musk will achieve a historic milestone, becoming the first trillionaire in history. Alternatively, if Tesla’s stock rises from $399 to $424 per share while SpaceX holds steady at $135, Musk would also reach this landmark. Currently, Musk holds 4.8 billion shares of SpaceX, valued at $644 billion, along with 350 million stock options priced at $8.40 per share, which adds an additional $44 billion to his wealth.
Musk’s stake in SpaceX represents approximately 38% of the company, which is worth about $688 billion at the IPO price. Prior to the IPO, Forbes had estimated Musk’s 40% stake (from which dilution is factored) at around $500 billion, based on a previous valuation of SpaceX following its merger with xAI in February, which valued the combined entity at $1.25 trillion.
Beyond Musk, several other notable investors also benefited from the IPO. Among them are Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud of Saudi Arabia and Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter. The latest addition to the billionaire ranks is Bret Johnsen, SpaceX’s chief financial officer, whose stake in the company has pushed his net worth to an estimated $1.2 billion.
Notable Investor Profiles
1. **Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud**: With an estimated 0.28% stake in SpaceX valued at $5.1 billion, Prince Alwaleed has seen his net worth swell to $25.4 billion. Initially an investor in Twitter, he maintained his stake during Musk’s acquisition of the platform, which has since been renamed X.
2. **Luke Nosek**: A co-founder of PayPal, Nosek holds a 0.19% stake in SpaceX worth approximately $3.4 billion. His net worth has similarly risen owing to his long-standing association with SpaceX since 2008.
3. **Larry Ellison**: The Oracle co-founder has an estimated 0.15% stake in SpaceX valued at $2.7 billion. Ellison had previously invested $1 billion during Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, underscoring his belief in the potential of Musk’s ventures.
4. **Jack Dorsey**: Dorsey’s stake of 0.14% is valued at $2.6 billion, reflecting his continuing influence and financial success after his tenure at Twitter.
5. **Gwynne Shotwell**: As SpaceX’s president and chief operating officer, Shotwell’s 0.10% stake is worth $1.7 billion. Her role has been critical in managing the company’s operations while Musk juggles multiple ventures.
6. **Bret Johnsen**: The CFO’s stake of 0.07% translates to a net worth of $1.2 billion, marking him as one of the leading financial figures in the aerospace sector.
7. **Tom Mueller**: A key figure in SpaceX’s early development, Mueller holds a 0.06% stake worth $1.1 billion, showcasing the long-term benefits of early investment in innovative technology.
8. **Kimbal Musk**: Elon Musk’s brother has a smaller stake of 0.04%, valued at $760 million, alongside significant holdings in Tesla, contributing to his billionaire status.
9. **Steven Witkoff**: This real estate billionaire holds a 0.01% stake in SpaceX, worth approximately $270 million, a product of his previous investments in Musk’s ventures.
Historical Context and Future Implications
In February, SpaceX merged with Musk’s artificial intelligence and social media company, xAI Holdings, in a deal that valued SpaceX at $1 trillion. The merger took place shortly after the establishment of xAI in March 2025, which was also seen by critics as a bailout for Twitter, given the valuation placed on the social media platform at the time.
The IPO signifies not only a financial boom for its investors but also a pivotal moment for the aerospace sector, potentially reshaping the landscape of commercial space travel and technology investment. As SpaceX continues to innovate, the stakes for its investors, including Musk, are likely to grow, particularly with ambitious goals like establishing a permanent human presence on Mars.
The financial gains resulting from the IPO reflect broader trends in the tech industry where investments in innovative companies have yielded substantial returns. This marks an important chapter in the intersection of technology and finance, with SpaceX at the forefront.
