Elon Musk Becomes First Person in History to Lose $200 Billion

Elon Musk owns around 25% of Tesla through stock and options, but has pledged more than half of his shares as security for loans.
By Dhirendra Kumar
Updated May 28, 2025
Elon Musk

Elon Musk, the billionaire and CEO of Twitter, Tesla, and SpaceX, has become the first person in human history to lose $200 billion from his net worth, as per The New York Post. Never before has a person lost this much fortune.

According to The New York Post, the decline in his net worth has been attributed to a 66% drop in Tesla shares over the past year.

Tesla

The steep drop in the prices of Tesla’s shares is linked to Elon Musk’s diversion from the firm owing to the Twitter saga, as well as supply-chain constraints in China exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Elon Musk’s Wealth Decline

According to Forbes’ real-time billionaires list, Elon Musk’s current net worth is $136.9 billion and ranks second. He owns around 25% of Tesla through stock and options, but has pledged more than half of his shares as security for loans.

After Musk declared a 9.1% ownership stake and threatened a hostile takeover, Twitter’s board decided to sell the company to Musk for $44 billion in April 2022.

Later, Musk tried to back out, but Twitter sued him. The acquisition was finalised in October 2022. Musk currently owns about 74% of the company.

On November 4, 2021, Elon’s fortune peaked at $340 billion, and he remained the world’s richest person until this month, when he was surpassed by Bernard Arnault, the French entrepreneur behind luxury goods giant LVMH.

Also read: Crypto Twitter: Tweets From 2022 That Didn’t Age Well 

Musk has no substantial assets left following a 65% drop in Tesla shares in 2022 and a $44 billion acquisition of Twitter.

Following these revelations, Tesla has announced a price reduction in several of its models, including a $7,500 discount on the Model 3 and Model Y.

Musk, on the other hand, has rejected Tesla’s concerns and has regularly turned to Twitter to blame the Federal Reserve for increasing interest rates.

Also Read: Top Crypto Coins To Buy In January 2023 For 10X Returns

Advertisement
Dhirendra Kumar
Dhirendra is a writer, producer, and journalist who has worked in the media industry for more than 3 years. A technology enthusiast, a curious person who loves to research and know about things. When he is not working, you can find him reading and understanding the world through the lens of the Internet.
Why trust CoinGape: CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.