Early Career and Zip2
Elon Musk first gained wealth by cofounding Zip2, a web software company. After its sale to Compaq in 1999, he earned a substantial payout that funded his next ventures.
X.com, PayPal, and Major Exits
Musk founded X.com, which merged with Confinity to become PayPal. When eBay acquired PayPal in 2002, he received a large share of the proceeds, which he reinvested into new companies.
Tesla, SpaceX, and Other Investments
Musk became the primary funder and CEO of Tesla, helping it grow into a leading electric vehicle maker. He also invested heavily in SpaceX, which secured government and commercial contracts. Additional earnings came from roles at Neuralink, The Boring Company, and strategic investments, as noted by Forbes.
