A Bitpush article on June 16 said that after SpaceX completed the largest IPO in history, Elon Musk’s personal net worth surpassed $1 trillion, making him the world’s first trillionaire. Related reporting by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reveals multiple controversies accompanying the growth of his wealth: in an interview, Musk publicly said he does not support 14 of his children automatically inheriting control rights or shares in his companies.
The Wall Street Journal: Musk’s Wealth Figures and Work Style Description
The WSJ’s estimates show that since Musk started his business in 1995, up to now he has accumulated about $992 per second on average. Musk’s personal net worth exceeds the annual GDP of roughly 125 countries worldwide, accounting for about 3% of the U.S. GDP (WSJ estimate).
Musk has repeatedly said in public that he follows an “Extremely Hardcore” work culture. According to reports, after acquiring Twitter, his working hours increased from about 80 hours per week previously to more than 120 hours. During Tesla’s toughest period, Musk is said to have treated the factory as his main residence, sleeping under the desk of his office in the middle of the workshop.
2018 Thailand Cave Rescue Incident: Background of a Defamation Lawsuit
During the 2018 Thai “Sleeping Beauty Cave” youth soccer team rescue, Musk brought a small submarine made by SpaceX to support the operation. British rescue worker Vernon Unsworth publicly criticized it as a “PR show,” and Musk later on Twitter called him a “pedo guy.” Unsworth filed a defamation lawsuit over this, and Musk was ultimately found not guilty. This incident is a verified record of publicly documented historical events.
Controversies in Musk Family Management: The Ashley St. Clair Case and NDA Terms
WSJ’s investigative report in 2025 disclosed that Jared Birchall, the chief of Musk’s family office, handled agreements with several children’s mothers. Taking the case of conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair (the mother of Musk’s 13th child) as an example: WSJ reported that Birchall acted on Musk’s behalf in the negotiations, and the agreement included a one-time payment plus monthly support, but the conditions included a non-disclosure agreement and a ban on publishing negative comments.
After St. Clair declined, the monthly support reported to be agreed dropped from $100,000 to a final $20,000. The above details all come from WSJ reporting, and Musk’s side has not provided a complete public response.
Vivian Jenna Wilson’s situation has been confirmed publicly through court documents. In the documents, she stated that she did not want any contact with Musk and told the media that the two “haven’t spoken in nearly five years.” Musk continues to refer to his child who has changed gender in public as “son Xavier.”
FAQ
Where did Musk say he would not give his children inheritance shares?
According to WSJ reporting, Musk said he does not support his children automatically inheriting control rights or shares in his companies during an interview with The Wall Street Journal CEO Council Summit on the eve of the SpaceX IPO. He also said that passing the company on to children who have no interest or ability to manage it is “a huge mistake.”
How is the scale of layoffs after the Twitter acquisition confirmed?
Multiple reports confirm that after Musk completed the Twitter acquisition for $44 billion in 2022, within roughly six months he cut the workforce from 7,500 employees to about 1,500, with layoffs of roughly 80%. Musk then sent a company-wide email titled “A Fork in the Road,” asking employees to choose between two options.
What legal confirmation documents exist for Vivian Jenna Wilson’s gender change?
In 2022, Vivian Jenna Wilson applied for and was approved in U.S. court to change her name and gender. The relevant court documents are public records. In the documents, she clearly stated that she did not want to establish any form of relationship with Musk, and later, during media interviews, she confirmed that the two have had no contact for a long time.
