Elon Musk has become the first corporate leader in history to receive a compensation package valued at $1 trillion. Tesla Inc. confirmed on Thursday that its shareholders overwhelmingly approved the record-breaking payout during the company’s annual general meeting.
According to Bloomberg, more than 75% of votes cast were in favour of the unprecedented pay plan, following a weeks-long campaign by Tesla’s board, Musk, and prominent retail investors to build support.
The approval marks one of the most significant moments in corporate governance, a reflection of both investor confidence in Tesla’s long-term growth and Musk’s continued influence over the company’s strategic direction.
The compensation deal, originally structured as a performance-based package, is tied to Tesla’s market capitalisation and operational milestones. It positions Musk to receive tranches of stock options as Tesla maintains and expands its valuation benchmarks over time.
While the package has drawn criticism from corporate governance experts who argue it concentrates excessive power and wealth in a single executive, supporters say the reward aligns with Musk’s track record of transforming Tesla into one of the world’s most valuable companies.
In October, we reported that Musk’s personal fortune recently surpassed $500 billion, driven largely by his stakes in Tesla, SpaceX, and his artificial intelligence company xAI . His Tesla holdings alone are valued at nearly $200 billion, and the latest shareholder approval could see his net worth rise even further if the company continues its growth trajectory.
Musk has previously defended his compensation structures, stating that they are not primarily about personal gain but about maintaining influence over Tesla’s technological and ethical direction.
“It’s not about compensation, but about me having enough influence over Tesla to ensure safety if we build millions of robots,” Musk wrote on X in October 2025 .
The approval of the $1 trillion package is a milestone not only for Musk but also for the broader corporate world, as it sets a new benchmark for executive compensation and investor confidence.
Tesla’s market value remains close to record highs, bolstered by strong global demand for its electric vehicles and expansion into energy storage and AI sectors.
The company’s leadership said the newly approved compensation plan aims to secure Musk’s commitment through the next phase of Tesla’s growth and innovation.
