At 53 years old, Elon Musk continues to redefine the future of global technology

How old will Elon Musk be in 2025? At 53 years old, the South African-born entrepreneur has been shaping transformations that impact billions of people for just over five decades. But his journey goes far beyond simple biography — it is the story of how a single individual managed to dominate five completely different sectors: mobility, energy, space exploration, artificial intelligence, and internet infrastructure.

From Silicon Valley to the multi-billion dollar empire

When Musk arrived in the US in the 1990s, Silicon Valley was buzzing with opportunities. His first company, Zip2, solved a specific problem: providing digital maps for newspapers in the pre-Google era. In 1999, the sale to Compaq earned him US$ 307 million, establishing him as a millionaire at 28.

The next step was even bolder. He founded X.com, a fintech that evolved into PayPal and revolutionized online transactions. When eBay acquired it for US$ 1.5 billion in 2002, Musk left with US$ 180 million — seed capital that would create his most disruptive ventures.

Tesla: more than cars, a reimagined industry

Tesla is not just an electric vehicle manufacturer. Under Musk’s leadership, it became a global reference in batteries, solar panels, energy storage, and automotive technology. Autopilot — its assisted driving solution — keeps the company at the forefront of autonomous mobility.

Its impact? It forced traditional giants like Volkswagen, BYD, GM, and Stellantis to accelerate electrification investments. In Brazil, influence extends to lithium suppliers and component manufacturers. Today, Tesla moves billions in market capitalization with statements Musk posts on X.

SpaceX: privatizing the impossible

Founded in 2002, SpaceX challenged the aerospace industry historically dominated by governments. It developed reusable rockets that reduced costs by up to 90% and signed billion-dollar contracts with NASA and the Space Force.

Starlink — its satellite internet division — already operates in over 70 countries, including Brazil, providing connectivity to remote regions. Valued at over US$ 200 billion, SpaceX is North America’s most valuable private startup and an essential platform for defense and global geopolitics.

xAI, Neuralink, and The Boring Company: the innovative trio

While tech giants like Google and OpenAI dominate AI, Musk launched xAI in 2023 with a different mission: “to understand reality.” The Grok chatbot gained explosive traction in 2024–2025.

Neuralink aims to create brain-machine interfaces for patients with motor disabilities, opening unprecedented ethical and scientific frontiers.

The Boring Company, seemingly eccentric, solves urban congestion through smart tunnels — projects already underway in the US.

Wealth in motion: US$ 350 billion and growing

At 53 years old, Elon Musk has accumulated wealth exceeding US$ 350 billion, distributed among Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, xAI, and smaller holdings. His wealth fluctuates billions as Tesla’s stock varies — sometimes within hours.

Market influence: five impact fronts

Mobility and energy: Every move by Tesla reverberates in battery manufacturers’ stocks and litigation.

Artificial intelligence: Direct competition with Microsoft, Meta, Google, and OpenAI.

Geopolitical defense: Starlink has become critical infrastructure in military conflicts.

Cryptocurrencies: Tweets he posts about Bitcoin and Dogecoin have caused fluctuations of up to 30%.

Space industry: SpaceX has driven an irreversible private race.

Controversies and unfiltered presence

At 53, Elon Musk has built an image of a “taboo-free” businessman. On X (formerly Twitter), he criticizes government policies, comments on cryptocurrencies that move markets, and engages in public disputes with competitors. His political stance — from support for Javier Milei to closeness with Donald Trump — fuels polarized narratives.

Why investors should follow Elon Musk

Understanding Elon Musk at 53 means understanding the technological and economic transformations of the next 10 years. His companies do not just compete — they redefine entire sectors. For investors, journalists, and economists, following him is not an option but a strategic necessity.