Elon Musk is Tesla’s largest shareholder and CEO, currently holding roughly 13% of the company. But that number is about to move: in November 2025, Tesla shareholders approved a pay package worth up to $1 trillion over 10 years, structured entirely around performance milestones, that could grow Musk’s stake to around 25% if he delivers.
This is worth understanding in real terms rather than headline numbers, because the package isn’t free money — it requires Tesla to hit targets that are genuinely difficult, including a market capitalization of $8.5 trillion and selling a million humanoid robots.
Quick Facts
| Company | Tesla, Inc. |
|---|---|
| CEO & Largest Shareholder | Elon Musk |
| Current Musk Stake | ~13% |
| Potential Stake (If Pay Package Vests) | ~25% |
| Pay Package Value (Max) | Up to $1 trillion over 10 years |
| Shareholder Approval | November 2025, ~75% in favor |
| Founded | 2003 |
Ownership History
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Tesla founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning |
| 2004 | Elon Musk joins as chairman and lead investor, later becoming CEO in 2008 |
| 2010 | Tesla goes public on NASDAQ |
| 2018 | Musk receives an earlier landmark performance-based pay package, later challenged in court |
| 2024 | Delaware court voids Musk’s 2018 pay package following shareholder litigation, prompting Tesla to seek a new compensation structure |
| November 2025 | Shareholders approve a new pay package worth up to $1 trillion over 10 years, with roughly 75% voting in favor, tied to targets including an $8.5 trillion market cap and 1 million humanoid robots sold |
| 2026 | Musk’s current stake sits at roughly 13%, with the new package granting up to 424 million additional shares if milestones are met over time |
Key Ownership Highlights
- The $1 trillion figure is a maximum potential value, not guaranteed compensation — Musk receives no salary under the package, and every dollar depends on Tesla hitting extremely ambitious performance targets.
- If fully vested, the package would take Musk’s stake from roughly 13% to around 25%, a meaningful jump in his control over shareholder votes.
- This follows a 2024 Delaware court ruling that voided Musk’s earlier 2018 pay package after shareholder litigation, forcing Tesla’s board to design a new, court-defensible structure.
- The targets embedded in the package — including humanoid robot sales and a market cap nearly triple Tesla’s value at approval — reflect the company’s pivot toward positioning itself as an AI and robotics company, not just an automaker.
Related Ownership Profiles
For Tesla’s biggest global EV rival, see who owns BYD.
FAQ
How much of Tesla does Elon Musk own?
Roughly 13% as of the 2025 shareholder vote, with the potential to reach around 25% if his new performance-based pay package fully vests over the next decade.
Is Musk’s $1 trillion pay package guaranteed?
No. It’s entirely performance-based with no salary component, requiring Tesla to hit extremely ambitious milestones, including an $8.5 trillion market capitalization, before Musk receives the full value.
