Elon Musk's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Elon Musk.

Elon Musk is a prominent businessman and entrepreneur, recognized globally for his leadership roles in companies like Tesla, SpaceX, X, and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He has held the position of the world's wealthiest individual since 2021, with Forbes estimating his net worth at US$424.7 billion as of May 2025.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2002: PayPal Acquired by eBay

In 2002, PayPal was acquired by eBay for $1.5 billion in stock, with Elon Musk receiving $175.8 million as the largest shareholder.

2008: Received George Low Transportation Award

In 2008, Elon Musk received the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics George Low Transportation Award for his contributions to the development of the Falcon rockets.

2008: Successful Falcon 1 Launch and NASA Contract

In 2008, SpaceX succeeded in launching the Falcon 1 into orbit and received a $1.6 billion NASA contract for Falcon 9-launched Dragon spacecraft flights.

2008: Tesla Roadster Delivery

In 2008, Tesla began delivery of the Roadster, its first mass production all-electric car.

2010: Received Gold Space Medal

In 2010, Elon Musk was awarded the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Gold Space Medal.

2010: Tesla's Initial Public Offering

In 2010, Tesla had its Initial Public Offering, after which the company's stock rose significantly.

2010: Named One of Time's Most Influential People

In 2010, Time listed Elon Musk as one of the most influential people in the world.

2011: Space Shuttle Retirement

In 2011, the Space Shuttle retired, and SpaceX began to replace it.

2012: Received Royal Aeronautical Society Gold Medal

In 2012, Elon Musk received the Royal Aeronautical Society Gold Medal.

2012: Dragon Docks with ISS

In 2012, the Dragon vehicle docked with the ISS, marking a first for a commercial spacecraft.

2013: SolarCity Ranks Second in the US

By 2013, SolarCity had grown to become the second-largest provider of solar power systems in the United States.

2013: Named One of Time's Most Influential People

In 2013, Time listed Elon Musk as one of the most influential people in the world.

2015: Received Honorary Doctorate from Yale University

In 2015, Elon Musk received an honorary doctorate in engineering and technology from Yale University and an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Honorary Membership.

2015: Successful Landing of Falcon 9 First Stage

In 2015, SpaceX successfully landed the first stage of a Falcon 9 on a land platform.

2017: Completion of SolarCity's Factory Construction

In 2017, the construction of SolarCity's advanced production facility in Buffalo, New York, was completed after starting in 2014.

2018: Elected Fellow of the Royal Society

In 2018, Elon Musk was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).

2018: Named One of Time's Most Influential People

In 2018, Time listed Elon Musk as one of the most influential people in the world.

2018: Debut of the Los Angeles Tunnel

In 2018, the Los Angeles tunnel, less than two miles in length, debuted to journalists. It used Tesla Model Xs and was reported to be a rough ride at suboptimal speeds.

May 2019: Deployment of Starlink Constellation

In May 2019, the first large constellation of Starlink satellites was deployed.

2020: First Crewed Flight by SpaceX

In 2020, SpaceX launched its first crewed flight, the Demo-2, becoming the first private company to place astronauts into orbit and dock a crewed spacecraft with the ISS.

2020: Tesla Becomes Most Valuable Carmaker

In the summer of 2020, Tesla became the most valuable carmaker, and it entered the S&P 500 later that year.

October 2021: Tesla Reaches $1 Trillion Market Cap

In October 2021, Tesla reached a market capitalization of $1 trillion, becoming the sixth company in U.S. history to achieve this milestone.

2021: Wealthiest Person in the World

In 2021, Elon Musk became the wealthiest person in the world.

2021: Named Time's Person of the Year and One of the Most Influential People

In 2021, Elon Musk was selected as Time's "Person of the Year" and was listed as one of the most influential people in the world by Time.

2021: Completion of Las Vegas Convention Center Tunnel

In early 2021, the Boring Company completed a tunnel beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center. Local officials approved further expansions of the tunnel system.

October 27, 2022: Elon Musk Buys Twitter

On October 27, 2022, Elon Musk bought Twitter for approximately $44 billion, after backtracking on his initial decision.

2022: Elected to the National Academy of Engineering

In 2022, Elon Musk was elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

2022: Neuralink Announces Clinical Trials

In 2022, Neuralink announced that clinical trials would begin by the end of the year.

February 2023: Jury Finds Musk Not Liable in Tesla Tweet Lawsuit

In February 2023, a jury found Elon Musk and Tesla not liable in a shareholder lawsuit over a 2018 tweet about taking Tesla private.

September 2023: FDA Approves Neuralink Human Trials

In September 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Neuralink to initiate six-year human trials.

2024: NASA Contract to Deorbit ISS

In 2024, NASA awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to deorbit the ISS at the end of its lifespan.

May 2025: Operational Starlink Satellites

As of May 2025, over 7,600 Starlink satellites are operational, comprising 65% of all operational Earth satellites.

September 2025: Musk Remains World's Wealthiest Person

As of September 2025, Elon Musk is the wealthiest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of US$384 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, and $415.6 billion according to Forbes.