Money can’t buy happiness, says Elon Musk

Elon Musk has sparked online debate after stating that wealth does not guarantee happiness, despite being the world’s richest individual.

Musk, who is the chief executive officer of Tesla, made the remark on Thursday via a post on X.

“Whoever said ‘money can’t buy happiness’ really knew what they were talking about,” Musk wrote.

As of the time of filing this report, the post had attracted more than 51 million views, about 56,000 reposts and thousands of comments, generating mixed reactions among users.

While some agreed that wealth does not shield individuals from emotional or personal challenges, others argued that money significantly improves quality of life and access to opportunities.

Musk did not provide further explanation or context for the comment.

The billionaire has previously spoken about the pressures associated with leadership, public scrutiny and managing multiple global companies.

In recent years, his net worth has fluctuated sharply, largely driven by movements in Tesla’s share price and broader market conditions.

Musk, who also leads SpaceX and other ventures, has remained in the public spotlight over his expanding influence in technology, business regulation and United States politics.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Musk became the first person in the world to reach a net worth of $638 billion on December 16, 2025. The index showed that his wealth increased by 42.7 per cent within one year from December 2024.

On October 28, Musk, who is also the founder of xAI, announced the launch of Grokipedia, an online encyclopedia linked to his artificial intelligence initiatives.

The latest comment has once again placed Musk at the centre of discussions about wealth, personal fulfilment and the limits of financial success.

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