Introduction
If you’re wondering how many shares of Tesla does Elon own in 2025, you’re not alone. Elon Musk’s stake in Tesla remains one of the most closely watched metrics in the financial world. As the company’s CEO and largest individual shareholder, his ownership influences everything from investor confidence to corporate strategy. This article breaks down Musk’s current holdings, explores recent developments, and explains how his ownership compares to other major stakeholders.
Elon Musk’s Current Tesla Shareholdings
As of mid-2025, Elon Musk owns approximately 410.79 million shares of Tesla, which accounts for about 12.8% of the company’s total outstanding shares. This figure reflects a notable decline from earlier years, when Musk held over 20% of Tesla’s equity.
The reduction in his stake is largely due to significant share sales used to fund other ventures, including his acquisition of X (formerly Twitter), and investments in SpaceX and Neuralink.
Potential Impact of New Stock Awards
In early 2024, a Delaware court voided Musk’s 2018 compensation package, which had been valued at up to $56 billion. Musk is currently appealing the decision, and while speculation surrounds a new stock award, no formal package has been publicly confirmed as of Q3 2025.
Reports suggest that Tesla’s board may approve an interim award of 96 million shares, potentially worth $29 billion, contingent on Musk remaining CEO through 2027. If granted and vested, this would increase his total holdings to approximately 507 million shares, or 15.7% of Tesla’s outstanding shares. However, this remains speculative and should be treated as a potential scenario rather than a confirmed development.
Institutional and Retail Ownership Breakdown
While Musk is Tesla’s largest individual shareholder, institutional investors collectively hold a substantial portion of the company:
| Investor | Estimated Ownership (%) |
|---|---|
| Vanguard Group | ~7.8% |
| BlackRock | ~6.4% |
| State Street | ~3.5% |
Retail investors hold approximately 43% of Tesla’s shares, while institutional investors account for around 42.8%. Musk’s current stake places him at roughly 13%, though this may change depending on future awards or sales.
Common Questions About Musk’s Tesla Ownership
1. How many shares of Tesla does Elon own exactly? Estimates vary slightly, but most sources place his holdings between 410 million and 423 million shares as of Q2 2025.
2. Has Musk pledged any of his Tesla shares? Yes. Musk has pledged more than half of his Tesla shares as collateral for personal loans, a practice disclosed in regulatory filings.
3. How does ownership break down by investor type?
- Retail investors: ~43%
- Institutional investors: ~42.8%
- Elon Musk: ~13%
4. Does Musk’s voting power differ from his ownership percentage? Musk has expressed interest in increasing his voting control to 25%, though this would require changes to Tesla’s equity structure and board agreements. Currently, his voting power aligns closely with his ownership percentage.
Conclusion
So, how many shares of Tesla does Elon own in 2025? The answer is approximately 410 million shares, representing 12.8% of the company. While his stake has declined from earlier highs, Musk remains Tesla’s most influential shareholder. If new stock awards are approved, his holdings could rise significantly. For investors and analysts alike, tracking Musk’s ownership is essential to understanding Tesla’s leadership dynamics and long-term strategic direction.
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