Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has ignited a global conversation on wealth and wellbeing after declaring that money does not guarantee happiness.
Musk made the remark on Thursday via X, formerly Twitter, writing: “Whoever said ‘money can’t buy happiness’ really knew what they were talking about.”
The post quickly went viral, drawing more than 52.1 million views, about 57,000 reposts and over 363,000 likes, alongside thousands of comments at the time of filing this report. The comment sparked mixed reactions, with users debating the true value of wealth.
While some agreed with Musk, arguing that money does not shield people from emotional struggles or personal challenges, others countered that financial security significantly improves quality of life and access to opportunities.
The discussion resonated strongly in Nigeria, where social media users linked Musk’s comment to Afrobeat star Adekunle Gold’s 2021 hit song It Is What It Is. In the song, the singer echoes a similar sentiment, crooning: “Money no dey bring happiness oh / Na when I get money I realise oh.”
Musk did not provide further context for the post.
The tech billionaire, whose net worth has fluctuated sharply in recent years due to swings in Tesla’s share price, has frequently spoken about the pressures associated with extreme wealth and corporate leadership.
He has also remained in the spotlight for his growing influence in US politics and regulatory debates, as well as ongoing scrutiny of his companies, including Tesla, SpaceX and X.
On December 16, 2025, Musk became the first person to reach a net worth of $638 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which showed his wealth rose by 42.7 per cent from December 2024.
In October, Musk who also founded artificial intelligence firm xAI announced the launch of Grokipedia, an online encyclopedia, further expanding his footprint in the technology sector.
