Today, SpaceX broke an all-time record with the largest IPO in history. With 555.6 million shares priced at $135 each, Elon Musk’s space and AI business raised $75 billion—with more to come as shares trade for the first time today.
This morning, Musk stood behind a Nasdaq-branded podium in Starbase, Texas, and was projected via video into Nasdaq’s HQ. Actually in person at the exchange in New York, meanwhile, was SpaceX’s president and COO, Gwynne Shotwell.
It’s a characteristic division of duties at SpaceX, where Shotwell has been responsible for years for the company’s day-to-day operations, growth, and strategy for its workforce of 22,000 people (and is a steadier representative to Wall Street). She was SpaceX’s 11th employee, joining in 2002. At 62, she’s worked in the space business for almost 40 years. Just a few weeks ago, she ranked No. 32 on Fortune’s list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Business—a huge leap from No. 49 in 2025 as SpaceX approached this monster listing.
According to SpaceX’s IPO filing, Shotwell’s total compensation last year reached $85.8 million, mostly from options awards (her base salary was $1.08 million). SpaceX provides security for her home, and she’s the fifth-largest owner of Class A shares. While Musk is poised to become the world’s first trillionaire thanks to today’s IPO, Shotwell will also benefit mightily.
