In 2008, Elon Musk faced near financial ruin with SpaceX and Tesla on the brink of collapse. After a critical SpaceX launch succeeded, NASA awarded the company a $1.5 billion contract. Days later, Tesla secured crucial investor funding, transforming Musk's fortunes and laying the groundwork for his future empire.

Elon Musk has become one of the most influential, prolific and perplexing humans on Earth and most likely to become the world's first trillionaire if...

A stock debut for Musk’s aerospace firm should make him the first trillionaire, even as Tesla’s latest slide cut into his fortune.

At a time when concerns about inequality are high and public attitudes toward the ultra-wealthy have soured, Musk has managed to retain a loyal following despite his…