Are we in the age of trillionaires? episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 27, 2025 · 13 MIN

Are we in the age of trillionaires?

from What in the World · host BBC World Service

Elon Musk could be about to become the world’s first trillionaire. That’s after a record-breaking pay package - that could be worth nearly $1tn (£760bn) - was approved by Tesla shareholders. The electric car boss is already the world's richest man, but this would take his wealth to a whole new level. But who is Elon Musk and how did he make all this money? We explain all, as well as breaking down what a trillion dollars actually is. Plus, we hear from two special guests about what they would do with a trillion dollars.But not everyone thinks trillionaires are a good thing. Billie Eilish has been vocal about this. She recently called for billionaires to give their money away. And then there’s charities, like Oxfam, who point to rising global inequality. BBC reporter Nathalie Jimenez joins us to crunch the numbers, and explain all sides of the arguments for, and against, trillionaires. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, Chelsea Coates and Emily Horler Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

Elon Musk could be about to become the world’s first trillionaire. That’s after a record-breaking pay package - that could be worth nearly $1tn (£760bn) - was approved by Tesla shareholders. The electric car boss is already the world's richest man, but this would take his wealth to a whole new level. But who is Elon Musk and how did he make all this money? We explain all, as well as breaking down what a trillion dollars actually is. Plus, we hear from two special guests about what they would do with a trillion dollars.But not everyone thinks trillionaires are a good thing. Billie Eilish has been vocal about this. She recently called for billionaires to give their money away. And then there’s charities, like Oxfam, who point to rising global inequality. BBC reporter Nathalie Jimenez joins us to crunch the numbers, and explain all sides of the arguments for, and against, trillionaires. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, Chelsea Coates and Emily Horler Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde

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Are we in the age of trillionaires?

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This episode was published on November 27, 2025.

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Elon Musk could be about to become the world’s first trillionaire. That’s after a record-breaking pay package - that could be worth nearly $1tn (£760bn) - was approved by Tesla shareholders. The electric car boss is already the world's richest man,...

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