Elon Musk, a global billionaire, posted a heartfelt message saying "money can't buy happiness," despite owning enough wealth to establish colonies on Mars or to support former U.S. President Donald Trump without limit. Netizens flooded the comments with sympathy and sarcasm, amid studies showing that while increased income can boost happiness, there is a saturation point for the extremely wealthy.
Elon Musk, one of the world's top billionaires, posted on the X platform—which he acquired for $44 billion—stating, "Anyone who has ever said 'money can't buy happiness' truly understands what they mean," accompanied by a sad face emoji. The post quickly went viral, garnering over 66 million views in less than 24 hours.
Responses to Musk varied widely, ranging from suggestions to seek solace in religion or charity work to find peace of mind, to sharp criticism. A user named Charmane Harbert replied:
"But money has taken you far ahead of others... Have you ever worried about having a roof over your children's heads? The answer is 'no,' right? So stop frowning and start appreciating the good things in your life."
Currently, Musk's net worth stands at $668 billion (approximately 21.17 trillion baht). Last year, Tesla shareholders approved a performance-based CEO compensation package potentially worth up to $1 trillion. His business empire spans Tesla (electric vehicles), SpaceX (aerospace technology), and xAI (an artificial intelligence startup).
While some studies confirm that money can increase happiness, academics note that for the ultra-wealthy there is a limit. David Bartram, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Leicester, explains that the relationship between wealth and happiness experiences "diminishing returns." Once you reach millions, additional money no longer significantly impacts happiness levels.
Bartram advises that happiness for the ultra-wealthy often comes from feeling that they are doing good for the world or caring for others with compassion. "It's not nearly as complicated as building rockets," he said.
However, a 2021 study by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, led by Matthew Killingsworth, found that people's happiness and well-being generally increase with higher income—a finding that contrasts with Musk's current feelings.