In a striking revelation, managing the finances of the world’s leading asset could indeed make a person wealthy.
Zachary Kirkhorn, who resigned from his role as Tesla Inc’s chief financial officer on August 7th, managed to accumulate a net worth of US$590 million (approximately Rs. 4,380 crores) during his four-year tenure. The major portion of this wealth comes from the Tesla shares and options he received as payment for his services.
However, when comparing this wealth to that of Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk, it seems quite modest. With a net worth of US$230.6 billion (approximately Rs. 17 lakh crores), Musk holds the title of the richest person in the world according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Interestingly, Kirkhorn and other Tesla executives were not included in the massive pay package awarded to Musk by the Tesla board in 2018. This special package greatly boosted Musk’s financial standing, rocketing him to the top of the global wealth rankings.
Breaking down Kirkhorn’s earnings, he received options worth about US$550 million (approximately Rs. 4,073 crores) and a base salary of US$300,000 (approximately Rs. 2.22 crores) in 2022. He also got US$31,099 (around Rs. 23 lakhs) in previously accrued paid time off, which he used to purchase a Tesla.
But what’s next for Kirkhorn? The information about his future plans remains uncertain. A well-educated individual with degrees from both Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, Kirkhorn is in his late 30s and has worked at Tesla since 2010.
Known for his calm demeanor, he served as a balanced counterpart to the often colorful Musk during earnings calls. Before joining Tesla, Kirkhorn worked as an analyst at McKinsey & Co and interned at Microsoft Corp.
Kirkhorn’s journey paints a picture of a fruitful career in one of the world’s most successful companies, an inspiration to many.
