Musk and Bezos in rivalry

Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin have ignited a fierce battle for space dominance, creating what many call the "billionaire space race." Let's dive into the key moments of their rivalry and how it all began.

The Early Encounters

In 2020, SpaceX marked a significant milestone with its first manned spaceflight. Not to be outdone, Blue Origin, led by Jeff Bezos himself, achieved the same feat in 2021. These achievements set the stage for a long-standing competition.

The Birth of a Rivalry

It all started back in 2004 when Elon Musk invited Jeff Bezos to tour SpaceX. However, tensions arose when Musk didn't receive a reciprocal invitation to tour Blue Origin's factory, as revealed in Walter Isaacson's recent biography of Musk.

A Dinner to Remember

In response to Musk's pointed email, Bezos extended an invitation of his own. The two billionaires, along with their then-wives MacKenzie Scott and Justine Musk, shared a dinner. Reports suggest that the dinner had its share of awkward moments, including Musk offering unsolicited advice to Bezos, though the specifics remain undisclosed.

The Ongoing Rivalry

Over the past 18 years, Musk and Bezos have clashed repeatedly over their space ambitions. They've engaged in public spats, briefly held the title of the world's richest individuals, and disagreed on crucial matters within the space industry.

Current Wealth Rankings

As of the latest data from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Musk is now the world's richest person, boasting a staggering net worth of $242 billion. His wealth is primarily derived from SpaceX and Tesla. In contrast, Bezos, with a net worth of $165 billion, holds the title of the world's third-wealthiest individual, mainly due to his holdings in Amazon.

Public Swipes and Controversies

Throughout their rivalry, Musk and Bezos have had their share of headline-worthy moments. Musk's cheeky "Jeff who?" response to Bezos' congratulations on SpaceX's 2015 achievement made waves. The 2021 NASA moon mission contract further fueled tensions, with Musk taunting Bezos and encouraging him to focus on Blue Origin for more progress.