Overview
- Equilar’s analysis released Monday reports Tesla directors have collectively amassed more than $3 billion from stock-based awards.
- Kimbal Musk has earned nearly $1 billion since 2004, Ira Ehrenpreis $869 million since 2007, and board chair Robyn Denholm $650 million since 2014.
- The board stopped issuing new director grants in 2020 and suspended director pay in 2021 to settle a shareholder lawsuit alleging excessive compensation.
- Between 2018 and 2020 the average director received about $12 million—roughly eight times Alphabet’s—with 2018–2024 averages still 2.5 times Meta’s as critics fault option-heavy packages.
- A Tesla spokesperson said the compensation is tied to stock performance, while a Dec. 9 filing shows Kimbal Musk sold $25.6 million in shares, donated stock, and still holds about 1.38 million shares.