Elon Musk names three people as the smartest businessmen he knows.© Copyright (C) new18.com. All Rights Reserved.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, widely regarded as one of the sharpest minds in business and technology, recently revealed who he considers the smartest people in the world – and his list includes some of the most influential figures in the tech industry. During a recent appearance on the podcast Verdict with Ted Cruz, Musk named Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Google co-founder Larry Page as the most intelligent individuals he has encountered. His remarks have drawn significant attention, especially given the complex and competitive history he shares with some of these figures.

Larry Ellison Tops Musk’s List

Musk spoke highly of Larry Ellison, calling him “one of the smartest people”. Responding to a question from Republican Senator Ted Cruz about which CEO he admires most or considers the smartest, Musk didn’t hesitate to praise Ellison’s strategic and business acumen. “Larry Ellison is very smart. I would say he is one of the smartest people,” Musk said during the podcast.

Musk’s connection with Ellison runs deep. Ellison served on Tesla’s board from 2018 to 2022, providing guidance during a critical growth phase for the electric vehicle company. The relationship extended beyond professional ties – Ellison reportedly contributed $1 billion to help Musk finance his high-stakes acquisition of Twitter (now X) in 2022. Furthermore, reports suggest that Ellison also facilitated Musk’s access to advanced Nvidia GPUs, which are being used to develop artificial intelligence technology.

Praise for Jeff Bezos Despite Rivalry

Musk also had kind words for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, despite a longstanding rivalry between their respective space exploration companies, SpaceX and Blue Origin. “Jeff Bezos has done many difficult and important things,” Musk said, acknowledging Bezos’ achievements in both e-commerce and space exploration.

The rivalry between SpaceX and Blue Origin has been intense, with both companies competing for dominance in the commercial space sector. However, Musk hinted that the tension may be easing. In January, he shared a humourous meme suggesting that the relationship between the two billionaires is improving.

Larry Page’s Intelligence

Musk also highlighted the intelligence of Google co-founder Larry Page, tying it directly to his track record of success. “To some extent, a smart person is someone who does smart things,” Musk said, crediting Page’s role in transforming Google into a global powerhouse. Musk and Page were known to be close friends at one point, with Page even hosting Musk at his home on several occasions. However, their relationship reportedly became strained over disagreements about the future of artificial intelligence, an area where both have strong and often opposing views.

A Pattern of Respect for Business Giants

Musk’s acknowledgment of Ellison, Bezos, and Page reflects a pattern of recognising those who have achieved groundbreaking success in business and technology. While his relationships with these figures have not always been smooth, Musk’s comments suggest that he values intelligence measured through real-world accomplishments.