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Antonio Gracias | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1970 (age 55–56) |
| Education | Georgetown University (BSFS, MSFS),University of Chicago (JD) |
| Occupation | Private equity investor |
| Years active | 1995 to present |
| Known for | Founding of Valor Equity Partners which has invested in Elon Musk's companies |
| Board member of | Tesla, Inc. (2007-2021) SpaceX |
| Spouse | Sabrina Kuhl Gracias |
| Children | 3 |
| Website | www |
Antonio Gracias is anAmerican billionairebusinessman who foundedValor Equity Partners. He has been on the board of directors for several companies in which Valor has invested, includingTesla, Inc. andSpaceX.[1]
A longtime ally ofElon Musk, Gracias has received media attention for his participation in theDepartment of Government Efficiency.[1]Forbes estimates his net worth at US$2.2 billion as of April 2025.[2]
Gracias was born inDetroit, Michigan and grew up inGrand Rapids. He attendedGeorgetown University where he pursued a joint degree program in theWalsh School of Foreign Service, graduating with a BSFS and MSFS with a concentration in international economics in 1993.[1][2][3]
He also studied abroad atWaseda University in Tokyo, Japan, later returning to that city for a fellowship withNikko Securities. He later attended theUniversity of Chicago Law School, graduating with a JD in 1998.[3][2][4]
As of 2025[update], Gracias is a member of the board of advisors for theWalsh School of Foreign Service atGeorgetown University, as well as theUniversity of Chicago board of trustees.[5][4]
While in law school, Gracias founded MG Capital, a private equity firm whose core team formed the basis for the founding of Valor Equity Partners in 1995. In addition to Tesla and SpaceX, Valor's portfolio companies includeAnduril Industries,Neuralink,Reddit,Eight Sleep, andZipline (drone delivery company).[6]
Valor often invests in companies led or funded by Elon Musk.[7]
In May 2025, Gracias and British hedge fund billionaire Christopher Hohn led a $50 million Series B funding round to take control ofLykos Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company developingMDMA-assisted psychotherapy treatments.[8] The acquisition followed theFood and Drug Administration's rejection of Lykos's application for MDMA therapy approval earlier in 2025.[8]
Gracias had previously donated $1 million to theMultidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) in 2020 and $16 million to psychedelics research atHarvard University in 2023.[8] According to MAPS founder Rick Doblin, Gracias's involvement with Lykos began after a conversation atBurning Man festival where Gracias advised on the company's future following the FDA rejection.[8]
In thesecond presidency of Donald Trump, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been led by Elon Musk since its establishment byexecutive order onInauguration Day. Following earlier part time involvement with DOGE, in March 2025, Gracias took on a role at theSocial Security Administration to focus on DOGE cost-cutting efforts in theSocial Security program.[1]
During his tenure at DOGE, Gracias led a taskforce that involved accessing immigration data at theDepartment of Homeland Security and appeared alongside Musk making claims about immigrants and public benefits.[8] He also promoted conspiracy theories about Democrats attempting to "import voters" during media appearances.[8]
Gracias's work at DOGE while simultaneously managing Valor Equity Partners drew criticism from labor organizations, including theAFL-CIO, which questioned potential conflicts of interest given that Valor manages retirement plans for public employees.[8] Flight records showed Valor's private jet made 23 trips from the Washington DC region between January and April 2025, suggesting significant time spent on government work.[8] In late July, theAmerican Federation of Teachers sent letters to nine public pension funds asking them to review investments with Valor worth approximately $1.8 billion.[8]
Gracias announced his resignation from DOGE on July 4, 2025, though he continued working until July 2025.[8][9][10]
Gracias has maintained a close personal and business relationship with Elon Musk spanning more than two decades. He was an early investor in Tesla through Valor Equity Partners and served on Tesla's board from 2007 to 2021. He continues to serve on the SpaceX board and is an investor in Neuralink.[8]
The two men have taken multiple personal and family vacations together, including trips to magicianDavid Copperfield's private island in the Bahamas, and Gracias was a groomsman at the wedding of Musk's brother Kimbal.[8] During Musk's acquisition ofTwitter in 2022, Gracias served as an enforcer and proxy, communicating Musk's directives to staff.[8] Valor Equity Partners has reportedly been in talks with lenders to raise $12 billion for Musk's xAI artificial intelligence company.[8]
Gracias contributed $1 million to Musk's America PAC effort to re-elect Trump in 2024.[8] During the first half of 2025, Gracias donated $1 million toMAGA Inc., asuper PAC that supportsDonald Trump.[11]
Gracias has been a significant donor to psychedelics research and advocacy organizations. In 2020, he donated $1 million to theMultidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), and in 2023 contributed $16 million to psychedelics research atHarvard University.[8] He is part of a broader movement among Silicon Valley investors interested in the therapeutic and commercial potential of psychedelic drugs.[8]
Ethics experts have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest stemming from Gracias's simultaneous roles in government and private business. His acquisition of Lykos Therapeutics while serving in DOGE, which has embedded staff in the FDA, has drawn scrutiny from government watchdog groups.[8] TheProject on Government Oversight andCitizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington have questioned whether former DOGE members should be seeking regulatory approval for companies they control.[8]