Elon Musk

Elon Musk
Born	(1971-06-28) June 28, 1971 Pretoria, South Africa
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, business magnate
Years active	1995–present
Known for	Leadership roles at Tesla, SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

Elon Reeve Musk (; born June 28, 1971) is an entrepreneur recognized for his leadership roles at Tesla, SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Since 2021, Musk has held the title of the richest individual worldwide; as of 2025, his net worth is estimated by Forbes at .

Originating from an affluent family in Pretoria, South Africa, Musk relocated to Canada in 1989. He completed dual bachelor's degrees at the University of Pennsylvania in 1997 before moving to California to embark on business initiatives. In 1995, he co-established the software firm Zip2, which was sold in 1999. Subsequently, he co-founded the online payment company X.com, which later merged to become PayPal, purchased by eBay in 2002. That same year, Musk obtained U.S. citizenship.

In 2002, Musk launched the aerospace manufacturer SpaceX, taking on roles as CEO and chief engineer; the company broke new ground with reusable rocket technology and commercial space missions. He became an early investor in Tesla in 2004 and assumed the positions of CEO and product architect in 2008; under his guidance, Tesla has dominated the electric vehicle sector. In 2015, he co-founded OpenAI to promote advancements in artificial intelligence but departed due to strategic disagreements, later founding xAI during the AI surge. Musk acquired Twitter in 2022, implementing significant reforms and rebranding it as X in 2023. His other enterprises include the neurotechnology startup Neuralink (co-founded in 2016) and the tunneling firm the Boring Company (established in 2017).

As the largest contributor to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Musk endorses various far-right figures and movements globally. In early 2025, he briefly served as senior advisor to U.S. president Donald Trump and led DOGE before resigning following a public dispute with Trump; subsequently, he announced intentions to establish a political organization named the America Party.

Musk’s political engagements and remarks have rendered him a divisive persona, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been criticized for spreading unscientific claims, including misinformation about COVID-19 and conspiracy theories, along with endorsing antisemitic, racist, and transphobic statements. His takeover of Twitter generated controversy due to increases in hate speech and false information on the platform. His involvement during Trump's second administration attracted considerable public criticism, especially concerning DOGE's activities.

Early life

Elon Reeve Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa. He descends from British and Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. His mother, Maye (), is a Canadian-born model and dietitian who grew up in South Africa. His father, Errol Musk, is a South African electromechanical engineer with experience as a pilot, sailor, consultant, emerald trader, and property developer who partially owned a rental lodge within the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Elon’s maternal grandfather, Joshua N. Haldeman, was an American-born Canadian chiropractor, aviator, and political activist who relocated to South Africa in 1950. Haldeman’s far-right ideology and support for apartheid have been noted as influential on Elon.

Elon has a younger brother named Kimbal, a younger sister called Tosca, along with four paternal half-siblings. Raised within the Anglican tradition, Musk's family enjoyed financial prosperity during his early years. Although Errol Musk once claimed partial ownership of a Zambian emerald mine, he later clarified that he only received some emeralds from small mining operations. Errol was elected to Pretoria City Council representing the anti-apartheid Progressive Party; Elon and his siblings shared their father's anti-apartheid stance.

Following his parents’ divorce in 1979, Elon opted to live with his father because of access to an Encyclopaedia Britannica set and a computer. Their relationship later became distant. Elon recounted attending a strict wilderness school where bullying was encouraged; he endured a severe assault that required hospitalization. Errol denied having reprimanded him after this event.

A passionate reader from an early age, Elon credits works such as The Lord of the Rings, the Foundation saga, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as sources of inspiration. At ten years old, he taught himself programming using a VIC-20 manual and by age twelve sold his first video game titled Blastar for approximately $500.

Education

Elon Musk's early education included attendance at Waterkloof House Preparatory School and Bryanston High School, culminating in his graduation from Pretoria Boys High School. He demonstrated solid academic performance, achieving a score of 61 in Afrikaans and a B grade in advanced mathematics. Seeking to bypass South Africa's compulsory military service and to facilitate his move to the United States, Musk applied for Canadian citizenship through his mother, who was Canadian-born. During the citizenship application process, he briefly attended the University of Pretoria.

In June 1989, Musk relocated to Canada, where he connected with a second cousin residing in Saskatchewan, undertaking various roles including farm work and employment at a lumber mill. He began studies at Queen's University in 1990, before transferring two years later to the University of Pennsylvania, where by 1997 he earned dual degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in physics and a Bachelor of Science in economics from the Wharton School. While attending college, Musk financed tuition by organizing large social gatherings and devised a business concept for an e-book scanning service similar to Google Books.

In 1994, Musk completed internships at Silicon Valley startups including Pinnacle Research Institute, which specialized in electrolytic supercapacitors, and Rocket Science Games based in Palo Alto. Although accepted into Stanford University's graduate program in materials science in 1995, Musk chose not to enroll. Instead, he pursued ventures during the Dot-com boom period and applied unsuccessfully for a position at Netscape. Reports suggest that after declining Stanford admission, Musk lacked legal work authorization in the U.S., although he maintains that his student visa was eventually converted into an H-1B work visa.

Zip2

In 1995, Elon Musk, together with his brother Kimbal and Greg Kouri, established the web software firm Zip2, utilizing capital borrowed from Musk's father. Operating from a modest office in Palo Alto, the enterprise created an online city guide tailored for the newspaper publishing sector, featuring maps, directions, and business listings. The Musk siblings secured agreements with prominent newspapers such as The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune, and successfully persuaded the board to abandon plans for a merger with CitySearch. Despite Musk's ambition to become CEO, the board denied his appointment. In February 1999, Compaq purchased Zip2 for $307 million in cash, with Musk earning $22 million from his 7-percent ownership stake.

X.com and PayPal

In 1999, Musk co-founded X.com, an online platform offering financial services and email payment capabilities. As one of the earliest federally insured online banks, it attracted over 200,000 users shortly after its launch. However, investors considered Musk inexperienced and replaced him with Bill Harris, then CEO of Intuit, by the end of that year. To reduce competition, X.com merged in 2000 with Confinity, an online bank founded by Max Levchin and Peter Thiel, whose money-transfer service, PayPal, had gained greater popularity than X.com’s offerings.

Musk resumed the CEO position at the merged company but encountered disagreements over technological direction, leading to Thiel’s departure. Due to ongoing technical challenges and an unclear business strategy, Musk was removed as CEO in favor of Thiel later in 2000, though he stayed on as a board advisor. Under Thiel’s guidance, the company concentrated on PayPal’s services and rebranded itself as PayPal in 2001. In 2002, eBay acquired PayPal for $1.5 billion in stock; Musk, as the largest shareholder holding 11.72%, received $175.8 million. In 2017, Musk repurchased the X.com domain from PayPal for personal reasons.

SpaceX

In 2001, Musk became involved with the nonprofit Mars Society and investigated funding possibilities for a plant growth chamber designed for Mars habitation. After unsuccessful efforts to purchase Russian intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), he invested $100 million of his own capital to launch SpaceX in May 2002, taking on the roles of CEO and Chief Engineer.

SpaceX’s initial Falcon 1 launch in 2006 failed to achieve orbit but secured a NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services contract. Two subsequent unsuccessful launches nearly led to Musk’s financial ruin before Falcon 1 succeeded in 2008. Later that year, SpaceX was awarded a $1.6 billion NASA contract for Falcon 9-launched Dragon missions to the International Space Station (ISS), intended to replace the retired Space Shuttle fleet. In 2012, Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to dock with the ISS.

Focusing on rocket reusability, SpaceX achieved a milestone by landing a Falcon 9 first stage on solid ground in 2015, followed by successful landings on autonomous drone ships. The maiden flight of Falcon Heavy in 2018 carried Musk's Tesla Roadster as a demonstration payload. Since 2019, SpaceX has been developing the reusable Starship, which aims to supersede both Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy vehicles.

In 2020, SpaceX conducted its inaugural crewed mission Demo-2, becoming the first private company to launch astronauts into orbit and dock with the ISS. In 2024, NASA awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to manage the deorbiting of the ISS at the conclusion of its mission.

Starlink

SpaceX initiated the development of the Starlink network of low Earth orbit satellites in 2015, aiming to deliver satellite Internet access. Following prototype launches in 2018, the company deployed the initial large-scale constellation in May 2019. As of now, more than 7,600 Starlink satellites are active, accounting for approximately 65% of all operational satellites orbiting Earth. In 2020, SpaceX projected the total investment for this decade-long endeavor to be around $10 billion. The firm secured close to $900 million in subsidies from the Federal Communications Commission to enhance broadband connectivity in rural regions.

Amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Elon Musk provided Ukraine with complimentary Starlink internet service, resulting in an estimated annual expense of $400 million for SpaceX. Although requested by government officials, Musk opted not to restrict Russian state media access via Starlink. In 2023, Musk declined Ukraine’s appeal to activate Starlink coverage over Crimea to support a naval operation, citing concerns over potential nuclear escalation.

Tesla

Tesla, Inc. was established in July 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Elon Musk joined as the primary investor in 2004, contributing $6.35 million and becoming the largest shareholder as well as chairman. While Musk had a significant influence on early product designs, he was not initially involved in daily management. Following internal disputes and the financial crisis of 2008, Eberhard was removed from his position, and Musk assumed the roles of CEO and product architect that same year. A settlement reached in 2009 officially acknowledged Musk as a co-founder alongside Tarpenning and others.

The Roadster, launched by Tesla in 2008, was the first widely produced all-electric vehicle powered by lithium-ion batteries, with approximately 2,500 units sold. Under Musk’s direction, Tesla expanded its product range to include the Model S sedan (2012), Model X SUV (2015), Model 3 affordable sedan (2017), Model Y crossover (2020), and Cybertruck pickup truck (2023).

In May 2020, Musk stepped down as chairman following a settlement with the SEC concerning tweets about taking Tesla private.

Tesla has built several lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle production facilities known as Gigafactories. Since its initial public offering in 2010, Tesla’s stock price surged dramatically, elevating it to become the most valuable automaker by mid-2020, and it was subsequently included in the S&P 500 index later that year. In October of 2021, Tesla achieved a market capitalization exceeding $1 trillion, becoming only the sixth American company to reach this milestone.

SolarCity and Tesla Energy

Elon Musk originated the concept and provided the initial funding for SolarCity, which was established by his cousins Lyndon and Peter Rive in 2006. By 2013, SolarCity had become the second-largest provider of solar power systems in the United States. In 2014, Musk championed the creation of a cutting-edge manufacturing plant in Buffalo, New York, designed to be three times larger than the biggest solar facility in the country. Construction on this plant started in 2014 and concluded in 2017, operating as a collaboration with Panasonic until early 2020.

In 2016, Tesla purchased SolarCity for $2 billion, integrating it with Tesla’s battery division to form Tesla Energy. Following the acquisition announcement, Tesla's stock price fell by over 10%, amid concerns about SolarCity’s financial difficulties. Shareholders filed lawsuits claiming that the transaction primarily advantaged Musk at Tesla’s detriment. In January 2020, Tesla’s board members reached settlements, leaving Musk as the only defendant. Ultimately, in 2022, the court ruled in Musk’s favor, dismissing all shareholder allegations.

Neuralink

Musk co-founded Neuralink in 2016 with an initial capital injection of $100 million. The company focuses on neurotechnology with the goal of linking the human brain to artificial intelligence through implantable devices designed to improve memory and facilitate direct interaction with software. Neuralink also aims to develop treatments for neurological disorders such as spinal cord injuries. By 2022, Neuralink announced intentions to commence clinical trials by year-end. In September 2023, the Food and Drug Administration granted approval for Neuralink to begin six-year human trials.

Neuralink has performed animal testing on macaque monkeys at the University of California, Davis. In 2021, it released footage showing a macaque controlling Pong using a Neuralink implant. The company’s animal experiments, which have led to some monkey fatalities, have drawn accusations of animal cruelty and breaches of the Animal Welfare Act of 1966. Employees have reported that Musk’s demand for rapid progress resulted in failed experiments and avoidable animal deaths. A federal investigation into potential animal welfare violations at Neuralink was initiated in 2022.

The Boring Company

Established by Musk in 2017, The Boring Company concentrates on tunnel construction and developing underground transportation vehicles designed to carry many passengers at speeds up to , aiming to alleviate urban surface traffic congestion. Early that year, it constructed a wide and long test tunnel at SpaceX’s facilities without obtaining permits. The Los Angeles tunnel project, measuring just under two miles, opened in 2018 utilizing Tesla Model X cars but was criticized for its rough ride quality at lower speeds.

Plans for tunnels in Chicago and West Los Angeles were ultimately canceled. Nevertheless, a tunnel beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center was completed by early 2021, with local authorities approving additional expansions. The company has also introduced novel payment methods, including accepting Dogecoin as payment for rides.

X Corp.

At the beginning of 2017, Elon Musk voiced concerns about Twitter's dedication to free speech and showed interest in purchasing the platform. By 2022, he had acquired a 9.2% ownership stake, making him the largest individual shareholder. After a delay in regulatory filings, Musk consented to join Twitter's board with a maximum ownership limit of 14.9%. Soon after, he initiated a $43 billion hostile takeover proposal, which was finalized by late April 2022 through financing that included $12.5 billion in loans and $21 billion in equity. The acquisition was completed on October 27, 2022.

Following the purchase, Musk dismissed key executives, including then-CEO Parag Agrawal, and took on the CEO position himself. Under his direction, Twitter launched an $8 monthly subscription service for account verification and conducted extensive workforce reductions. The platform's content moderation standards were loosened, resulting in a rise in hate speech incidents. In late 2022, Musk disclosed internal documents revealing Twitter’s moderation decisions during the 2020 U.S. presidential election. After conducting a user poll, he committed to stepping down as CEO and transitioned to roles as executive chairman and chief technology officer in May 2023.

Although Musk stepped down from the CEO role, X Corp. continues to grapple with challenges related to viral misinformation, hate speech, and controversies involving antisemitism. Musk has been accused of suppressing dissent by removing blue checkmarks—a practice viewed by critics as shadow banning—and suspending accounts without transparent reasons.

Hyperloop

In August 2013, Musk introduced plans for a vactrain system connecting Greater Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, with an estimated cost of $6 billion. Later that year, he revealed the concept named the Hyperloop, designed to offer more affordable long-distance travel compared to existing transportation options.

OpenAI and xAI

In December 2015, Musk co-established OpenAI, a nonprofit artificial intelligence research organization dedicated to creating safe artificial general intelligence. Although he pledged $1 billion, his actual contribution totaled $50 million. Musk departed from OpenAI’s board in 2018. Since then, OpenAI has made significant advances in machine learning technologies. In July 2023, Musk founded xAI, an AI enterprise developing generative AI models intended to compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT. This company is financed by investors affiliated with SpaceX and Tesla and staffed by engineers formerly employed at Google and OpenAI.

Private jet

Musk utilizes a private jet owned by Falcon Landing LLC, a company linked to SpaceX, and acquired an additional aircraft in August 2020. His frequent use of these jets and associated fossil fuel consumption have attracted criticism. Social media accounts such as ElonJet track his flight activities. In December 2022, Musk banned the ElonJet Twitter account and temporarily suspended several journalists’ accounts—including those from The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and The Intercept—who reported on this event.

Politics

Among business executives, Musk is notable for his active partisan political engagement. Previously registered as an independent voter in California, he has contributed financially to both Democratic and Republican candidates, often focusing on states where his companies operate. Since 2022, his donations have largely favored Republicans, starting with support for Mayra Flores in the 2022 Texas's 34th congressional district special election. During 2024, Musk expanded his backing to international far-right parties and causes while sharing far-right misinformation and conspiracy theories on social media platforms. His political stance since 2024 is generally characterized as right-wing.

Musk endorsed Barack Obama during the 2008 US presidential election and 2012 United States presidential election, supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 United States presidential election, backed Joe Biden in the 2020 United States presidential election, and endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 United States presidential election. In the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, he supported Andrew Yang and advocated for universal basic income; he also endorsed Kanye West's 2020 presidential bid. He opposed the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act in 2021 and declared support for Republican candidates by 2022, contributing over $50 million to conservative initiatives including Citizens for Sanity. In 2023, Musk donated $10 million to Republican Ron DeSantis’s campaign for the 2024 U.S. presidential race and hosted DeSantis’s campaign launch event on Twitter Spaces. Between mid-2023 and early 2024, Musk facilitated bipartisan X Spaces sessions featuring Republican and Democratic candidates such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Vivek Ramaswamy, and Dean Phillips.

By early 2024, Musk emerged as a prominent financial backer of Donald Trump. Following an assassination attempt on Trump in July of that year, Musk publicly endorsed him for president once again. Throughout Trump’s campaign, Musk appeared at rallies alongside him while promoting conspiracy theories and false claims related to Democrats, election integrity issues, and immigration policies that aligned with Trump’s platform. He became the largest individual donor during the 2024 election cycle. In early 2025, Musk contributed $19 million toward a Wisconsin Supreme Court race aimed at influencing redistricting processes and regulations impacting automobile manufacturers.

Musk’s political involvement internationally has drawn criticism from European governments including those of France, Germany, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom due to his influence within the U.S. government sphere and ownership of X Corp. An NBC News investigation found that since 2023 he has supported far-right movements advocating reduced immigration controls and deregulation across at least eighteen countries spanning six continents.

Gesture at Trump's Second Inauguration

During his address following the second inauguration of Donald Trump, Musk performed a gesture that many interpreted as resembling a Nazi or fascist Roman salute. He first placed his right hand over his heart with fingers splayed, then raised his right arm upward with the palm facing down and fingers together, repeating this motion toward the audience. He ended by stating, "My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured."

This action faced harsh criticism in Germany,<ref> where such salutes are prohibited under Strafgesetzbuch section 86a.<ref> Although the Anti-Defamation League denied it was a Nazi salute,<ref> several Jewish organizations condemned the gesture.<ref> Public opinion in the United States was split largely along political affiliations.<ref> Musk rejected claims of Nazi sympathies as "dirty tricks" and a "tired" line of attack.<ref> Conversely, neo-Nazi and white supremacist factions embraced the gesture as a Nazi salute.<ref>

Numerous European political parties urged that Musk be barred from entering their nations.<ref><ref>

Department of Government Efficiency

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) emerged from conversations between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. In August 2024, Trump extended an advisory position to Musk, which he accepted. By the end of 2024, Musk suggested that DOGE could streamline the U.S. federal budget by consolidating agencies and eliminating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, with the ultimate goal for DOGE to "delete itself."

DOGE was formally established via executive order in January 2025, appointing Musk as a "special government employee" and senior presidential advisor. While official status remained ambiguous and White House spokespeople denied Musk held formal authority or employment within DOGE, Trump maintained that Musk was leading the initiative. Subsequently, a federal court determined that Musk functioned as DOGE’s de facto head, wielding substantial autonomous power.

Musk’s tenure during Trump’s second term provoked public criticism due to his assertive management approach and involvement in extensive federal workforce reductions. He prioritized confidentiality within the organization and accused others of breaching privacy. A Senate report indicated Musk might evade up to $2 billion in legal liabilities connected to DOGE’s activities. In May 2025, Bill Gates condemned Musk for budget cuts to USAID, which modeling linked to approximately 300,000 deaths, predominantly among children.

On May 28, 2025, Musk declared his intention to leave the Trump administration once his status as a special government employee concluded. This departure was confirmed by a White House official and publicly announced during a joint press briefing in the Oval Office with Trump on May 30, 2025.

Conflict with Donald Trump

Following his departure from office, Musk criticized the Trump administration’s Big Beautiful Bill, labeling it a "disgusting abomination" due to its provisions that increased the deficit. This ignited a public dispute, notably when Musk accused Trump on X (formerly Twitter) on June 5, 2025, of connections to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump replied on Truth Social, calling Musk "CRAZY" after Musk’s role in removing the "EV Mandate," and threatened to terminate Musk’s government contracts. In response, Musk called for a third impeachment of Trump. Trump refused any reconciliation and warned Musk of "very serious consequences" should he support Democratic candidates financially. On June 11, Musk issued a public apology for his tweets targeting Trump, admitting they had "gone too far."

Views

Musk rejects the conservative designation, instead identifying as a political moderate, although his perspectives have gradually shifted toward the right. His viewpoints have been described as both libertarian and far-right, eliciting criticism from figures such as Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz due to his engagement in European political matters.

In the context of U.S. politics, Musk supported Democratic candidates until 2022, when he cast his vote for the Republican Party for the first time. He endorses policies like universal basic income, gun rights, freedom of speech, a tax on carbon emissions, and H-1B visa initiatives. Expressing concerns about artificial intelligence and climate change, he opposes measures such as the wealth tax, short-selling, and government subsidies. Despite being an immigrant himself, Musk has faced allegations of opposing certain immigration policies and associating illegal immigration with these policies. He advocates for pronatalism, perceiving population decline as a significant threat, and aligns with principles rooted in Christianity. Musk is a fervent supporter of space colonization, especially targeting Mars, with the goal of mitigating risks of human extinction.

Musk has promoted conspiracy theories and made contentious remarks that have led to accusations including racism, sexism, antisemitism, transphobia, spreading disinformation, and endorsing white pride. Although he self-identifies as "pro-Semite," his comments regarding George Soros and Jewish groups have drawn condemnation from organizations like the Anti-Defamation League and statements from the White House.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Musk attracted criticism for making unsupported epidemiological claims, defying lockdown mandates, and endorsing protests opposing vaccine requirements. Additionally, he has propagated false assertions concerning white genocide in South Africa.

International relations

Musk has openly criticized Israel’s conduct in the Gaza Strip amid the Gaza war, praised China’s economic development and climate objectives, suggested that disputes between Taiwan and China should be resolved bilaterally, and is reported to maintain a close rapport with the Chinese government.

In Europe, Musk expressed support for Ukraine during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, advocated for referendums and negotiated peace agreements regarding annexed Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, and endorsed the far-right party Alternative for Germany in 2024. Concerning British affairs, he attributed the 2024 UK riots to issues stemming from mass migration and open border policies, criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer for implementing what he described as a "two-tier" policing system, and faced accusations of disseminating misinformation while amplifying far-right narratives. Furthermore, Musk has backed far-right figure Tommy Robinson and committed electoral support to Reform UK.

Legal matters

In 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) initiated legal action against Musk following a tweet in which he asserted that funding had been secured to take Tesla private. The SEC deemed this statement false and misleading, seeking to prohibit Musk from holding CEO positions at publicly traded companies. Musk reached a settlement without admitting or denying the claims; both he and Tesla were fined $20 million each, and Musk agreed to step down as chairman for three years while retaining his role as CEO. Shareholders also filed a lawsuit regarding the tweet, but in February 2023, a jury ruled that neither Musk nor Tesla were liable. Musk has expressed no regret over posting the tweet.

In 2019, Musk tweeted that Tesla would produce 500,000 vehicles that year, which led the SEC to pursue contempt charges for breaching the 2018 settlement agreement. A subsequent joint agreement established requirements for preapproval of Musk’s tweets. In 2020, a judge dismissed a lawsuit alleging Musk violated this agreement by tweeting about Tesla’s stock price. Nevertheless, documents released under FOIA revealed the SEC determined that Musk breached the agreement twice by tweeting about Tesla’s solar roof production and stock valuation.

In October 2023, the SEC filed suit against Musk for refusing to provide testimony in an investigation concerning his 2022 purchase of Twitter stock. A judge ordered him to testify again in February 2024. Subsequently, in January 2025, the SEC brought a securities violation lawsuit against Musk related to his acquisition of Twitter.

Also in January 2024, a Delaware court invalidated Musk’s $55 billion compensation package from Tesla, describing it as "an unfathomable sum" that disadvantaged shareholders. Following this ruling, Musk announced plans for Tesla to conduct a shareholder vote on relocating incorporation to Texas.

Personal life

Musk obtained U.S. citizenship in 2002. From the early 2000s until late 2020, he resided in California—the state where Tesla and SpaceX were established—before moving to Cameron County, Texas, citing California’s "complacent" economic climate as a motivating factor.

While hosting Saturday Night Live in 2021, Musk revealed he has Asperger syndrome, now recognized within the autism spectrum. At TED2022, he discussed difficulties interpreting social cues and taking language literally. He has undergone multiple spinal surgeries due to chronic back pain and survived a severe malaria infection in 2000.

Musk occasionally uses physician-prescribed ketamine to manage depression, administering it sparingly. Since January 2024, media outlets have reported allegations of his use of various substances including ketamine, marijuana, LSD, ecstasy, psilocybin mushrooms, and cocaine. Initially refraining from comment, Musk later denied any positive drug tests and expressed openness to using substances if they enhanced productivity. Investigations by The New York Times raised concerns about his drug use and its impact on personal relationships amid his political activities. Former President Trump reportedly referred to Musk as "a big-time drug addict."

Under his label Emo G Records, Musk released a rap single titled "RIP Harambe" in 2019 and followed with an EDM track called "Don't Doubt Ur Vibe" in 2020.

Musk engages in video gaming as a form of mental exercise, favoring games such as Quake, Diablo IV, Elden Ring, and Polytopia. He once claimed to be among top players but admitted to "account boosting" by employing others to achieve high rankings, justifying this practice as necessary for competitiveness. Between 2024 and 2025, he criticized Assassin's Creed Shadows and its developer Ubisoft for incorporating "woke" elements—specifically objecting to the inclusion of the historical figure Yasuke. Ubisoft responded by stating that Musk’s remarks incited hostility and emphasized their commitment to game development rather than political discourse.

Relationships and children

Elon Musk is known to have fathered at least 14 children, with one tragically passing away during infancy. According to a 2025 report by The Wall Street Journal, sources indicate that the actual number of Musk’s offspring might be greater. With his first spouse, Canadian author Justine Wilson, whom he wed in 2000, Musk had six children. Their eldest, Nevada, died in 2002 due to sudden infant death syndrome. The couple used in vitro fertilization to conceive twins in 2004 and triplets in 2006. They divorced in 2008 but continue to share custody of their children. One of the twins underwent gender transition and legally adopted the name Vivian Jenna Wilson in 2022.

Musk’s relationship with English actress Talulah Riley began in 2008; they married two years later, divorced in 2012, remarried in 2013, and finalized their second divorce in 2016. In 2017, he had a brief romantic involvement with American actress Amber Heard.

In 2018, Musk publicly confirmed his relationship with Canadian musician Grimes. Together, they have three children born between 2020 and 2022. Their eldest was originally named "X Æ A-12," but this conflicted with California naming regulations; the officially registered name is "X Æ A-Xii." Their second child was born through surrogacy. Despite the pregnancy, Musk described their status as "semi-separated" by late 2021 and reported being single by December of that year. In October 2023, Grimes initiated legal action against Musk concerning parental rights and custody of their eldest child. Musk has brought X Æ A-Xii to several official functions during the second term of former President Trump.

A July 2022 Wall Street Journal article alleged that Musk had an extramarital affair with Nicole Shanahan, spouse of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, which reportedly contributed to Brin’s divorce; Musk denied these claims. He also maintained a relationship with Australian actress Natasha Bassett, described as an occasional partner. In October 2024, The New York Times reported that Musk acquired a Texas estate intended for his children and their mothers; Musk refuted this report.

With Shivon Zilis, Neuralink’s director of operations, Musk has four children: twins conceived via IVF in 2021, a child born through surrogacy in 2024, and another child born in 2025. Additionally, he is alleged to have fathered a child with author Ashley St. Clair in 2024.

On February 14, 2025, Ashley St. Clair announced on the social media platform X that she had given birth five months earlier to Musk’s son Romulus, reported as his thirteenth child. Shortly thereafter, St. Clair filed for sole custody and sought legal acknowledgment of Musk as the father. On March 31, Musk expressed uncertainty regarding paternity but disclosed having paid St. Clair $2.5 million upfront along with an agreement for $500,000 annually; subsequent reports revealed that $1 million of this sum was structured as a loan.

Musk Foundation

Elon Musk serves as president of the Musk Foundation, established by him in 2001. This philanthropic organization concentrates on areas such as renewable energy initiatives, human space exploration efforts, pediatric healthcare, and the development of safe artificial intelligence technologies. One of its objectives includes supplying solar-powered energy solutions to regions affected by disasters. Between 2002 and 2018, nearly half of the foundation’s $25 million donations were directed toward Musk’s OpenAI project. By the close of 2021, the foundation’s total assets had grown to $9.4 billion; however, it distributed only $160 million to charitable causes that year.

The foundation has been criticized for donations perceived as benefiting Musk’s family members and businesses and for maintaining a relatively low payout ratio. In response to a challenge from World Food Programme director David Beasley—who proposed a plan funded by Musk’s resources to eradicate global hunger—Musk ultimately contributed the $6 billion under discussion to his own foundation instead of directly supporting Beasley’s proposal, which claimed such funds could feed 42 million people for one year.

Public image

Although Musk's enterprises have profoundly influenced their sectors since the early 2000s, his widespread recognition emerged primarily in the early 2010s. Distinguished by his unconventional behavior and impulsive yet consequential choices, he frequently issues provocative remarks, setting him apart from other billionaires who typically maintain discretion to safeguard their ventures. These actions and outspoken opinions have rendered him a divisive personality. According to biographer Ashlee Vance, Musk's online persona on Twitter is a blend of "philosopher and provocateur."

Due to his extensive sway over public conversation, digital platforms, industrial innovation, political arenas, and government decisions, Musk has been characterized as an American oligarch. After Trump's re-election, Musk's involvement in the transition period prompted some observers to nickname him "President Musk," the "real president-elect," or "shadow president," highlighting his unusual degree of political influence and prominence.

Accolades

For his work with Falcon rockets, Musk was honored with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics George Low Transportation Award in 2008, the Gold Space Medal in 2010, and the Royal Aeronautical Society Gold Medal in 2012. In 2015, he was bestowed an honorary doctorate in engineering and technology from Yale University along with IEEE Honorary Membership. His election as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) occurred in 2018. In 2022, Musk became a member of the National Academy of Engineering in recognition of his innovations in reusable launch systems and eco-friendly transportation solutions.

Time magazine included Musk among the world's most influential individuals in 2010, 2013, 2018, and 2021. Additionally, he was designated Time's Person of the Year in 2021 for his profound impact on life both on Earth and beyond.

Further reading

• Tarnoff, Ben, "Ultra Hardcore" (subscription required) (review of Walter Isaacson, Elon Musk, Simon and Schuster, 2023, 670 pp.), The New York Review of Books, vol. LXXI, no. 1 (January 18, 2024), pp. 6, 8, 10. "There is an anti-modern impulse to Musk, a craving for lordship that can't be entirely satisfied within the confines of a capitalist economy. A king doesn't have advertisers or shareholders or customers, and Musk, if he continues on his current trajectory, may very well be abandoned by all three. Aristotle says a good ending should be surprising but inevitable. It's possible to imagine multiple finales for Musk that meet these criteria, but the story always begins the same way. Once upon a time in Pretoria, there was a boy who wanted to be a man." (p. 10.)

External links

• C-SPAN reports
• LittleSis information page