Elon Musk is a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, best known for founding SpaceX and co-founding Tesla, Inc. His groundbreaking work in space exploration, electric vehicles, and sustainable energy solutions has solidified his reputation as a pioneer in technology and innovation.
Biography
Attribute | Details |
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Full Name | Elon Reeve Musk |
Date of Birth | June 28, 1971 |
Nationality | South African, Canadian, American |
Fields | Businessman, Investor |
Key Roles |
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Net Worth (as of July 2024) | US$221 billion |
Education |
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Notable Ventures |
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Controversies |
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Early Life
Elon Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa, to a Canadian mother, Maye Musk, and a South African father, Errol Musk. He grew up in Pretoria alongside his siblings, Kimbal and Tosca. From a young age, Elon exhibited a keen interest in science and technology, often getting lost in books and computers. His early years were not without challenges; he was frequently bullied by his classmates until he experienced a growth spurt in his teens that allowed him to stand up for himself. Despite these difficulties, Musk’s entrepreneurial spirit shone through, as he and his brother Kimbal went door-to-door selling homemade chocolate Easter eggs. His passion for technology and innovation eventually led him to move to Canada at the age of 17, where he attended Queen’s University before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania. These experiences laid the foundation for Musk’s future endeavors in the tech and space industries.
Family
Relation | Name | Information |
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Father | Errol Musk | Errol Musk is a South African electromechanical engineer, pilot, sailor, consultant, and property developer. He partly owned a rental lodge at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. |
Mother | Maye Musk | Maye Musk is a Canadian model and dietitian. She has appeared on the covers of various magazines and has authored a book on her experiences. |
Brother | Kimbal Musk | Kimbal Musk is an entrepreneur and restaurateur. He co-founded Zip2 with Elon and is involved in various food and farming initiatives. |
Sister | Tosca Musk | Tosca Musk is a filmmaker and producer. She is the co-founder of the streaming service Passionflix, which focuses on romance films. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
Attribute | Measurement |
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Height | 6’2″ (188 cm) |
Weight | 187 lbs (85 kg) |
Age | 52 |
Net Worth | $230.9 Billion |
Shoe Size | Not publicly available |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
As of the latest information available, Elon Musk is not currently married. He was last known to be in a relationship with singer Grimes (Claire Boucher), but they have since broken up.
Name | Relationship Type | Duration | Additional Information |
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Justine Wilson | Wife | 2000-2008 | They have five children together: a set of twins and a set of triplets. |
Talulah Riley | Wife | 2010-2012, 2013-2016 | They married twice and divorced twice. |
Amber Heard | Girlfriend | 2017 | They dated for a brief period after her divorce from Johnny Depp. |
Grimes (Claire Boucher) | Girlfriend | 2018-2021 | They have a son named X Æ A-Xii and a daughter named Exa Dark Sideræl Musk. |
Elon Musk has had a series of high-profile relationships. He was first married to Canadian author Justine Wilson, with whom he has five children. After their divorce, he married British actress Talulah Riley twice; they eventually divorced both times. Musk also dated actress Amber Heard briefly in 2017. His most recent relationship was with singer Grimes, with whom he shares two children.
Career, Achievements And Controversies
Elon Musk became famous through his pioneering work in technology and transportation. His ventures in online payments with PayPal, electric vehicles with Tesla, and space exploration with SpaceX have made him a prominent figure in the tech industry.
Elon Musk’s career began with Zip2, a software company he co-founded with his brother Kimbal Musk. The company was sold to Compaq for nearly $300 million. He then co-founded X.com, which eventually became PayPal and was acquired by eBay for $1.5 billion in stock.
Musk’s notable works include:
- SpaceX: Founded in 2002, the company aims to reduce space transportation costs and enable the colonization of Mars.
- Tesla, Inc.: Co-founded in 2003, Tesla is known for its electric vehicles and renewable energy products.
- The Boring Company: Founded in 2016, the company aims to reduce traffic through underground tunneling systems.
- Neuralink: Founded in 2016, this neurotechnology company develops implantable brain–machine interfaces.
- X Corp: Formerly known as Twitter, Musk acquired the social media platform and rebranded it.
Elon Musk has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including:
- National Space Society’s Astronautics Award
- Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World
- Royal Aeronautical Society’s Gold Medal
- IEEE Honorary Membership
- Axel Springer Award
Elon Musk’s career has been marked by several controversies, including:
- Tweets and Market Impact: Musk’s tweets have sometimes caused significant fluctuations in the stock market, leading to scrutiny from the SEC.
- Labor Practices: Tesla has faced multiple lawsuits and complaints regarding labor practices and working conditions in its factories.
- COVID-19 Response: Musk’s comments and actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including downplaying the virus and defying lockdown orders, have been controversial.
- Personal Life: Musk’s personal life, including his relationships and family matters, has often been in the public eye, sometimes overshadowing his professional achievements.
- Autopilot and Safety Concerns: Tesla’s Autopilot system has been involved in several high-profile accidents, raising questions about its safety and readiness for widespread use.
Despite these controversies, Elon Musk continues to be a significant figure in technology and innovation, driving forward ambitious projects that aim to change the world.