Elon Reeve Musk, born June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa, is the world's richest person and one of the most influential—and controversial—figures of the 21st century. With a net worth exceeding $700 billion, Musk has revolutionized industries through companies like Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and xAI. His life story is one of relentless ambition, groundbreaking innovation, personal turmoil, and polarizing public presence.
Early Life and Childhood
Musk grew up in a turbulent household with his mother Maye (a model and dietitian) and father Errol (an engineer). He endured severe bullying, including a brutal attack that required hospitalization. A self-taught programmer by age 12, he sold his first video game, Blastar, for $500. Musk emigrated to Canada in 1989, then to the U.S., earning degrees in physics and economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Early Ventures and Rise
In the 1990s, Musk co-founded Zip2 (sold for ~$300 million) and X.com, which merged into PayPal (sold to eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002, netting him ~$180 million). These successes funded his bolder dreams.
SpaceX: Conquering the Stars
Founded in 2002, SpaceX aimed to make space travel affordable. Early failures nearly bankrupted Musk, but reusable Falcon rockets, Starship development, and Starlink revolutionized the industry. By 2025, SpaceX is valued at $800 billion, with Mars colonization in sight.
Tesla: Electrifying the World
Musk joined Tesla in 2004, becoming CEO in 2008. He transformed it into the leading EV maker, with models like the Cybertruck and focus on autonomy and robotics (Optimus). In 2025, Tesla shifted its mission to "Amazing Abundance," dropping "sustainable" amid controversies.
Neuralink and xAI: Merging Man and Machine
Neuralink (2016) develops brain implants for human enhancement; xAI (2023), with Grok AI, challenges rivals in the AI race amid massive compute investments.
Personal Life and Controversies
Musk has 14 children with multiple partners. His 2022 acquisition of Twitter (rebranded X) amplified his divisive voice, leading to political involvement, including the short-lived DOGE initiative. Criticized for misinformation and rhetoric, he remains a polarizing force—visionary to some, provocateur to others.
Legacy in 2025
Guided by "first principles" and a drive for multi-planetary life, Musk's empire shapes the future of transportation, space, AI, and energy. As he pushes boundaries—from humanoid robots to quantum-ready tech—his story continues to evolve, blending triumph, chaos, and unyielding ambition. 🚀
(Note: There is no official autobiography by Musk himself; the definitive biography is Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson, published in 2023.)