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Elon Musk
Portrait of Elon Musk, a white, middle-age man with short, dark hair, wearing a black shirt
Musk in 2025
Senior Advisor to the President
In office
January 20, 2025 – May 30, 2025
Serving with Massad Boulos
President Donald Trump
Preceded by Tom Perez
Personal details
Born
Elon Reeve Musk

(1971-06-28) June 28, 1971 (age 54)
Pretoria, South Africa
Citizenship
  • South Africa (since 1971)
  • Canada (since 1989)
  • United States (since 2002)
Political party Independent
Other political
affiliations
America Party (2025–present)
Spouses
Children At least 14
Parents
Relatives Musk family
Education University of Pennsylvania (BA, BS)
Occupation
  • CEO and product architect of Tesla
  • Founder, CEO, and chief engineer of SpaceX
  • Founder and CEO of xAI
  • Founder of the Boring Company and X Corp.
  • Co-founder of Neuralink, OpenAI, Zip2, and X.com (part of PayPal)
  • President of the Musk Foundation
Awards Full list
Signature

Elon Reeve Musk (born June 28, 1971) is a well-known businessman and inventor. He leads several big companies like Tesla, which makes electric cars, and SpaceX, which builds rockets and spacecraft. He also owns X (formerly Twitter), a popular social media platform. Many people consider him one of the richest people in the world.

Elon Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa. He moved to Canada in 1989 and later to the United States. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1995, he started his first company, Zip2, which helped newspapers create online city guides. Later, he co-founded X.com, an online payment company that became part of PayPal.

In 2002, Elon Musk started SpaceX to make space travel more affordable and to develop reusable rockets. He joined Tesla in 2004 and became its CEO in 2008, helping it become a leader in electric vehicles. He also co-founded OpenAI for artificial intelligence (AI) research and later started xAI. In 2022, he bought Twitter and changed its name to X. His other companies include Neuralink, which works on brain technology, and the Boring Company, which builds tunnels.

Elon Musk has also been involved in politics. He has supported different political figures and causes. In early 2025, he worked as an advisor to United States president Donald Trump. He later left this role and announced plans to start his own political party. His actions and ideas often lead to public discussions and strong opinions.

Early Life and Childhood

Elon Reeve Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa. His mother, Maye Musk, is a model and dietitian from Canada. His father, Errol Musk, is an engineer and property developer. Elon has a younger brother, Kimbal, and a younger sister, Tosca. His family was quite well-off when he was growing up.

When Elon was about nine, his parents divorced. He chose to live with his father, partly because his father had an Encyclopaedia Britannica and a computer. Later, Elon felt sad about this choice and grew apart from his father. He also shared stories about a tough wilderness school where he experienced bullying and was once badly hurt.

From a young age, Elon loved to read. He enjoyed books like The Lord of the Rings and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. When he was ten, he became very interested in computers and video games. He taught himself how to program. By age twelve, he even sold a game he created called Blastar for about $500.

Schooling and Learning

PBHS-facade
Musk graduated from Pretoria Boys High School in South Africa.

Elon Musk attended several schools in South Africa, including Pretoria Boys High School, where he finished his studies. He was a good student. To avoid mandatory military service in South Africa, he applied for a Canadian passport through his mother. This also made it easier for him to move to the United States.

In 1989, Elon arrived in Canada and took on various jobs. He later attended Queen's University in Ontario. Two years later, he moved to the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. He earned two bachelor's degrees there: one in physics and one in economics. To help pay for his studies, he sometimes hosted large parties.

Before starting his own businesses, Elon had internships in Silicon Valley. He was accepted into a graduate program at Stanford University but decided not to go. Instead, he wanted to be part of the growing Internet industry.

Building Businesses

Zip2: Online City Guides

In 1995, Elon Musk, his brother Kimbal, and a friend named Greg Kouri started a company called Zip2. They got some money from Elon's father to begin. Zip2 created online guides for newspapers, offering maps, directions, and business listings.

Elon worked very hard, coding the website day and night. Zip2 signed deals with big newspapers like The New York Times. In 1999, a company called Compaq bought Zip2. This sale brought Elon his first big success.

X.com and PayPal: Online Payments

In 1999, Elon Musk co-founded X.com, a company for online financial services and payments. It was one of the first online banks to be insured by the government. To avoid competition, X.com later merged with another online bank called Confinity, which had a popular money-transfer service called PayPal.

Elon became the CEO of the merged company. However, there were disagreements about which computer software to use. Eventually, Elon was replaced as CEO. The company then focused on PayPal and changed its name to PayPal in 2001. In 2002, eBay bought PayPal. Elon, who was the largest shareholder, received a large sum of money from this sale. Years later, in 2017, Elon bought the X.com name back because it was special to him.

SpaceX: Exploring Space

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk visits N&NC and AFSPC (190416-F-ZZ999-006) (cropped)
Musk explains Starship capabilities to leaders of North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Northern Command, and Air Force Space Command in 2019.

In 2002, Elon Musk used $100 million of his money to start SpaceX. His goal was to make rockets and space travel much more affordable. He became the CEO and chief engineer of the company.

SpaceX launched its first rocket, the Falcon 1, in 2006. Even though it didn't reach orbit, NASA gave SpaceX a contract. After two more tries, SpaceX successfully launched the Falcon 1 into orbit in 2008. Later that year, NASA gave SpaceX a big contract to send supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) using their Falcon 9 rockets and Dragon spacecraft. In 2012, a Dragon spacecraft docked with the ISS, which was a first for a private company.

SpaceX has worked hard to create reusable rockets. In 2015, they successfully landed the first part of a Falcon 9 rocket back on Earth. They also landed rockets on special ships in the ocean. In 2018, SpaceX launched the powerful Falcon Heavy rocket, carrying Elon Musk's own Tesla car into space as a test. Since 2019, SpaceX has been developing Starship, a very large reusable rocket. In 2020, SpaceX sent astronauts into orbit for the first time, making it the first private company to do so.

Starlink: Internet from Space

Starlink Mission (47926144123)
50 Starlink satellites shortly before deployment to low Earth orbit, 2019

In 2015, SpaceX began building Starlink, a network of satellites in space that provide satellite Internet access. The first large group of these satellites was launched in 2019. By May 2025, over 7,600 Starlink satellites were working, making up most of the satellites orbiting Earth.

During the conflict in Ukraine, Elon Musk provided free Starlink service to Ukraine. This helped people there stay connected to the internet.

Tesla: Electric Cars and Energy

Elon Musk, Tesla Factory, Fremont (CA, USA) (8765031426)
Musk next to a Tesla Model S, 2011

Tesla, Inc. was started in 2003. Elon Musk became a major investor in 2004 and joined Tesla's board. He took an active role in designing the first Tesla car, the Roadster. In 2008, Elon became the CEO and product architect of Tesla.

Tesla began selling the Roadster, an electric sports car, in 2008. It was one of the first electric cars to use lithium-ion battery cells. Under Elon's leadership, Tesla has since launched many popular electric vehicles. These include the Model S sedan, the Model X SUV, the more affordable Model 3, the Model Y SUV, and the unique Cybertruck pickup truck.

Tesla has also built large factories called Gigafactories to make batteries and electric vehicles. Tesla's stock value has grown a lot since 2010. In 2020, it became the most valuable carmaker.

SolarCity and Tesla Energy

Pair of 2009 SolarCity Dodge Sprinters
SolarCity solar-panel installation vans in 2009

Elon Musk came up with the idea for SolarCity and helped fund it. His cousins started the company in 2006. SolarCity became one of the biggest providers of solar power systems in the United States. In 2014, Elon suggested that SolarCity build a very large solar panel factory in New York. This factory was completed in 2017.

In 2016, Tesla bought SolarCity and combined it with its battery division to create Tesla Energy. This part of Tesla focuses on solar power and energy storage solutions.

Neuralink: Brain Technology

Elon Musk and the Neuralink Future
Musk discussing a Neuralink device during a live demonstration in 2020

In 2016, Elon Musk co-founded Neuralink, a company that works on neurotechnology. Neuralink aims to connect the human brain with computers using tiny devices placed in the brain. This technology could help improve memory or treat brain and spinal cord injuries. In 2023, the company received approval to start human trials.

Neuralink has conducted studies on animals, including monkeys. In one video, a monkey was shown playing a video game using only its thoughts, thanks to a Neuralink implant. The company has faced some concerns about its animal studies.

The Boring Company: Tunnels for Traffic

Elon Musk Accelerates the Boring (45716125474)
Musk during the 2018 inauguration of the Boring test tunnel in Hawthorne, California

In 2017, Elon Musk started the Boring Company to build tunnels. He had an idea for special underground vehicles that could travel very fast to avoid traffic in big cities. The company began by digging a test tunnel near SpaceX's offices.

In 2018, a short test tunnel in Los Angeles was shown to journalists. It used Tesla cars to travel through. While some tunnel projects were later canceled, a tunnel system was completed under the Las Vegas Convention Center in 2021. Local officials have approved plans to expand this tunnel network.

X Corp. (Formerly Twitter)

In 2017, Elon Musk showed interest in buying Twitter, a social media platform. By 2022, he owned a significant part of the company. After some discussions, Musk made an offer to buy Twitter for about $44 billion. He completed the purchase on October 27, 2022.

Right after buying Twitter, Elon Musk made many changes. He became the CEO and changed the company's name to X in 2023. He also introduced monthly subscriptions for a "blue checkmark" and reduced the number of employees. Under his leadership, there have been discussions about how the platform handles information and content. In 2023, Musk stepped down as CEO but remained involved as executive chairman and chief technology officer.

Other Projects

Hyperloop: Future Travel

Hyperloop pod competition tube
A tube part of the 2017 Hyperloop pod competition, sponsored by SpaceX

In 2013, Elon Musk shared his idea for a new type of super-fast transportation system called Hyperloop. He imagined pods traveling through special tubes at very high speeds, making long-distance travel much quicker and cheaper. He had engineers from SpaceX and Tesla help design this concept.

OpenAI and xAI: Artificial Intelligence

In 2015, Elon Musk helped start OpenAI, a research company focused on artificial intelligence (AI). The goal was to develop AI that would be safe and helpful for everyone. Elon contributed funding to the company. He later left the board of OpenAI. In 2023, Elon launched his own AI company called xAI, which aims to create its own advanced AI programs.

Private Jet Use

Elon Musk uses a private jet for his travels. His flights are sometimes tracked on social media. In 2022, he made changes to how accounts that track private jets, including his own, could operate on X (formerly Twitter).

Political Involvement

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Musk with then-president-elect Donald Trump in November 2024

Elon Musk is known for sharing his political views, which is not common for many business leaders. He has supported both Democrats and Republicans in the past. Since 2022, he has mostly supported Republican candidates. He has also shared his opinions on international politics.

Musk supported Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, Hillary Clinton in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020, and Donald Trump in 2024. He has expressed support for ideas like universal basic income and freedom of speech. He has also voiced concerns about artificial intelligence and climate change.

By early 2024, Elon Musk became a strong supporter of Donald Trump. He joined Trump at a campaign rally and was a major donor in the 2024 election. His political actions and comments have drawn attention from leaders in other countries.

Government Efficiency Efforts

Elon Musk (54350004520)
Elon Musk wielding a chainsaw at the Conservative Political Political Action Conference (CPAC) in 2025, imitating a publicity stunt used by Javier Milei symbolic of efficiency, federal mass layoffs and tax cutting

The idea for a "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) came from discussions between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. In 2024, Trump offered Musk an advisory role in this effort, and Musk accepted. The goal of DOGE was to help reduce government spending and make federal agencies more efficient.

In January 2025, DOGE was officially created, and Elon Musk was named a "special government employee" and a senior advisor to the president. He was seen as the leader of this organization. His role in the government led to public discussions. In May 2025, Elon Musk announced he would be leaving his role in the Trump Administration. His departure was confirmed at the end of May 2025.

His Ideas and Opinions

Elon Musk describes himself as a political moderate, though his views have become more aligned with right-wing ideas over time. He supports gun rights, freedom of speech, and a tax on carbon emissions. He is also concerned about artificial intelligence and climate change.

Musk believes that a decrease in population is a big threat to civilization. He is a strong supporter of space colonization, especially the idea of humans living on Mars. He thinks humanity should become a species that lives on multiple planets to reduce risks to our future.

Elon Musk has sometimes shared ideas that have led to public debate. He has been criticized for some of his statements. He has also expressed his views on global events and leaders.

International Relations

Isaac Herzog in Beit HaNassi, November 2023 (GPOHZ02222 2)
Musk with the president of Israel Isaac Herzog, November 2023

Elon Musk has shared his thoughts on international events. He has commented on conflicts and economic goals of different countries. He has also expressed support for certain political groups in Europe.

Legal Matters

Elon Musk and his companies have faced various legal challenges. In 2018, he was involved in a disagreement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding a tweet about Tesla. They reached an agreement, which included fines for both Musk and Tesla. As part of this, Musk stepped down as Tesla's chairman for a period but remained CEO.

Later, the SEC raised concerns about other tweets from Musk. In 2023, the SEC sued Musk again because he did not want to testify in an investigation about his purchase of Twitter stock. A judge later ruled that he must testify. In 2024, a court ruled that a large pay package given to Musk by Tesla's board should be canceled, saying it was unfair to shareholders.

Personal Life

Musk became a U.S. citizen in 2002. He lived in California for many years, where he started Tesla and SpaceX. He later moved to Texas.

While hosting a TV show in 2021, Elon Musk shared that he has Asperger syndrome, which is now part of autism spectrum disorder. He explained that understanding social cues was not always easy for him. He also deals with back pain and has had surgeries for it.

Elon Musk enjoys playing video games, which he says helps him relax and think clearly. Some of his favorite games include Quake and Elden Ring. He has also released some music tracks.

Relationships and Children

Elon Musk has 13 children. He married his first wife, Justine Wilson, in 2000. Their first child passed away at a young age. They later had twins and then triplets. They divorced in 2008.

He later married English actress Talulah Riley twice, divorcing in 2012 and again in 2016. He also dated Canadian musician Grimes. They had a son in 2020, named X AE A-XII Musk. In 2021, they had a daughter named Exa Dark Sideræl Musk (nicknamed "Y") through surrogacy. In 2023, they had a third child, a son named Techno Mechanicus "Tau" Musk.

Musk also has four children with Shivon Zilis, who works at Neuralink.

Awards and Honors

Elon Musk Quotes

  • "I think it is possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary."
  • "If you go back a few hundred years, what we take for granted today would seem like magic."
  • "Failure is an option here. If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough."

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk

  • When he was 12, he sold his video game Blastar for $500.
  • He joined Tesla a year after it was founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning.
  • He almost sold Tesla to Google for $6 billion in 2013.
  • He was able to start SpaceX with the $100 million he earned when eBay bought PayPal.
  • His wealth comes from his ownership in companies, not from a salary.
  • He bought James Bond’s classic submarine car at an auction for almost $1 million in 2013.
  • Elon's mother, Maye Musk, is a model.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Elon Musk para niños

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