When most people think of Elon Musk, they picture rockets blasting into space or electric cars zipping down highways. But behind the headlines about his companies and wealth lies something even more remarkable – his sprawling family tree. With 14 children from multiple relationships, a complicated family history, and roots spanning several countries, the Musk family story is as fascinating as the man himself. Did you know that the world’s richest man once claimed to live in a $50,000 tiny home? Or that his grandfather was a political activist with controversial views? Let’s take a closer look at the surprising family behind the famous billionaire.
Musk’s early years in South Africa shaped his path
Born in Pretoria, South Africa in 1971, Elon Musk’s childhood was far from ordinary. His parents, Maye and Errol Musk, divorced when he was young, leading to a split family dynamic that would impact him deeply. His mother Maye, a Canadian-South African model and dietitian, raised Elon and his siblings with a strong emphasis on independence and hard work. These early lessons stuck with young Elon, who showed his tech skills early by creating and selling his first video game at just 12 years old. The family’s situation in South Africa was complicated, with Elon later describing a difficult relationship with his father.
Despite claims that he came from wealth, Musk has denied growing up rich, even as his father has made disputed claims about owning an emerald mine. The political climate of apartheid-era South Africa also cast a shadow over his early years. Seeking better opportunities, Musk left South Africa at 17, using his mother’s Canadian citizenship to relocate. This move marked the beginning of his journey toward becoming a global tech leader. The contrast between his humble claims and his father’s stories of wealth has created lingering questions about Musk’s true background, adding another layer of complexity to his already complicated family history.
The Musk siblings have carved their own paths
While Elon may grab most of the headlines, his siblings Kimbal and Tosca have built impressive careers of their own. Younger brother Kimbal Musk has focused his energy on sustainable food systems, becoming a successful restaurateur and entrepreneur. With his signature cowboy hat and passion for changing how people eat, Kimbal has established multiple restaurant concepts and food education programs across America. The brothers have worked together at times, with Kimbal serving on the boards of Tesla and SpaceX, though their professional interests have taken them in different directions. Their shared entrepreneurial spirit seems to run in the family blood.
Sister Tosca Musk has made her mark in the entertainment world as a filmmaker and producer. She’s the founder of Passionflix, a streaming service focused on romance films and series. Unlike her tech-focused brothers, Tosca chose a creative path but shows the same determination to succeed in her chosen field. The three Musk siblings maintain relationships despite their busy lives and different career choices. They’ve spoken about their mother Maye’s influence on their work ethic and ambition. While Elon’s fame often overshadows his siblings, Kimbal and Tosca have built respected names for themselves rather than simply riding on their famous brother’s coattails.
His parents’ unique backgrounds influenced the family
The story of Elon’s parents reads like something from a novel. His mother, Maye Musk, defied expectations by continuing her modeling career well into her seventies, becoming a CoverGirl spokesperson at 69. Before her modeling success, she worked as a dietitian and raised three children as a single mother after divorcing Errol Musk. Her resilience and work ethic clearly shaped her children’s approach to life. Maye has remained a constant supportive presence in Elon’s life, often appearing alongside him at major events and sharing proud mom moments on social media.
Elon’s father, Errol Musk, presents a more complicated legacy. A South African engineer, businessman, and property developer, Errol has been a controversial figure. Elon has spoken about their strained relationship in interviews, describing his father as “terrible” and stating they are not on speaking terms. Adding to the family complexity, Errol fathered a child with his former stepdaughter, causing further family tension. Errol’s claims about owning an emerald mine during apartheid-era South Africa have been disputed by Elon, who insists he made his own way without family wealth. This complicated father-son dynamic has clearly impacted Elon’s life and perhaps his own approach to fatherhood.
Musk’s growing lineup of children spans generations
Elon Musk’s role as a father is perhaps the most surprising aspect of his personal life, with a total of 14 children from multiple relationships. His first marriage to Canadian author Justine Wilson produced six children, including their firstborn who tragically died of sudden infant death syndrome. The couple later had twins and then triplets through in vitro fertilization. Following his divorce from Justine in 2008, Musk went on to have relationships with actress Talulah Riley, musician Grimes, and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, all of which resulted in more children. The names of some of his children have made headlines for their uniqueness – like X Æ A-Xii and Exa Dark Sideræl.
Musk has spoken openly about his belief that declining birth rates pose a serious threat to civilization, saying “if people don’t have more children, civilization is going to crumble.” His personal family expansion seems to align with these views. In 2022, it was revealed that Musk had welcomed twins with Shivon Zilis, an executive at his brain-chip company Neuralink. In 2023, he welcomed a third child with her. With his children ranging widely in age, Musk has created a unique modern family structure. He has stated that he wants his younger children to know each other and be part of each other’s lives, suggesting some sort of blended family arrangement despite the children having different mothers.
The family’s complex relationship history spans continents
Elon’s relationship history is nearly as complex as his business ventures. His first marriage to Canadian author Justine Wilson lasted from 2000 to 2008. Shortly after their divorce, he began dating British actress Talulah Riley, marrying her in 2010. Their relationship followed an unusual pattern – they divorced in 2012, remarried in 2013, and divorced again in 2016. Between marriages, Musk briefly dated actress Amber Heard following her split from Johnny Depp. In 2018, he began a relationship with musician Claire Boucher, known professionally as Grimes, with whom he had three children before their eventual split in 2022.
Throughout these relationships, Musk maintained his intense work schedule, often speaking about working 80-100 hour weeks split between his various companies. This demanding schedule has likely impacted his family life and relationships. While maintaining his primary residence in Texas, Musk’s family is now spread across multiple locations. Reports in 2024 suggested he was creating a family compound in Austin, Texas, though he denied these claims. Most recently, in 2025, conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair claimed Musk is the father of her son Romulus, though Musk hasn’t confirmed this. Despite the complicated logistics, Musk has expressed his desire for his children to grow up knowing their half-siblings.
The family’s controversial grandparents left their mark
Looking back into the Musk family tree reveals controversial figures whose influence may still echo today. Elon’s maternal grandfather, Joshua Haldeman, was an American-born Canadian chiropractor and political activist who moved his family to South Africa in the 1950s. Before this move, he had been involved in a political movement in Canada that reportedly had fascist and antisemitic leanings. After relocating to South Africa, the Haldemans became supporters of the apartheid regime. This family history places Elon’s childhood within the context of apartheid South Africa, a racist system that shaped the country during his formative years.
On his father’s side, Elon’s paternal grandparents were Walter Henry James Musk and Cora Amelia Robinson, primarily of English-South African heritage. The complicated political views of his grandparents, particularly Joshua Haldeman’s support for apartheid, create an uncomfortable historical context for the Musk family. Some analysts have drawn connections between this family history and certain aspects of Musk’s worldview, particularly his libertarian leanings and anti-government stance. Others point out that Musk left South Africa at 17, suggesting a desire to distance himself from the country’s racist policies, though he rarely discusses this aspect of his background publicly.
Where the Musk family calls home today
Despite being the world’s richest person with a net worth exceeding $400 billion, Elon Musk’s living situation has been surprisingly modest at times. In 2020, he made headlines by announcing he was selling all his California properties to “own no house.” True to his word, he sold his multiple luxury homes and claimed to be living in a $50,000 prefabricated home in Boca Chica, Texas, near his SpaceX facility. This tiny house lifestyle seemed at odds with his enormous wealth, leading many to question his motivations. Was it a publicity stunt, a genuine philosophical stance, or something else entirely?
More recently, reports have emerged that Musk is creating living arrangements that better accommodate his growing family. In 2024, there were claims that he was building a secret family compound in Austin, Texas, to house some of his children and their mothers, though he publicly denied these reports. Instead, Musk has focused on developing Starbase, a company town near the SpaceX launch site in Boca Chica. With his children split between different mothers and households, Musk’s family doesn’t fit traditional models. The logistics of maintaining relationships with 14 children across different households must be challenging even for someone with almost unlimited resources.
The story of Elon Musk’s family continues to evolve, with new chapters being written regularly. From his complicated childhood in South Africa to his current status as father to 14 children with multiple partners, Musk’s personal life defies convention at every turn. As he balances his roles as CEO, political figure, and father, the world watches with fascination. Whether you view him as a visionary or villain, one thing remains clear – behind the headlines and controversies is a sprawling, complicated family tree that’s still growing and changing with each passing year.
