Elon Musk Net Worth, Early Life, Relationships, Children, Hobbies and Interests

Steve Jurvetson, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Last Updated- September 19, 2024

Ask About	Answer
Net Worth	Around $252.8 BILLION (2024)
Height	1.88 meters (6 feet 2 inch)
Income Source	Tesla, SpaceX

Table of Contents

Elon Musk Net Worth

Elon Musk net worth 2024 is estimated to be $252.8 BILLION, primarily derived from his stakes in Tesla, the renowned electric car manufacturer, and SpaceX, the pioneering space exploration company. With approximately 12% ownership in Tesla and an undisclosed but estimated 25% stake in SpaceX, Musk’s wealth is intricately tied to the performance of these innovative ventures.

Elon Musk’s Early Life

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur known for revolutionizing industries, had an intriguing early life that shaped his relentless drive for innovation and success.

1. Birth and Family Background

• Date of Birth: June 28, 1971
• Place: Pretoria, South Africa
• Parents:
  • Father: Errol Musk, an electromechanical engineer, pilot, and property developer.
  • Mother: Maye Musk, a Canadian-South African dietitian, and model.
• Siblings:
  • Kimbal Musk: Elon’s younger brother, an entrepreneur and restaurateur.
  • Tosca Musk: His younger sister, a filmmaker and producer.

2. Early Fascination with Technology

• Self-Taught Programmer: By the age of 10, Musk had developed a keen interest in computers. He learned programming on a Commodore VIC-20 and, at just 12 years old, created and sold a video game called Blastar for around $500.
• Introverted and Bookish: Musk was a quiet, introverted child who loved reading. Books like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series profoundly influenced his worldview and sense of possibility.

3. Challenging Childhood

• Bullying: Musk faced a difficult time growing up, often being bullied in school. At one point, he was even hospitalized after a group of boys pushed him down a flight of stairs.
• Family Struggles: His parents divorced when he was around 10 years old, and Musk lived with his father for a time, though their relationship was strained.

4. Education

• High School: Musk attended Pretoria Boys High School in South Africa. Despite the challenges he faced, Musk excelled academically and began dreaming of bigger things beyond his home country.
• Move to North America:
  • At 17, Musk moved to Canada to avoid mandatory military service in South Africa’s apartheid regime. He believed it was easier to enter the United States through Canada.
  • Musk attended Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, for two years before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania in the United States.

5. Higher Education and Early Career

• University of Pennsylvania:
  • Degrees: Musk earned dual degrees—a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the College of Arts and Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the Wharton School of Business.
• Graduate Studies: In 1995, Musk was accepted into a PhD program in Applied Physics at Stanford University. However, he dropped out after just two days to pursue business ventures in the burgeoning Internet industry.

6. Entrepreneurial Spirit in Early Adulthood

• First Business Ventures:
  • Zip2: Musk co-founded Zip2, a software company that provided business directories and maps for newspapers. The company was sold to Compaq for $307 million in 1999, with Musk receiving $22 million from the sale.
• X.com and PayPal: After selling Zip2, Musk launched X.com, an online payment company. This later became PayPal after a merger. In 2002, eBay bought PayPal for $1.5 billion, netting Musk $180 million from the deal.

Elon Musk’s Relationships, Children, Hobbies and Interests

While Elon Musk is primarily known for his groundbreaking achievements in technology and business, his personal life has also captured public interest. Musk’s relationships, family, and unique lifestyle have contributed to his public image as a complex, multifaceted individual.

1. Marriages and Relationships

• Justine Musk (2000-2008):
  • Elon Musk married Justine Wilson, a Canadian author, in 2000. The couple met while attending Queen’s University in Canada.
  • They had six children together, though their first son, Nevada Alexander Musk, tragically died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) at 10 weeks old.
  • The couple divorced in 2008 but remain on good terms, co-parenting their children.
• Talulah Riley (2010-2016):
  • Musk began dating British actress Talulah Riley, and they got married in 2010.
  • The couple divorced in 2012, remarried in 2013, and divorced again in 2016.
• Amber Heard (2016-2017):
  • Musk briefly dated actress Amber Heard following her split from Johnny Depp. Their relationship garnered significant media attention, but the couple parted ways in 2017.
• Grimes (2018-2022):
  • In 2018, Musk began a relationship with musician Grimes (real name Claire Boucher). The pair made headlines due to their different public personas—Musk as a business magnate and Grimes as an experimental pop star.
  • Children with Grimes:
  • In May 2020, they welcomed a son named X Æ A-12 Musk (later changed to X AE A-Xii for legal reasons).
  • In December 2021, their second child, a daughter named Exa Dark Sideræl Musk, was born via surrogate.
  • Despite breaking up in 2021, they continue to co-parent their children.

2. Elon Musk Children

• Total Children: Musk has 10 children as of 2024.
• Notable Children:
  • Twins and Triplets: Musk and Justine had twins, Griffin and Vivian Jenna Wilson, born in 2004. In 2006, they welcomed triplets: Kai, Saxon, and Damian.
  • Vivian Jenna Wilson: Musk’s daughter, formerly named Xavier Alexander Musk, changed her name and gender in 2022, severing ties with her father.
  • Latest Additions: Musk’s tenth child, Tau Techno Mechanicus, was revealed in 2023. He was born with Grimes but was kept secret from the public for some time.

3. Family Life and Parenting

• Despite his hectic schedule, Musk often speaks about his dedication to his children. He is known for spending time with them on business trips and vacations.
• He has described his approach to parenting as hands-on, though much of the daily responsibility has been shared with his ex-wives.

4. Unique Lifestyle Choices

• Minimalist Living: Musk, known for his immense wealth, has adopted a minimalist lifestyle. He reportedly sold most of his real estate properties and now lives in a tiny, prefabricated house near SpaceX’s headquarters in Texas, valued at around $50,000.
• Work Ethic: Musk is famously known for his extreme work hours, often working 80-100 hours a week. He splits his time between managing Tesla, SpaceX, and his other ventures.
• Social Media Presence: Musk is very active on social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), where he engages with fans, critics, and even makes major announcements about his companies.

5. Public Image and Controversies

• Twitter Posts: Musk’s frequent and sometimes controversial posts on X have drawn both praise and criticism. He has been involved in several legal battles and SEC investigations over tweets that affected Tesla’s stock price.
• Legal Issues: Musk’s personal life has not been without legal challenges. His highly publicized split from Amber Heard and his relationship with Grimes have often led to media scrutiny.

6. Hobbies and Interests

• Reading: Musk has always been an avid reader. Books, particularly science fiction, played a major role in shaping his vision for the future.
• Gaming: Musk has expressed a passion for video games, both as a child and as an adult. He’s been involved in discussions about the future of gaming, even hinting at potential ventures in the industry.
• Philanthropy: While he’s not as publicly involved in philanthropy as other billionaires, Musk has donated to various causes, including education, clean energy, and space research. In 2021, he made one of the largest single donations in history, contributing $5.7 billion in Tesla stock to charity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is Elon musk from?

Elon Musk is from Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. He was born there on June 28, 1971, and spent his early years in the country before moving to Canada at the age of 17, eventually making his way to the United States for his education and entrepreneurial career.

How old is Elon musk?

Elon Musk was born on June 28, 1971, which makes him 53 years old as of 2024.

How many kids does Elon musk have?

As of 2024, Elon Musk has 10 children.

1. Nevada Alexander Musk (2002) – Passed away at 10 weeks old due to SIDS.
2. Griffin Musk (born 2004) – Twin with Vivian, via IVF with Justine Musk.
3. Vivian Jenna Wilson (born 2004) – Twin with Griffin, formerly Xavier, transitioned and changed her name in 2022.
4. Kai Musk (born 2006) – Triplet with Saxon and Damian, via IVF with Justine Musk.
5. Saxon Musk (born 2006) – Triplet with Kai and Damian.
6. Damian Musk (born 2006) – Triplet with Kai and Saxon.
7. X Æ A-Xii Musk (born 2020) – Son with musician Grimes.
8. Exa Dark Sideræl Musk (born 2021) – Daughter with Grimes, also known as “Y.”
9. Tau Techno Mechanicus (born 2023) – Son with Grimes.

Musk co-parents his children with their respective mothers.

How tall is Elon musk?

Elon Musk is 6 feet 2 inch tall, which is approximately 185 cm.