The innovator, entrepreneur, and the hero of electric mobility Mr. Elon Musk is known for developing the latest cutting-edge technologies.
He is the world’s richest man and the founder of Tesla and Space X. Last year he has also purchased twitter.com which is now renamed to X.com.
He aims to reach Mars in his lifetime and build a human colony on the martial soil.
Elon has been praised for his exemplary work in the world of technology namely for developing Tesla motors, Solar City (an initiative to generate power using solar energy, which was later acquired by Tesla), Hyperloop (A hyper-speed Vactrain transportation system), Nueralink (a neurotechnology company developing brain-computer interfaces) and the boring company (a tunnel making company aimed to improve the commutes in a city)
Recently Elon Musk has been vocal about something that made him a figure of ridicule especially in the COVID-19 pandemic. He was criticized for taking extreme right-wing views and being anti-Semitic.
Early Life
Elon Musk was born on 27th June 1971 to Errol Musk and Maye in Pretoria, South Africa.
His father is an electromechanical engineer, pilot, sailor, emerald dealer, and property developer. His mother is a model and a dietician born in Saskatchewan, Canada, and raised in South Africa.
Elon being the eldest of his siblings, has one younger brother Kimbal, and a younger sister Tosca.
As his father had several businesses, the family was wealthy. His father was also elected to the Pretoria City Council as a representative of the anti-apartheid Progressive Party.
His grandfather Joshua N. Haldeman an American-born Canadian, took his family on several adventurous trips on a single-engine Bellanca airplane to Africa and Australia. He died when Elon was still a toddler.
Elon’s parents got divorced in the year 1980 and Elon chose to stay with his father, a decision he regretted later and got estranged with his father in the coming years.
Elon attended Bryanston High School, a state-run English medium co-education school in Bryanston. There is an incident in which Elon had been beaten by a fellow student and was hospitalized.
Since childhood, Elon has been a great enthusiast of books, and he later attributed his success to reading books like the lord of the rings, Foundation Series, and the hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Education
Elon Musk was a good student, he attended Waterkloof House Preparatory School, Bryanston High School, and then Pretoria Boys High School, where he graduated. While he was a good student he was not an outstanding one. He scored average marks in his schooling.
He migrated to Canada with the help of his mother who is a Canadian citizen, knowing it would be easier to migrate to the USA. While he migrated to Canada, he did odd jobs like working on a farm and a lumber mill and ensured he earned his living.
Musk arrived in Canada in June 1989. In 1990, he entered Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.
Two years after coming to Canada Elon transferred to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadephia and earned two degrees, a bachelor of arts in physics and a bachelor of science in economics from the university’s whartan school.
He reportedly hosted large, ticketed house parties to help pay for tuition, and wrote a business plan for an electronic book-scanning service similar to Google Books.
In 1994, Musk held two internships in Silicon Valley: one at energy storage startup Pinnacle Research Institute, which investigated electrolytic ultracapacitors for energy storage, and another at Palo Alto-based startup Rocket Science Games.
In 1995, he was accepted to a graduate program in materials science at Stanford University but did not enroll.
Musk decided to join the Internet boom, applying for a job at Netscape, to which he reportedly never received a response.
Companies
Known as a serial entrepreneur Elon Musk founded many companies by selling the shares of one company to build another company. His first stint started at ZIP2.
Zip2
Elon and his brothers Kimbal and Greg Kouri founded a global link information network, which was later renamed as Zip2.
The company’s main product was a city guide with maps, directions, and yellow pages. Mr. Musk coded every day at night to bring the product to life.
Later Zip was acquired by Compaq at $307 and elon received $22 million for his 7% share.
X.com and Paypal
In March 1999, musk co-founded X.com, which is an online financial services and e-payment company with the $12 million he made with Zip2. X.com was the world’s first online bank which was federally insured.
In 2000, X.com merged with the online bank Confinity to avoid competition, as the latter’s money-transfer service PayPal was more popular than X.com’s service. Musk then returned as CEO of the merged company. His preference for Microsoft- over Unix-based software caused a rift among the company’s employees and eventually led Confinity co-founder Peter Thiel to resign.
With the company suffering from compounding technological issues and the lack of a cohesive business model, the board ousted Musk and replaced him with Thiel in September 2000. Under Thiel, the company focused on the money-transfer service and was renamed PayPal in 2001.
In 2002, PayPal was acquired by eBay for $1.5 billion in stock, of which Musk—PayPal’s largest shareholder with 11.7% of shares—received $176 million. In 2017, more than 15 years later, Musk purchased the X.com domain from PayPal for its “sentimental value”. In 2022, Musk discussed a goal of creating “X, the everything app”.
Space X
In the year 2001, musk started working with a non-profit group called “Mars Society” which promotes human exploration and wants to colonize Mars. Mr. Musk then went to Russia to buy three intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) to be reused to travel to space.
He was offered one missile for $8 million but Elon rejected the proposal and instead invested $100 million in a company to develop affordable rockets. Musk founded the company SpaceX in March 2002 and became the CEO and chief engineer.
SpaceX launched its first rocket Falcon 1 in the year 2006, but it failed. However, it was awarded a contract from NASA to develop commercial orbital transportation. However Mr. Musk couldn’t succeed even after two attempts, Space X was about to go bankrupt and then luckily SpaceX launched falcon1 into orbit in 2008.
SpaceX was then awarded a contract of $1.6 billion Commercial Resupply Services contract from NASA for 12 flights of its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS), replacing the Space Shuttle after its 2011 retirement. In 2012, the Dragon vehicle docked with the ISS, a first for a commercial spacecraft.
SpaceX started working towards the concept of reusable rockets and in 2012, they were successfully able to land their Falcon 9 on Earth after its mission of sending the payload in orbit. Later, landings were attempted on a remote-operated drone ship and they were successful.
In 2018, musk launched the Tesla Roadster as a dummy payload into space using the Falcon heavy launcher. SpaceX has been developing Starship, a fully reusable, super-heavy-lift launch vehicle intended to replace the Falcon 9 and the Falcon Heavy.
In 2020, SpaceX launched its first crewed flight, the Demo-2, becoming the first private company to place astronauts into orbit and dock a crewed spacecraft with the ISS. In 2024, NASA awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to deorbit the ISS at the end of its lifespan.
Neuralink
In 2016, Musk co-founded Neuralink, a neurotechnology startup company, with an investment of $100 million. Neuralink aims to integrate the human brain with artificial intelligence (AI) by creating devices that are embedded in the brain.
Such technology could enhance memory or allow the devices to communicate with software. The company also hopes to develop devices with which to treat neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and spinal cord injuries.
In 2019, Musk announced work on a device akin to a sewing machine that could embed threads into a human brain. In an October 2019 paper that detailed some of Neuralink’s research,[188] Musk was listed as the sole author, which rankled Neuralink researchers.
At a 2020 live demonstration, Musk described one of their early devices as “a Fitbit in your skull” that could soon cure paralysis, deafness, blindness, and other disabilities. Many neuroscientists and publications criticized these claims, with MIT Technology Review describing them as “highly speculative” and “neuroscience theater”.
During the demonstration, Musk revealed a pig with a Neuralink implant that tracked neural activity related to smell. In 2022, Neuralink announced that clinical trials would begin by the end of the year.
Tesla
Tesla, Inc., founded in 2003 by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, is an American company primarily focused on electric vehicles (EVs) and sustainable energy. While Elon Musk joined the company in 2004 as an early investor and eventually became its CEO, Tesla has since grown from a niche EV manufacturer into a global leader in clean energy and transportation innovation.
The company’s mission is clear: “to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”
Tesla is best known for revolutionizing the automotive industry by proving that electric vehicles can be both practical and desirable. The company debuted its first production vehicle, the Roadster, in 2008, which showcased its capability by offering a range of 245 miles per charge, a milestone in EV technology.
The Roadster’s performance challenged the notion that EVs lacked speed and style, and it was soon followed by Tesla’s more accessible models.
The Model S, released in 2012, marked Tesla’s first all-electric luxury sedan. It offered a combination of performance, range, and high-tech features, like over-the-air software updates, that were previously unheard of in the auto industry. Tesla’s Autopilot system, introduced in this model, became a signature feature, providing semi-autonomous driving capabilities and setting a new benchmark for safety and innovation.
The success of the Model S led to a more diverse lineup, including the Model X (a luxury SUV) and Model 3, a more affordable option that made electric vehicles accessible to a broader consumer base. The Model 3, released in 2017, became one of the best-selling EVs worldwide, solidifying Tesla’s dominance in the electric vehicle market.
The latest addition, the Model Y, a compact SUV, has also become a significant driver of Tesla’s sales.
Tesla’s vehicles are praised for their impressive range, acceleration, minimalist design, and cutting-edge technology, but they are also central to the larger clean energy movement. With a focus on sustainability, Tesla has pushed forward the transition from fossil fuels to electric power in transportation, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of road vehicles globally.
Beyond electric vehicles, Tesla is deeply committed to renewable energy through its Tesla Energy division, which focuses on energy generation and storage. Products like the Powerwall, a home battery system, and the Powerpack, a commercial energy storage solution, allow customers to store solar energy and reduce reliance on the grid.
Tesla’s Solar Roof integrates photovoltaic cells into roof tiles, offering a seamless way to generate solar power for homes and businesses.
Tesla has also engaged in large-scale energy projects, such as the construction of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery in South Australia, designed to stabilize the local grid. This is part of the company’s broader mission to integrate sustainable energy solutions into everyday life.
Tesla has faced its share of challenges, from production delays to regulatory scrutiny, particularly around its Autopilot feature. However, the company continues to push boundaries.
It’s investing in new technologies, such as the upcoming Cybertruck and Tesla Semi, both of which aim to disrupt their respective markets. Tesla’s focus on battery advancements, including its work on in-house battery production with Tesla Gigafactories, promises to extend vehicle range and lower costs.
As Tesla continues to grow, it plays an essential role in the broader transition to a sustainable energy future. The company’s innovations, vision, and bold approach to solving some of the planet’s most pressing problems keep it at the forefront of the clean energy revolution.
Philanthropic activities
Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur known for his leadership at Tesla and SpaceX, has also engaged in significant philanthropic efforts, though they are often overshadowed by his business ventures. Musk’s philanthropy is driven by a focus on humanity’s long-term survival and the promotion of science and education.
One of his most notable contributions is through the Musk Foundation, established in 2002. The foundation supports renewable energy, human space exploration, artificial intelligence safety, and STEM education. In 2020, Musk made headlines by pledging $100 million for a carbon capture competition, encouraging innovations in climate change mitigation.
Musk has also donated to education initiatives. In 2015, he contributed $10 million to the Future of Life Institute to research artificial intelligence safety. Additionally, Musk has made generous donations to fund the development of STEM programs and provided $1 million to the construction of The Nikola Tesla Museum in 2012, preserving the legacy of the scientist who inspired his company’s name.
Beyond scientific endeavors, Musk contributed to COVID-19 relief efforts, donating ventilators and medical supplies to hospitals in need during the pandemic. He also pledged $5 million to Khan Academy, supporting free online education.
While some critics argue Musk’s philanthropy is less publicized compared to other billionaires, his contributions are significant and align closely with his vision of ensuring humanity’s future and advancing scientific innovation.
Personal life
Musk has been married three times, twice to actress Talulah Riley. He has six children with his first wife, Justine Wilson, though their first child tragically died of SIDS in 2002. Musk and Canadian musician Grimes (Claire Boucher) made headlines in 2020 when they welcomed their son, X Æ A-12, a name that generated much public curiosity. In 2022, they had a second child, Exa Dark Sideræl, born via surrogate.
Musk is known for his intense work ethic, often stating that he works up to 100 hours a week. Despite his hectic schedule, he tries to spend time with his children and has spoken publicly about the importance of fatherhood.
Musk’s hobbies include reading, playing video games, and watching science fiction, all of which influence his long-term visions for humanity’s future, from space exploration to sustainable energy solutions. Though often seen as enigmatic and intense, Musk’s personal life reflects the same ambition and complexity as his professional endeavors.
