The Dark Side of Elon Musk’s Family: Errol Musk’s Controversial Past. A secret revealed for the first time: Elon Musk’s father is a wealthy pilot, engineer and real estate developer, especially the information that he owns part of an emerald mine. This is contrary to what Elon Musk said, revealing the conflict between father and son.
“Terrible Human Being”: The Complicated Life of Errol Musk, Father to the World’s Most Famous Billionaire
Errol Musk is a name that stirs up strong emotions. A South African engineer, pilot, and property developer, Errol built a successful career on his own terms. Yet, for most of the world, he’s recognized primarily as the father of Elon Musk—the billionaire CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter)—and as one of the most controversial figures in the Musk family saga. His story is a swirling mix of achievement, scandal, and complex family drama, spanning tales of wealth, mining ventures, and a turbulent relationship with his famous son.
From Ambitious Beginnings to Rumored Riches
Born in South Africa in 1946, Errol Musk was the archetype of an ambitious entrepreneur. He was a skilled engineer, a daring pilot, and a sailor who thrived during a time of great change in his country. Through engineering and property development, Errol amassed a comfortable fortune.
But what truly captured the public’s imagination were rumors of the Musk family’s involvement in the emerald mining business. According to Errol, the family once partly owned an emerald mine in Zambia. In interviews, he claimed that during Elon’s youth, they would sometimes carry emeralds through airport security in their pockets to sell for cash, fueling a life of privilege.
Elon Musk, however, has flatly denied these stories. “We did not have an emerald mine, and I had to work my way through college,” Elon tweeted in 2019, dismissing the tales as exaggerations. Despite his denials, Errol’s claims continue to swirl, adding an enigmatic layer to the Musk family legend.
A Fractured Father-Son Bond
While Errol Musk’s financial history has sparked debate, it’s his relationship with Elon that has drawn the most attention. Elon rarely speaks positively about his father. In a 2017 Rolling Stone interview, he described Errol as “a terrible human being” and alluded to a childhood filled with emotional pain.
“You have no idea how bad,” Elon said at the time. “Almost every crime you can think of, he has done.” While Elon didn’t elaborate on the specifics, the comments painted a picture of a deeply fractured relationship.
Errol, for his part, has dismissed these accusations in interviews, insisting he is a misunderstood man. “I love my children, and I’m very proud of what they’ve accomplished,” he has said, maintaining that his relationship with Elon is “fine”—though Elon’s public statements suggest otherwise.
Scandal and Turmoil
Errol’s personal life has been no less dramatic. He married Maye Musk, a Canadian-South African model and dietitian, in 1970. The couple had three children: Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1979, with Maye later describing their union as tumultuous and emotionally draining.
In recent years, Errol found himself at the center of a media storm after it was revealed he fathered two children with his stepdaughter, Jana Bezuidenhout, who had been part of his family since she was four years old. The revelations provoked outrage and added another layer of controversy to Errol’s already complicated public image.
Errol defended the relationship, insisting it was consensual and his right to live as he wished. “The only thing we are on Earth for is to reproduce,” he told The Sunday Times. For many, though, the situation was deeply troubling, reinforcing Errol’s reputation as an unpredictable and controversial figure.
Living in Elon’s Shadow
It’s impossible to discuss Errol Musk without mentioning his son, Elon. While Errol achieved his own measure of success, it pales in comparison to Elon’s meteoric rise as one of the world’s most influential people. Elon’s companies—Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and X—have revolutionized industries and made him a household name.
Errol has expressed pride in his son’s achievements but often tempers his praise with reminders of the family’s intelligence and resourcefulness. “Elon is successful because he works hard,” Errol has said, while also suggesting that the Musk family’s traits played a significant role.
This dynamic—a father both proud and occasionally dismissive—underscores the tension between them. For Elon, who has publicly shared stories of a difficult childhood, his father’s approval seems complicated at best. For Errol, living in the shadow of his son’s extraordinary fame has undeniably shaped his public persona.
Legacy and Perception
Errol Musk remains an enigmatic figure: a man of real accomplishment, yet overshadowed by scandal and strained family ties. His story raises difficult questions about how personal choices, family dynamics, and public perception intertwine to shape a legacy.
Is he a brilliant, misunderstood entrepreneur whose flaws have been exaggerated? Or is he, as his son claims, a “terrible human being” whose past actions speak for themselves?
Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between. What’s clear is that Errol Musk has lived a life as complicated as the man who now dominates headlines worldwide—his son.
As Elon Musk continues to shape the future of technology and business, the shadow of Errol Musk looms large—a reminder that behind every icon is a family story: messy, human, and far from perfect.
