Elon Musk is often viewed as a self-made entrepreneur, but his origins tell a different story—one shaped by privilege, ambition, and family complexities. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1971, Musk grew up under the influence of two strikingly different parents: his mother, Maye, a fiercely independent woman who built her own career in the modeling and nutrition industries, and his father, Errol, an engineer with a sharp mind but a controversial legacy.
Their impact on Musk’s upbringing—and the differences in how they recall his childhood—paint a fascinating picture of the environment that shaped one of the world’s most influential figures.
Musk’s childhood was marked by both privilege and struggle. While his father claims he grew up with access to wealth, Elon has often spoken about a difficult and isolating childhood. His relationship with Errol has remained strained, while his bond with Maye has only strengthened over time.
To understand the world’s richest man, it’s essential to explore the family that raised him.
Who Are Elon Musk’s Parents?
Maye Musk: The Model and Businesswoman Who Never Stopped Hustling
Born in Canada on April 19, 1948, Maye Musk (née Haldeman) had an adventurous start to life. Her parents, Winnifred and Joshua Norman Haldeman, were fearless explorers who moved the family to South Africa in 1950. They made history in 1952 by flying a propeller plane around the world and spent years searching for the Lost City of the Kalahari. That same spirit of adventure and resilience became a defining trait in Maye’s life.
By her teens, Maye had stepped into the world of modeling, and in 1969, she became a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant. But she didn’t stop at being just a pretty face. She pursued her education with equal determination, earning two master’s degrees in dietetics and nutritional science. While building a career as a successful dietitian, she continued modeling, proving that beauty and brains could coexist.
When her marriage to Errol Musk ended in 1979, Maye was left to raise her three children—Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca—on her own. She worked multiple jobs to provide for them, often struggling to make ends meet.
In her later years, she saw a resurgence in her modeling career, gracing the covers of major magazines like Vogue, Time, and Sports Illustrated. Even in her seventies, Maye remains an inspiration for women worldwide, proving that reinvention and success have no age limit.
Errol Musk: The Engineer With a Controversial Legacy
Errol Graham Musk, born in 1946, was a South African electromechanical engineer, pilot, sailor, and property developer. Highly intelligent and business-savvy, he claimed to have been involved in multiple ventures, including a partial ownership of an emerald mine in Zambia—an assertion that Elon later disputed.
Unlike Maye, Errol had a more controversial and divisive presence in Elon’s life. He was politically active, serving on the Pretoria City Council as a member of the anti-apartheid Progressive Party. Despite this, Elon has painted a harsh picture of his father, describing him as “evil” and alleging emotional abuse.
According to Musk, Errol had a talent for manipulation and cruelty, making life at home difficult.
Errol, however, has countered these claims, insisting that Elon had a privileged upbringing. He once stated in an interview that Elon was driven to school in a Rolls-Royce, contradicting the billionaire’s repeated claims of a difficult and lonely childhood. The father and son have been estranged for years, with Elon rarely speaking about him publicly except to express his disdain.
In a surprising and widely criticized revelation, Errol fathered a child with his stepdaughter, Jana Bezuidenhout, who was 35 years younger than him. This only added to the strained dynamic between him and his children, reinforcing his controversial public image.
Elon Musk’s Siblings: Kimbal and Tosca
Elon isn’t the only successful Musk sibling—his brother Kimbal and sister Tosca have carved out their own careers in different industries.
Kimbal Musk, born in 1972, is a restaurateur and entrepreneur. He co-founded The Kitchen Restaurant Group and has been deeply involved in sustainable food initiatives. Through his nonprofit, Big Green, he has helped introduce learning gardens in schools to promote healthy eating habits.
Like Elon, Kimbal has an interest in business and technology, but he has focused his efforts on food rather than space or artificial intelligence.
Tosca Musk, the youngest of the three, pursued a career in filmmaking. She is the founder of Passionflix, a streaming service dedicated to romance films, catering to a niche audience of romance novel enthusiasts. Tosca has made a name for herself as a filmmaker and producer, proving that the Musk family talent extends beyond tech and business.
Despite their different career paths, the Musk siblings remain close. Kimbal has frequently supported Elon’s ventures, serving on the board of Tesla and often appearing alongside him at events. Tosca has expressed admiration for her brothers but prefers to stay out of the media spotlight.
Family Dynamics: Wealth, Divorce, and Estrangement
The Musk family’s story is one of both privilege and hardship. Maye and Errol’s divorce in 1979 led to a major shift in their children’s lives. While Elon initially chose to live with his father, he later regretted the decision, describing his time with Errol as painful and difficult.
Kimbal and Tosca, on the other hand, spent more time with their mother, who moved to Canada in 1989 to start a new life.
Over the years, the contrast between Elon’s relationships with his parents has been stark. Maye is often seen at Tesla events, SpaceX launches, and even at the Met Gala by his side. She has always been vocal about her pride in Elon and his achievements.
Errol, however, has remained largely estranged from his son, making occasional media appearances where he contradicts Elon’s claims about their past.
