Elon Reeve Musk, born on June 28, 1971, is one of the most influential and innovative entrepreneurs of the modern era. He is best known for his leadership roles in SpaceX and Tesla, Inc., as well as his ownership of X Corp., the company operating the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Additionally, he played a key role in founding The Boring Company, xAI, Neuralink, and OpenAI, contributing to advancements in artificial intelligence, space exploration, and renewable energy. As of January 2025, Forbes estimates his net worth at $421 billion, making him the world’s richest person.
Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa, into a wealthy family. His father, Errol Musk, was an engineer, while his mother, Maye Musk, was a model and dietitian. From an early age, Musk displayed a keen interest in technology, teaching himself programming at the age of 10. By 12, he had developed and sold a video game called Blastar. Despite his intelligence, he struggled with bullying throughout his childhood.
At 17, Musk moved to Canada, obtaining citizenship through his mother. He attended Queen’s University before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in economics and physics. In 1995, he moved to California to pursue a Ph.D. at Stanford University, but he dropped out after just two days to enter the tech industry.
Musk’s entrepreneurial career began with Zip2, a software company he co-founded with his brother Kimbal Musk. The company provided online business directories and maps for newspapers. In 1999, Compaq acquired Zip2 for $307 million, marking Musk’s first major success. He then co-founded X.com, an online banking platform, which later became PayPal. In 2002, eBay acquired PayPal for $1.5 billion, and Musk used $100 million from the sale to start SpaceX.
Initially, SpaceX faced financial struggles and multiple failed rocket launches, nearly leading to bankruptcy. However, in 2008, SpaceX secured a $1.6 billion NASA contract to develop commercial cargo flights to the International Space Station. Since then, it has become a leader in aerospace innovation, pioneering reusable rockets and developing plans for Mars colonization.
Alongside SpaceX, Musk helped transform Tesla, Inc. into the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer. Under his leadership, Tesla introduced Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y, pushing advancements in battery technology and self-driving systems.
Beyond Tesla and SpaceX, Musk founded The Boring Company, which focuses on underground transportation, and Neuralink, which develops brain-machine interfaces. He also launched xAI, a company dedicated to artificial intelligence research.
Despite his success, Musk remains a controversial figure due to his outspoken nature and bold business decisions. However, his vision continues to shape industries and redefine technological possibilities.
