Elon Musk, 55, leads Tesla and SpaceX and founded xAI. Explore his net worth, education, former wives, children, business career and major developments in 2026.
Elon Musk is a South African-born American entrepreneur and businessman best known for leading Tesla and SpaceX. He has built businesses in electric vehicles, space exploration, artificial intelligence and digital technology. This Elon Musk biography explores his early life, education, companies, net worth, relationships and achievements. At 55, he remains one of the world’s wealthiest and most influential business figures.
Musk’s journey began with internet startups in the 1990s before expanding into industries that required enormous investment. His companies have helped advance reusable rockets and popularize electric cars. However, his business decisions, political activities and public statements have also attracted criticism and controversy.
Quick Facts About Elon Musk
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elon Reeve Musk |
| Date of Birth | 28 June 1971 |
| Age | 55 years (as of October 2026) |
| Birthplace | Pretoria, South Africa |
| Nationalities | South African, Canadian, American |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Investor and Business Executive |
| Famous For | Tesla, SpaceX, X, xAI and PayPal |
| Father | Errol Musk |
| Mother | Maye Musk |
| Siblings | Kimbal Musk and Tosca Musk |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Former Wives | Justine Wilson and Talulah Riley |
| Children | At least 14 publicly reported |
| Education | University of Pennsylvania |
| Net Worth | Fluctuated around $1 trillion in October 2026 |
| Major Recognition | Time Person of the Year (2021) |
Early Life and Family Background in South Africa
Elon Musk was born on 28 June 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa, to Errol Musk and Maye Musk. His father worked in engineering and property development, while his mother built a career as a model and dietitian. He grew up with his younger brother, Kimbal, and sister, Tosca. His parents divorced during his childhood.
Musk developed an interest in computers, science and reading from an early age. He taught himself computer programming and created a video game called Blastar when he was about 12 years old. He later sold the game’s code to a computer magazine. These early experiences encouraged his interest in technology and entrepreneurship.
Elon Musk’s Education and Move to America
Musk attended school in South Africa before moving to Canada in 1989. He enrolled at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he studied for approximately two years. He subsequently transferred to the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. There, he studied physics and economics.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Musk moved to California in 1995. He briefly pursued plans for graduate study at Stanford University but decided to enter the rapidly expanding internet industry. That decision marked the beginning of his business career.
How Zip2 and PayPal Started Elon Musk’s Career
Musk’s first major business venture was Zip2, an internet software company he established with his brother Kimbal in 1995. The company provided online business directories and mapping services, primarily for newspapers. As internet adoption increased, Zip2 attracted corporate interest. Compaq acquired the company in 1999 for approximately $307 million.
Following the sale, Musk founded X.com, an online financial services company. It later merged with Confinity, a business associated with the digital payment service PayPal. The combined operation eventually adopted the PayPal name. When eBay acquired PayPal for $1.5 billion in 2002, Musk received a substantial payout that helped finance his next ventures.
Founding SpaceX and Transforming Space Exploration
In 2002, Musk founded Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, commonly known as SpaceX. His objective was to reduce rocket launch costs and make space travel more affordable. He also expressed a long-term ambition to establish human settlements beyond Earth. The company’s early years were marked by technical difficulties and unsuccessful rocket launches.
SpaceX achieved a breakthrough in September 2008 when its Falcon 1 became the first privately developed liquid-fueled rocket to reach orbit. In 2012, its Dragon spacecraft became the first commercial spacecraft to reach the International Space Station. The company achieved another milestone in 2015 by successfully landing a Falcon 9 rocket booster.
SpaceX subsequently expanded into astronaut transportation and satellite internet through Starlink. Its Starship program has also pursued a fully reusable rocket system for future missions. In June 2026, SpaceX went public, becoming one of the most valuable publicly traded companies. This development significantly increased Musk’s estimated wealth.
Elon Musk’s Tesla Career and Electric Car Success
Although Musk is widely described as a Tesla founder, the company was originally established in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Musk became a major investor and board chairman in 2004. He took over as chief executive officer in 2008, helping guide the company’s development. A subsequent legal settlement also recognized him as one of Tesla’s co-founders.
Under Musk’s leadership, Tesla introduced vehicles including the Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y. The company expanded electric vehicle production while developing battery storage and solar energy products. Its growth helped accelerate interest in electric cars across the global automotive industry. Tesla later expanded its ambitions into autonomous driving technology and robotics.
Twitter, X, xAI and His Artificial Intelligence Businesses
Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022 in a transaction valued at approximately $44 billion. He subsequently renamed the social media platform X and introduced changes to its operations, verification system and content policies. His stated ambition was to develop a broader digital platform offering multiple services. However, some decisions attracted criticism from advertisers, users and regulators.
In 2023, Musk launched xAI, an artificial intelligence company responsible for developing the Grok chatbot. X became part of xAI in 2025, and SpaceX acquired xAI in February 2026. The restructuring connected Musk’s interests in artificial intelligence, social media and space technology. Musk was also among OpenAI’s co-founders in 2015, although he later left its board.
Neuralink and The Boring Company
Musk also helped establish Neuralink, a neurotechnology company developing brain-computer interfaces. Its research focuses on technologies that may help people with certain neurological conditions interact with computers. The company has progressed to human clinical studies, although its technology remains under development.
Another venture, The Boring Company, develops tunnel construction and transportation infrastructure. Musk established the business to explore alternatives to urban traffic congestion. Both companies reflect his interest in applying engineering to complex problems.
Elon Musk’s Net Worth and Financial Success in 2026
Elon Musk’s wealth comes primarily from his ownership interests in SpaceX and Tesla. His fortune has changed dramatically because company valuations and share prices fluctuate. Forbes estimated his net worth at approximately $936 billion on 1 October 2026, with subsequent market movements pushing the estimate above $1 trillion again.
SpaceX’s public listing in June 2026 made Musk the first person whose estimated wealth reached $1 trillion. However, this figure represents the estimated value of his assets rather than money held in cash. His exact net worth changes with financial market conditions.
Elon Musk’s Wife, Marriages and Children
Elon Musk has been married to two women. His first wife was Canadian author Justine Wilson, whom he married in 2000. They had six children together, although their first son, Nevada Alexander, died during infancy. The couple divorced in 2008.
Musk later married British actress Talulah Riley in 2010. They divorced in 2012, remarried in 2013 and finalized another divorce in 2016. He subsequently had relationships with other women, including musician Grimes. As of 2026, at least 14 of his children have been publicly reported, including his son who died in infancy.
Political Activities, DOGE and Public Controversies
Musk became increasingly involved in American politics, particularly during the 2024 presidential election. He supported Donald Trump’s campaign and later played a prominent role in the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, during 2025. The initiative sought to reduce federal spending and restructure government operations. His involvement sparked debates over transparency, public services and conflicts of interest.
Musk has also faced legal and regulatory scrutiny concerning his businesses and public statements. In 2018, he reached a settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission over statements about taking Tesla private. He stepped down as Tesla’s board chairman and paid a financial penalty. His leadership of X and approach to content moderation have generated further controversy.
Major Achievements and Global Influence
Musk was named Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2021, reflecting his influence on technology and business. His companies have contributed to advances in commercial spaceflight, electric vehicles and satellite communications. SpaceX’s reusable rockets, in particular, changed expectations about the cost of launching spacecraft.
Nevertheless, his legacy remains debated. Supporters credit him with accelerating technological innovation, while critics question aspects of his management, political influence and public conduct. His lasting impact will depend partly on the results of his ambitious projects.
Final Thoughts
Elon Musk’s biography tells the story of an entrepreneur who moved from internet startups into industries once dominated by established corporations and governments. His involvement with Tesla, SpaceX and artificial intelligence has brought major achievements alongside substantial challenges.
Whether viewed as an innovative businessman or a controversial public figure, Musk has influenced how industries approach transportation, communication and technology. His career demonstrates both the opportunities and responsibilities that accompany extraordinary business success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How old is Elon Musk in 2026?
Elon Musk is 55 years old as of October 2026. He was born on 28 June 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa.
Q2: What is Elon Musk’s net worth in 2026?
His estimated net worth fluctuated around $1 trillion during October 2026. Most of his wealth comes from his ownership stakes in SpaceX and Tesla.
Q3: Who is Elon Musk’s wife?
Elon Musk is currently divorced. His former wives are Justine Wilson and Talulah Riley, whom he married twice.
Q4: How many children does Elon Musk have?
At least 14 children have been publicly reported, including his first child, who died during infancy. He has children with several women, including Justine Wilson, Grimes and Shivon Zilis.
Q5: What companies does Elon Musk own or lead?
Musk leads Tesla and SpaceX and has founded or helped establish businesses including xAI, Neuralink and The Boring Company. His business interests also include X, formerly Twitter, which became part of his wider SpaceX group.
Q6: Where did Elon Musk study?
He attended Queen’s University in Canada before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania. He earned undergraduate degrees in physics and economics.
Q7: How did Elon Musk become rich?
