Most people know Elon Musk as the world’s richest person. Fewer know the complicated story of his father, Errol Musk. This story of the Musk family patriarch is filled with controversy, adventure, and headlines. Therefore, let us explore the life of the man who helped create a genius.
Born in 1946 in Pretoria, South Africa, Errol Graham Musk has worn many hats. He is an engineer, businessman, pilot, sailor, and former politician. This journey through his extraordinary life reveals a figure as complex as his famous son. The chapter of the Musk family history he represents is both fascinating and troubling.
Who Is Errol Musk? The Engineer Behind the Genius
Errol Musk comes from a family of adventurers and pioneers. His grandmother was Canada’s first chiropractor. His parents were the first people to fly from South Africa to Australia in a single-engine plane [citation:1][citation:5]. Consequently, innovation runs deep in the Musk bloodline.
Professionally, Errol worked as an electromechanical engineering consultant. He also developed properties and invested in various ventures, including emerald trading. He was the youngest person to qualify as a professional engineer in South Africa [citation:5]. Therefore, his technical mind clearly influenced his children.
Elon Musk himself has credited his father for his engineering abilities. “I’m naturally good at engineering—that’s because I inherited it from my father,” Elon told Rolling Stone. “What’s very difficult for others is easy for me” [citation:1][citation:5].
Errol Musk’s Political Career and Anti-Apartheid Stance
From 1972 to 1983, Errol served on the Pretoria City Council. He was a member of the Progressive Federal Party from 1980 onwards. He was an outspoken advocate for abolishing apartheid [citation:2][citation:5]. This liberal stance influenced his children’s political awareness.
Errol reportedly resigned from the council over political disagreements. Despite his political involvement, his relationship with his children has been strained for decades. The family dynamics remain complicated to this day.
Marriage to Maye Musk and the Birth of Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca
Errol married Maye Haldeman, a model, in 1970. Their first son, Elon, arrived in 1971, followed by Kimbal in 1972 and Tosca in 1974. The family lived in suburban Pretoria during these early years [citation:4].
The marriage ended in divorce in 1979. Maye has claimed Errol was abusive, allegations he has consistently denied [citation:2][citation:4]. After the divorce, the children initially stayed with Maye before Elon moved in with his father at around age 10.
Elon later called this decision a “mistake.” He told Rolling Stone: “I felt sorry for my father, because my mother had all three kids. He seemed very sad and lonely” [citation:4]. His move to live with Errol would have lasting consequences.
The Estrangement: Why Elon Calls His Father “Evil”
The relationship between father and son has deteriorated dramatically over the years. In a tearful 2017 Rolling Stone interview, Elon called his father “a terrible human being.” He claimed Errol had committed “almost every crime you can possibly think of” [citation:1][citation:5].
Elon clarified that his father was never physically abusive toward him. However, he described Errol’s behaviour as “evil” and “carefully thought-out.” He has tried everything to mend their relationship—threats, rewards, arguments—but nothing worked [citation:5].
Errol has responded to these allegations over the years. He told Rolling Stone that he loves his children and would “readily do whatever for them.” He also acknowledged being called “ruthless” by his own mother [citation:5][citation:8].
The Emerald Mine Claim: Truth or Fiction?
One of the most persistent stories involves an emerald mine. Errol has claimed he once owned a Zambian emerald mine. He allegedly invested $28,000 of proceeds from that mine into Elon and Kimbal’s first company, Zip2 [citation:1].
Elon has vehemently denied this story. “He didn’t own an emerald mine, and I worked my way through college, ending up ~$100k in student debt,” Elon tweeted in 2019 [citation:5]. The funding for Zip2 came from angel investors, not his father, according to Elon.
Despite Elon’s denials, the emerald mine story has become part of Musk family lore. The truth likely lies somewhere between both versions. Consequently, this dispute remains unresolved.
The Shooting: Errol Kills Three Home Invaders
One of the most dramatic events in Errol’s life occurred in 1998. He reportedly shot and killed three armed intruders who broke into his Johannesburg property. According to his account, seven burglars entered the unfurnished house and began firing [citation:1][citation:5].
Errol managed to retrieve his .357 Magnum gun from the bathroom. “They opened up on me. I killed three. One bullet went through two of them,” he told The Sun [citation:1]. Manslaughter charges were later dropped because he acted in self-defence [citation:5].
Some reports suggest Elon witnessed this shooting. Errol has denied that Elon was present [citation:5]. Regardless, the incident added to the family’s dramatic mythology.
Errol Musk’s Controversial Relationship with His Step-Daughter
Errol’s personal life took an even more controversial turn in recent years. After divorcing his second wife, Heide Bezuidenhout, he began a relationship with her daughter, Jana Bezuidenhout. He had known Jana since she was just four years old [citation:4][citation:5].
The couple welcomed two children together: a son named Elliot “Rushi” Rush in 2017, and a daughter in 2019 [citation:1][citation:4]. Errol has called their relationship part of “God’s plan or nature’s plan” [citation:4].
His other children reportedly felt “creepy” about the situation. The relationship reportedly drove a further wedge between Errol and Elon. Nevertheless, Errol has defended his choices openly.
Errol’s Children: Seven Offspring Across Multiple Relationships
Like his famous son, Errol has fathered seven children. With first wife Maye, he had Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca. second wife Heide Bezuidenhout, he had two daughters, Alexandra “Ali” and Asha Rose Musk [citation:1][citation:4].
With his former step-daughter Jana Bezuidenhout, he had his two youngest children. Errol has expressed unconventional views on reproduction. “The only thing we are on Earth for is to reproduce,” he told The Sun [citation:5][citation:8].
He has compared having children to breeding horses in other interviews. This philosophy has drawn widespread criticism and media attention.
Errol Musk in 2025: India Visit and Advice to Elon
In June 2025, Errol Musk made his first-ever visit to India. He was appointed to the Global Advisory Board of Servotech Power Systems, a company focused on EV charging and solar solutions [citation:1][citation:7].
During the trip, he offered simple advice to his billionaire son. “Get some rest,” he told reporters. “He is a workaholic. So, keep it up if you can. But I do say this to him whenever we talk: ‘try and take a break'” [citation:7].
He also expressed surprise that Elon has never visited India. “I am quite surprised that he has not been in India yet. If he has not, he is making a big mistake,” Errol said. He praised Neuralink as the Musk project that fascinates him the most [citation:7].
FAQs
Who is Errol Musk?
Errol Musk is the father of Elon Musk, the world’s richest person. He is a South African engineer, businessman, pilot, sailor, and former politician. He served on the Pretoria City Council from 1972 to 1983.
How many children does Errol Musk have?
Errol Musk has seven children. Three with first wife Maye (Elon, Kimbal, Tosca), two with second wife Heide (Alexandra and Asha Rose), and two with his former step-daughter Jana Bezuidenhout.
What is Errol Musk’s relationship with Elon Musk?
The relationship is extremely strained. Elon has called his father “a terrible human being” and “evil” in interviews. Elon moved in with Errol at age 10 but later called that decision a “mistake.”
Did Errol Musk own an emerald mine?<brerrol has="" claimed="" he="" once="" owned="" a="" zambian="" emerald="" mine.="" elon="" denied="" this="" claim.="" the="" truth="" of="" matter="" remains="" disputed="" between="" father="" and="" son.
Did Errol Musk kill three home invaders?
Yes, in 1998, Errol reportedly shot and killed three armed intruders who broke into his Johannesburg home. Manslaughter charges were dropped after he claimed self-defence.
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