Elon Musk is a billionaire entrepreneur, inventor, and engineer, best known for founding and leading several high-profile technology companies, including SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and The Boring Company. His ventures are focused on cutting-edge advancements in space exploration, electric vehicles, energy sustainability, artificial intelligence, and transportation infrastructure.
Early Life and Education:
Elon Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa, to a Canadian mother, Maye Musk, and a South African father, Errol Musk. He developed an early interest in computers and technology, teaching himself to program at a young age. At age 12, he sold a computer game he created, called Blastar, to a local magazine.
Musk moved to Canada in 1989 to attend Queen’s University, where he studied for two years before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. He earned two degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the College of Arts and Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of Business. Musk later briefly attended Stanford University for a Ph.D. program in applied physics but dropped out after just two days to pursue business opportunities in technology.
Career and Achievements:
Zip2:
Musk’s first significant business venture was Zip2, a software company he co-founded with his brother Kimbal in 1995. Zip2 provided online city guides for newspapers, and in 1999, it was sold to Compaq for nearly $300 million. Elon Musk received $22 million from the sale.
X.com and PayPal:
In 1999, Musk founded X.com, an online payment company. The company eventually became PayPal after a merger, which focused on simplifying payments on the internet. In 2002, eBay acquired PayPal for $1.5 billion in stock, and Musk earned $165 million from the sale.
SpaceX:
In 2002, Musk founded Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and making space exploration more accessible. SpaceX has achieved numerous milestones, including the first privately funded spacecraft to reach orbit, the first private company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station, and the development of reusable rocket technology. SpaceX also focuses on the ambitious goal of establishing a human colony on Mars. Musk has also announced plans for the Starship spacecraft, designed for missions to Mars, the Moon, and beyond.
Tesla, Inc.:
In 2004, Musk joined Tesla Motors (now Tesla, Inc.) as chairman of the board, and he became its CEO in 2008. Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy, and the company is best known for its electric vehicles (EVs), which include models like the Tesla Roadster, Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y. Under Musk’s leadership, Tesla revolutionized the EV industry, achieving widespread popularity and advancing battery technology, solar energy solutions, and self-driving cars. Tesla’s growth made Musk one of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
Neuralink:
In 2016, Musk co-founded Neuralink, a neurotechnology company that is developing brain-machine interfaces. The goal of Neuralink is to help treat neurological conditions and enhance human cognitive abilities through advanced technology, potentially enabling people to merge with artificial intelligence (AI).
The Boring Company:
Musk also founded The Boring Company in 2016 to address traffic congestion by creating underground transportation tunnels. The company is focused on building high-speed transportation systems known as Loop or Hyperloop, which would use electric vehicles to travel through low-pressure tunnels.
Personal Life:
Musk has been a prominent and sometimes controversial figure in the media, known for his bold statements, unconventional behavior, and active presence on social media, especially Twitter (now X). He has made headlines for both his professional and personal life, including high-profile relationships, such as with actress Talulah Riley and pop star Grimes, with whom he shares children. Musk has also faced criticism over workplace culture, labor practices, and public remarks, but his ventures continue to shape several major industries.
Wealth and Influence:
Musk’s net worth fluctuates with the stock performance of his companies, but he has frequently been ranked as one of the wealthiest people globally. As of early 2025, Musk’s wealth is primarily tied to the success of Tesla and SpaceX, along with his various ventures.
He has consistently stated that his long-term goals are to reduce the risks of human extinction (via space exploration and life on Mars) and to accelerate the development of sustainable energy solutions.
Legacy:
Musk is considered one of the most influential entrepreneurs of the 21st century. He has dramatically impacted multiple industries, including space exploration, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy. His ambitious goals and innovative approach to technology have earned him a place among the most visionary and controversial figures in modern history.