Elon Musk
Business • Technology • Updated December 2025
Photo credit: CNBC Commons
Biography Overview
Elon Reeve Musk is a billionaire entrepreneur and technology executive known for leading Tesla, SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), and xAI. Since 2021, he has consistently ranked as the world’s wealthiest individual, with an estimated net worth of approximately $754 billion as of late 2025.
Early Life & Education
Full Name: Elon Reeve Musk
Date of Birth: June 28, 1971
Age: 54 (as of 2025)
Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa, and holds South African, Canadian, and U.S. citizenship. He emigrated to Canada in 1989 and later moved to the United States. He earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Family Background
Musk is the son of Maye Musk, a model and dietitian, and Errol Musk, an engineer and property developer. He has two siblings and several half-siblings. His family background and early exposure to books and computers played a significant role in shaping his technical interests.
Business Career
Elon Musk’s career spans software, finance, automotive manufacturing, aerospace, artificial intelligence, and digital media. He is widely regarded as a high-risk, high-impact entrepreneur.
Early Ventures
- Zip2 – Sold to Compaq in 1999
- X.com – Later became PayPal (acquired by eBay in 2002)
Major Companies
- SpaceX – Reusable rockets, Starship, Starlink satellite internet
- Tesla – Electric vehicles, battery storage, clean energy
- Neuralink – Brain–computer interface research
- The Boring Company – Tunnel-based transportation systems
- X Corp. – Social media and digital services
- xAI – Artificial intelligence research and development
Political Involvement
Musk was a major donor in the 2024 U.S. presidential election and briefly served in 2025 as Senior Advisor to the President and de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Following public disagreements, he left government service and returned to full-time corporate leadership.
Public Controversies
Musk is a highly polarizing public figure. He has faced criticism over political statements, content moderation decisions at X, COVID-19 misinformation, and support for controversial causes. His leadership style and public communications continue to generate global debate.
Major Achievements
- Founder and CEO of SpaceX
- CEO and product architect of Tesla
- World’s wealthiest individual since 2021
- Pioneer of reusable rocket technology
- Key figure in commercial spaceflight and EV adoption
Personal Philosophy
Musk frequently emphasizes long-term, civilization-scale goals, including sustainable energy, multiplanetary life, and advanced artificial intelligence. He is known for prioritizing speed of execution and radical innovation over conventional business practices.
Key Facts
- Full Name: Elon Reeve Musk
- Date of Birth: June 28, 1971
- Age: 54 (2025)
- Nationality: South African, Canadian, American
- Profession: Entrepreneur, Engineer, Business Executive
- Known For: Tesla, SpaceX, X, Starlink
- Net Worth: ~$754 billion (2025 estimate)
- Children: 14
- Political Affiliation: Independent