Errol Musk, the father of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, launched a scathing critique of his son’s parenting approach. He highlighted concerns about the billionaire’s reliance on nannies and limited involvement in his children’s lives.
“If Elon hears this, he’s going to shoot me or something,” Errol Musk said in a recent podcast interview, expressing apprehension about potential repercussions from his public statements.
The elder Musk’s criticisms specifically target what he perceives as an over-dependence on hired caregivers. In his interview, he revealed that Elon’s five children from his first marriage were assigned a dedicated nanny, a practice he believes has led to his grandchildren struggling with essential life skills and independence.
This public denouncement emerges against a backdrop of long-standing family tensions. Elon Musk has previously characterized his father as a “terrible human being” who “plans evil.” The strained relationship has extended to the next generation, as Elon and his first wife established strict boundaries, preventing their children from interacting with their grandfather.
Born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1971, Elon Musk’s early life was shaped by his parents’ distinct influences. His mother, Maye Musk, worked as a Canadian model and dietitian, while his father, Errol, established himself as a wealthy South African engineer. The family dynamic shifted dramatically when his parents divorced when he was 10 years old. By age 17, Elon made the decision to move to Canada, defying his parents’ wishes and avoiding mandatory South African military service.
Despite early access to technology through his father’s engineering background, young Elon faced significant personal challenges. His childhood was marked by persistent bullying and the complexities of living with Asperger’s Syndrome. During these formative years, his mother, Maye Musk, emerged as a steadfast source of support, fostering his interests and providing emotional stability. These early experiences culminated in a notable achievement at age 12 when Elon developed his first computer game.
The Tesla CEO’s path to parenthood began with his marriage to Justine Wilson. Their first child, Nevada Alexander, died at 10 weeks from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The couple later welcomed twins Griffin and Xavier (now Vivian) in 2004, followed by triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian in 2006. Musk’s family continued to expand through subsequent relationships, including three children with musician Grimes (X Æ A-12, Exa Dark Sideræl, and Tau) and twins and another child with Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis. It has recently been claimed that Musk had his 13th child, now five months old, with conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair.
The family’s complexities have spilled into the public sphere, notably when his daughter Vivian Wilson publicly distanced herself from her father, criticizing his parenting style and political stances. Additional controversy arose when Musk began bringing his children to high-profile media events, a decision that drew criticism from various quarters.
Errol Musk’s recent commentary specifically addresses the intersection of wealth and parenting. He suggests that his son’s vast fortune, currently exceeding $435 billion, has fostered a disconnected parenting approach that differs markedly from his child-rearing methods.
The SpaceX founder’s commitment to large families aligns with his openly expressed pronatalist beliefs. His current role as a father to 12, maybe 13, children through three different relationships reflects this philosophy in practice.
Elon’s siblings have carved out their successful paths within the broader Musk family. His brother Kimbal established himself as an entrepreneur in the restaurant industry, while his sister Tosca has built a career in filmmaking. Their mother Maye’s emphasis on independence, kindness, and work ethic has manifested differently in each of her children’s professional trajectories.