Contrary to popular belief, Elon Musk is not technically the ‘father’ or founder of Tesla. That distinction goes to Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. The tech mogul made a large investment in the company and is the CEO, hence the reason for the misconception. However, the 52-year-old is an actual father who recently welcomed his 12th child into the world.
Elon Musk’s Expanding Family
Elon Musk has fathered numerous children, but he prefers to keep them out of the spotlight whenever possible. That’s why it came as a surprise when it was revealed that he quietly welcomed his 12th child earlier this year. Although the child’s gender and name remain unknown to the public, Musk seems to enjoy being a father.
Keeping His Personal Life Private
Despite his reputation for privacy, Elon Musk has denied intentionally keeping his personal life a secret. He clarified, “As for ‘secretly fathered,’ that is also false. All our friends and family know. Failure to issue a press release, which would be bizarre, does not mean ‘secret.’” So, while Musk may not be flaunting his fatherhood, he doesn’t consider it a secret either.
The Mother of the Child
The child’s mother is Shivon Zilis, the director of special projects at Neuralink Corp, a company Musk launched in 2016. Neuralink is developing implantable brain-computer interfaces, and while its first neural chip implant was unsuccessful, the company continues to work on groundbreaking projects.
Musk’s Journey to Fatherhood
Elon Musk’s journey into fatherhood has not been without its challenges. In 2002, he tragically lost his first son, Nevada Alexander, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) at just ten weeks old. However, he found joy again when he welcomed twins two years later. Since then, Musk has become a father to children with Canadian musician Claire Elise Boucher, popularly known as GRIMES.
Making Headlines Once Again
Elon Musk is no stranger to making headlines, and his expanding family is no exception. In addition to his children, news outlets have also speculated about his obsession with letters instead of names and his involvement with Donald Trump. Some even jokingly suggested he’s in a competition with Nick Cannon for “Fathering the Most Children.” While these rumors are mostly in good fun, they continue to keep Musk’s personal life in the spotlight.
A Complex Childhood
To understand Elon Musk’s journey, it’s important to look back at his early years. Born in South Africa in 1971, Musk experienced the challenges of divorce at a young age. Described as a “nerdy type,” he found solace in reading and gained a reputation as a “know-it-all” which made it difficult for him to fit in among his peers.
Difficulties with Family
After his parents’ divorce, Elon Musk chose to live with his father, Errol, even though he spent the early years with his mother and siblings at their holiday home. Musk’s relationship with his father was challenging, with Errol described as difficult to be around and inflicting psychological torture on Elon. Despite these difficulties, Musk persevered and carved his own path to success.
Studies and Success
Elon Musk’s fascination with computers began at a young age. By the time he was 10, he had already developed a strong interest in programming. Musk taught himself to code and sold his first video game, “Blastar.” To stand up against bullying, he took up karate and wrestling. He pursued a diverse education, earning two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania before venturing into the tech industry.
Elon Musk’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish companies like Zip2, PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX. Today, he continues to make waves in various industries, pushing the boundaries of technology and space exploration.
Sources
- “Elon Musk.” Biography
- “Neuralink Blog.” Neuralink
- “Tesla founders Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning talk about the early days and bringing on Elon Musk.” CNBC. Lora Kolodny. February 6, 2021.
- “Elon Musk: Early Life.” Short Form. Melissa Stevens. April 3, 2022.
- “Elon Musk Welcomed Baby No. 12 and People Keep Commenting the Same Thing.” Brightside. Marian V.
