Elon Musk. The man behind rockets, electric cars ‘Tesla,’ and now the social media platform X. Probably brings bold futurism to mind. But behind every visionary is a story, and for Elon, part of that story begins with his father, Errol Musk. Few outside the family truly know him, yet his life has shaped one of the most public figures of our era.
Errol is a South African engineer, entrepreneur, and former city councillor. He was born on May 25, 1946, in Pretoria. Over decades, he built a life steeped in business ventures. From property development to emerald trading, and local politics. He served on the Pretoria City Council from 1972 to 1983, giving him influence in both civic and entrepreneurial spheres. Yet, beyond the resumes and headlines lies a more complex, often controversial personal story.
Errol’s background reflects a practical man with an engineering mind. Working as an electromechanical engineer, he developed skills that would carry over into his property ventures. Over the years, he amassed considerable wealth, which not only shaped his lifestyle but also created the environment in which Elon and his siblings grew up. But wealth and success were not without complication. Family dynamics, multiple marriages, and public controversies added layers to his life that were often hidden from view.
Errol’s first marriage was to Maye Haldeman in 1970. She was a Canadian-South African model and dietitian, who would later become a well-known figure in her own right. Together, they had three children: Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca. The marriage lasted less than a decade, ending in 1979 amid reports of abuse, but left an indelible mark on the Musk family.
Following his divorce from Maye, Errol briefly married a woman named Sue. Little is publicly known about this second marriage, and no children are documented from it. In the early 1990s, Errol married again with Heide Bezuidenhout, a widow with three children from her first marriage. The couple had two daughters together, Alexandra and Asha Rose, while Heide’s children, including Jana Bezuidenhout, became Errol’s stepchildren. It is a blended family with intricate dynamics, and one that has often drawn public attention – sometimes for controversial reasons.
Controversies
Now coming to the controversies surrounding Errol, his complicated family relationships have often grabbed headlines. In 2018, it was reported that he fathered a child with his stepdaughter, Jana Bezuidenhout, followed by a second child in 2019. Errol has acknowledged these relationships, describing them as consensual, but they sparked widespread media attention and ethical debates due to the family dynamics. Separately, in 2025, a New York Times investigation reported allegations of Errol sexually abusing five of his children and stepchildren since 1993. Errol has denied these abuse claims, calling them “false” and “nonsense,” though the allegations continue to linger in the public eye.
Despite controversies, Errol’s parenting style played a role in shaping his children, particularly Elon. Accounts of Elon’s early life describe a household marked by intellectual rigor but also significant tension. Errol’s engineering background and entrepreneurial ventures exposed Elon to technical thinking and ambition, though Elon has described his father as a “terrible human being” who was emotionally and physically abusive. While Errol’s influence included exposure to problem-solving and risk-taking, Elon has largely distanced himself from his father, suggesting a complex and often negative impact on his upbringing.
Grandchildren and Extended Legacy
Through Elon, Errol now has a growing extended family. Elon’s children with Justine Wilson include twins and triplets, while his children with Grimes and Shivon Zilis expand the Musk lineage further. These grandchildren represent a new generation, carrying forward a family history intertwined with both achievement and controversy.
Understanding who Errol Musk is provides more than mere curiosity. It offers insight into the environment that shaped one of the world’s most prominent figures. The mix of engineering talent, entrepreneurial risk, and complex family dynamics paints a portrait of a father who, for better or worse, influenced Elon Musk’s path.
Errol’s story is also a reminder that the lives of famous individuals are rarely linear or simple. Behind every billionaire, there are family histories, personal decisions, and human complexities that often remain hidden. And for Errol, these complexities continue to draw attention, ensuring that his life story remains relevant as long as Elon Musk is in the global spotlight.
This story will never go out of date. People will always want to know the roots of a visionary. By exploring Errol’s life, his career, marriages, family dynamics, and controversies, readers gain a window into the early influences that shaped Elon. It’s human drama, history, and biography rolled into one narrative that continues to fascinate, no matter the year.
