Elon Musk is one of the most recognizable and controversial figures of the 21st century. He’s a billionaire entrepreneur, a self-styled engineer, a meme lord, and a cultural force who influences everything from electric cars to cryptocurrency.
But behind the headlines, people want to know: how tall is Elon Musk? What is his net worth in 2026? Who are his children and partners? Where does he live, and what’s his background?

This comprehensive article explores Musk’s journey-from his early days in South Africa to his current status as a global icon-while answering the web’s most-searched questions about him.
Elon Reeve Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa. His mother, Maye Musk, is a Canadian-born model and dietitian, while his father, Errol Musk, is a South African electromechanical engineer, pilot, and property developer.
Elon grew up in a family that was both affluent and intellectually stimulating-his father owned shares in an emerald mine, and his mother was a successful model who graced magazine covers even into her 70s.
Elon was a voracious reader and a shy, introverted child who found solace in books and computers. At age 10, he taught himself computer programming and created a video game called Blastar, which he sold for about $500.
He attended Waterkloof House Preparatory School and Pretoria Boys High School. Despite being bullied, Musk excelled academically and was fascinated by science fiction and technology.
At 17, Musk left South Africa for Canada, partly to avoid mandatory military service under apartheid and partly to pursue better opportunities. He enrolled at Queen’s University in Ontario, where he met his first wife, Justine Wilson. After two years, he transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, earning dual degrees in physics and economics.
After briefly attending Stanford for a Ph.D. in applied physics, Musk dropped out after two days, convinced that the internet boom was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
In 1996, Musk co-founded Zip2 with his brother Kimbal. The company provided business directories and maps for newspapers, eventually selling to Compaq for $307 million in 1999. Elon received $22 million from the sale.
Musk then founded X.com, an online payments company. After merging with Confinity, it became PayPal. Musk’s vision was to disrupt traditional banking and make payments frictionless. He was ousted as CEO but remained the largest shareholder. When eBay acquired PayPal for $1.5 billion in 2002, Musk took home $180 million.
<iframe width=”560” height=”315” src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/jvGnw1sHh9M?si=phE6FM82ftR2LC70” title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0” allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>With his PayPal windfall, Musk founded Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) in 2002, aiming to make space travel affordable and enable human colonization of Mars. The company’s early years were fraught with failures-three failed rocket launches nearly bankrupted Musk. But in 2008, SpaceX became the first private company to send a rocket into Earth orbit, and soon after, NASA awarded it a $1.6 billion contract.
SpaceX has since achieved historic milestones: launching reusable rockets, docking with the International Space Station, and developing the Starship rocket for Mars missions. In 2020, SpaceX became the first private company to send astronauts into orbit. The company’s Starlink satellite network now connects millions globally, and in 2024, NASA awarded SpaceX a major contract to deorbit the ISS.
In 2004, Musk invested in Tesla Motors, becoming chairman and later CEO. Under his leadership, Tesla transformed from a niche startup to the world’s most valuable automaker. Musk’s vision was to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy, and he oversaw the development of the Roadster, Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y, as well as solar energy products and Gigafactories.
Tesla’s Model 3 became the world’s best-selling electric car, and the company’s innovations in battery technology and self-driving software set industry standards. Tesla’s Powerwall and solar products also pioneered the integration of sustainable energy for homes and businesses.
In 2026, there are talks and reports about potential mergers among SpaceX, Tesla, and his AI venture xAI ahead of a planned SpaceX initial public offering (IPO) in mid-2026 that could value the space company at around $1.5 trillion.
While no definitive merger agreements have been announced, SpaceX is reportedly exploring deals with Tesla and xAI, potentially swapping xAI stock for SpaceX shares to build a more integrated technology conglomerate that spans rockets, satellites, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and autonomous robotics. The IPO itself would be among the largest ever, and could potentially raise tens of billions of dollars.
Musk’s ambitions extend far beyond cars and rockets. He founded Neuralink to develop brain-computer interfaces, aiming to merge human consciousness with artificial intelligence. The Boring Company was launched to build underground tunnels for urban transportation, and xAI was founded to compete with OpenAI in the field of artificial intelligence.
In 2022, Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion, rebranding it as X in 2023 and implementing sweeping changes that sparked global debate
Elon Musk stands at 6 feet 2 inches (187 cm), making him taller than many of his peers in the tech industry. His height, combined with his presence, makes him a commanding figure at public events.
Musk is 53 years old as of 2025. Over the years, his physique has fluctuated, and he’s become a meme subject, especially after paparazzi photos of him shirtless on a yacht went viral in 2022. The internet had a field day, turning the image into countless memes.
There’s no verified IQ score for Musk, but he’s widely considered to be a genius. His ability to grasp complex engineering, physics, and business concepts is legendary.
Elon Musk’s family life is a headline-grabbing as his business ventures. His marriages, relationships, and children span continents, careers, and cultures, making his family tree a fascinating study in modern celebrity and legacy. Here’s a detailed look at Musk’s wives and children, with insights into who they are and how they fit into the Musk story.
Justine Musk, born Justine Wilson, is a Canadian author known for her fantasy novels. She met Elon while both were students at Queen’s University in Canada. The couple married in 2000 and their relationship was marked by both personal tragedy and the birth of several children before ending in a public divorce in 2008.
Children with Justine Musk
Nevada Alexander Musk. Their first son, born in 2002, tragically died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) at just 10 weeks old.
Griffin Musk. One of a set of twins born in 2004. Griffin has largely stayed out of the public eye.
Vivian Jenna Wilson (formerly Xavier Musk). Griffin’s twin, Vivian is transgender and legally changed her name and gender, choosing to distance herself from Elon.
Kai Musk. One of a set of triplets born in 2006. Kai, like his siblings, has mostly kept a low profile.
Saxon Musk. Another of the triplets, born in 2006. Saxon has also remained private.
Damian Musk:. The third triplet, born in 2006. Damian is known for his musical interests and is occasionally seen at events with his family.
Justine has spoken publicly about her life with Elon, their shared grief over Nevada, and the challenges of raising a large family after their separation.
Talulah Riley is a British actress, best known for her roles in films like Pride & Prejudice and the TV series Westworld. She and Musk first married in 2010, divorced in 2012, remarried in 2013, and divorced again in 2016. Their relationship was often described as passionate and tumultuous, but the two have spoken fondly of each other post-divorce.
Children with Talulah Riley: None. Their marriage did not produce any children.
Talulah has remained in the public eye through her acting career and has occasionally commented on her amicable relationship with Musk after their split.
Grimes, born Claire Boucher, is a Canadian musician and artist known for her eclectic style and avant-garde music. Her relationship with Musk began in 2018 and quickly became a media sensation due to their public appearances and unconventional approach to family life.
Children with Grimes
X Æ A-12 Musk. Born in May 2020, X’s name drew international attention for its unique spelling and pronunciation (“X Ash A Twelve”). He is often seen in playful social media posts with both parents.
Exa Dark Sideræl Musk (“Y” or “Why”). Born via surrogate in December 2021, Exa is nicknamed “Y” and was introduced to the world through a Vanity Fair interview.
Techno Mechanicus Musk (“Tau”). Born in June 2022, Techno Mechanicus, nicknamed “Tau,” is the couple’s third child. Details about Tau remain largely private.
Grimes has described her parenting style with Musk as collaborative but unconventional, and the two have maintained a co-parenting relationship despite their romantic split.
Shivon Zilis is a Canadian executive and director at Neuralink, one of Musk’s companies focused on brain-machine interfaces. Her relationship with Musk became public in 2022 when it was revealed they had twins together.
Children with Shivon Zilis
Strider Musk. One of the twins born in November 2021. Strider’s name was revealed after a Texas judge approved the change to include both parents’ surnames.
Azure Musk. The other twin, also born in November 2021. Like Strider, Azure’s life is kept largely private.
Arcadia Musk. A daughter, details about her birth and life remain mostly out of the public eye.
Shivon Zilis has continued her work at Neuralink and maintains a discreet public profile, focusing on her professional achievements and family.
While Musk’s relationships with Amber Heard and other public figures have made headlines, they did not result in children. There have also been rumors and media reports about a daughter named Romulus, reportedly with Ashley St Clair, but these details are not widely confirmed in mainstream sources.
Elon Musk has spoken openly about his belief in large families and his desire to contribute to population growth, often referencing concerns about declining birth rates. He is known for his hands-on approach to fatherhood, despite the demands of his business empire, and has described his family as “unconventional but loving.” Musk’s children span a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and interests, and while some remain out of the spotlight, others have made headlines for their personal choices and public statements.
As of 2025, Musk is not currently married.
Maye Musk. A celebrated model and nutritionist, Maye continues to appear in campaigns and on magazine covers.
Kimbal Musk. Elon’s younger brother, a restaurateur and philanthropist, runs The Kitchen Restaurant Group and is involved in urban farming initiatives.
Musk’s net worth has been a rollercoaster, but currently stands at $850 billion. He is still very much the world’s richest person.
Because his wealth is tied to volatile stocks, his daily earnings can swing dramatically. On average, in 2026, he’s estimated to make between $250 million and $690 million per day.
At peak valuation, Musk was making several thousand dollars per second-sometimes as high as $6,700 per second, depending on market conditions.
Musk famously sold most of his real estate holdings in 2020, stating he wanted to “own no house.” He now reportedly lives in a compact, prefabricated Boxabl house near SpaceX’s Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. The house is worth about $50,000 and measures just 400 square feet. However, Musk also has access to other properties for his family.
Musk has become the unofficial mascot of Dogecoin, a meme cryptocurrency. His tweets and public endorsements have sent Dogecoin’s price soaring and crashing. Musk has joked about being the “Dogefather” and has even discussed using Dogecoin for payments at Tesla and SpaceX.
Elon Musk played a highly visible role around the 2024 United States presidential election and beyond. During the campaign, Musk became one of Donald Trump’s largest financial backers, and reportedly contributed more than $260 million — mostly through political action committees and nonprofit networks that supported Trump’s re-election efforts, making him arguably the biggest individual donor of that cycle.
At Trump’s suggestion and with administration support, Musk helped establish the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — a temporary federal body meant to audit and streamline government operations — and served in a senior advisory role during the early months of Trump’s second term. Although he formally stepped back from day-to-day DOGE leadership in 2025 and signaled plans to reduce overt political spending, he is still a confidant and adviser in Washington, with influence on Republican strategy and candidate support into the midterms.
Yes, Musk became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2002, after first obtaining Canadian citizenship through his mother.
Musk and Sam Altman co-founded OpenAI with the goal of developing safe artificial intelligence. However, their relationship soured over disagreements about the company’s direction-Musk wanted OpenAI to remain non-profit and open-source, while Altman steered it toward a for-profit model. Musk left OpenAI and later founded xAI, a direct competitor.
<iframe width=”560” height=”315” src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/bWr-DA5Wjfw?si=Za4zAeabkXHTYKNd” title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0” allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>Their feud has played out in public, with lawsuits, interviews, and social media jabs. The rivalry intensified as Musk’s political profile rose and Altman became more involved with government AI policy. Despite occasional attempts at reconciliation, the two remain at odds.
Elon Musk’s journey from a privileged childhood in South Africa to the world’s richest man is a story of relentless ambition, innovation, and controversy. Whether you’re interested in how tall Elon Musk is, the size of his fortune, the complexity of his family, or his latest political moves, Musk remains a figure who commands global fascination-and whose story is still being written.
6’2” (187 cm).
Yes, Musk has publicly stated he is on the autism spectrum (Asperger’s syndrome).
No, Musk is not Jewish by birth or practice.
No, he is not a natural-born U.S. citizen.
Musk supported Trump’s 2024 campaign both financially and publicly, contributing over $119 million to a pro-Trump PAC and $280 million to Republican candidates.
Queen’s University (Canada) and University of Pennsylvania.
No, he is of South African and Canadian descent.
Primarily English, with some knowledge of Afrikaans.
He has not publicly identified with any religion.
No credible reports confirm this.
At his peak, thousands of dollars per second, depending on stock performance.
Yes, he had a privileged upbringing in South Africa.
Over $119 million to a pro-Trump PAC and $280 million to Republican candidates.


