7 Shocking Facts About Errol Musk: The Controversial Father Elon Musk Calls 'Evil'
The name Errol Graham Musk has surged back into global headlines in late 2024 and 2025, not for his own business acumen but for a series of explosive, controversial statements and deeply disturbing family revelations. As the father of the world's wealthiest man, Elon Musk, the 79-year-old South African engineer and property developer has become a lightning rod for media attention, offering a complex and often dark backstory to the Musk family's origins. This article, updated for December 2025, dives deep into the most recent news and the long-standing controversies that define his life, from his alleged ties to a Zambian emerald mine to his tumultuous relationships with his children, including his son, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla.
The relationship between Errol and Elon Musk is famously strained, with the tech billionaire often describing his father as a "terrible human being" and "evil." Recent interviews in late 2024 and 2025 have only exacerbated this public feud, with Errol Musk himself criticizing his son's political ambitions and even calling him a "bad dad." These fresh updates, alongside the resurfacing of serious allegations—which Errol vehemently denies—paint a picture of a patriarch whose life is as complicated and turbulent as the high-stakes world his son now dominates, forcing a fresh look at the true source of the Musk family’s foundational wealth and drama.
Errol Graham Musk: Complete Biography and Profile
Errol Musk is a South African electromechanical engineer, pilot, sailor, and property developer whose life has been marked by significant financial success, political involvement, and profound personal controversy. He is the father of three internationally recognized figures: Elon Musk, Kimbal Musk (restaurateur), and Tosca Musk (filmmaker).
- Full Name: Errol Graham Musk
- Born: May 25, 1946
- Current Age (as of Dec 2025): 79 years old
- Birthplace: Pretoria, South Africa
- Primary Professions: Electromechanical Engineer, Property Developer, Consultant, Pilot, Sailor, and former Politician (served on the Pretoria City Council).
- Notable Business Ventures: Co-owner of a Zambian emerald mine (a claim that remains highly controversial and disputed by some family members).
- First Wife (1970–1979): Maye Musk (model and dietitian). Their marriage was described by Maye as abusive, which led to a contentious divorce and subsequent lawsuits.
- Children with Maye Musk: Elon Musk, Kimbal Musk, and Tosca Musk.
- Second Wife: Heide Bezuidenhout (Mother of Jana Bezuidenhout).
- Partner/Stepdaughter: Jana Bezuidenhout.
- Children with Jana Bezuidenhout: Elliot Rush Musk (born 2017) and Alexandra Musk (born 2019).
The Dark Origin Story: Emeralds, Apartheid, and Family Wealth
One of the most enduring and controversial aspects of Errol Musk's life is the source of the family's wealth, which Elon Musk’s early success is often credited to. The narrative centers on a purported Zambian emerald mine and its connection to the family's privileged life in apartheid-era South Africa.
The Controversial Emerald Mine Claim
Errol Musk has publicly claimed that he once owned half of a highly profitable emerald mine in Zambia, a venture he allegedly purchased on a whim. He claims that the profits from this mine were substantial, allowing the family to live a life of luxury in Pretoria, including owning a large house, a private plane, and a yacht.
- The Dispute: While Errol has touted the "emerald mine story," the details remain murky. Biographer Walter Isaacson, in his 2023 book on Elon Musk, suggested that Errol never actually owned a stake in a mine, but rather made money from trading emeralds worldwide. This ambiguity has led to the story being labeled "fodder for the media" by some.
- Apartheid Ties: Even more troubling are the alleged ties of his business practices to the apartheid regime. Errol reportedly told a biographer that he imported his emeralds from an unregistered mine, justifying it by stating that otherwise, the "Blacks would take" the mine, a comment that highlights the racialized environment of his business operations.
- Financial Foundation: Regardless of the exact mine ownership, it is widely accepted that Errol Musk's success as an electromechanical engineer and property developer provided the substantial financial foundation that allowed Elon and his siblings to emigrate to Canada and begin their entrepreneurial careers. This early family wealth is a critical, yet often overlooked, entity in the Elon Musk origin story.
2024–2025 Updates: Accusations, Political Outbursts, and Family Feuds
The past year has seen Errol Musk dominate headlines with a series of interviews and reports that have exposed the deep fractures within the Musk family and his own controversial worldview. These fresh updates cement his reputation as a figure who courts controversy.
Serious Allegations and Vehement Denials
In a major development in late 2024, a New York Times report published serious accusations that Errol Musk had sexually abused five of his children and stepchildren since 1993. These allegations sent shockwaves through the media, but Errol Musk has vehemently denied them, dismissing the report as "nonsense" and "false." He accused family members of fabricating the claims, stating there was "no evidence." This ongoing legal and public battle has intensified the scrutiny on the Musk family dynamics.
The Tumultuous Relationship with Jana Bezuidenhout
One of the most bizarre and widely publicized aspects of Errol's personal life is his relationship with Jana Bezuidenhout. Jana is the daughter of his second wife, Heide, and became his stepdaughter at the age of four. Errol later fathered two children with her, Elliot Rush and Alexandra, who are 41 years his junior. Errol has spoken openly about this controversial relationship in interviews, including a recent one with VladTV, which has only added to the public perception of his unconventional and disturbing personal life.
Political Criticisms and Global Commentary
Errol Musk has also used his platform for political commentary, often echoing far-right or controversial viewpoints. In late 2024 and 2025, he made headlines for:
- US 'Doomed' Comments: He expressed a strong concern that the United States is "doomed" and will "go the South Africa way" if the white population becomes a minority. This comment, which draws a parallel to the political and racial dynamics of his home country, was widely reported.
- Praise for Russia: In a surprising move, Errol Musk praised the Russian city of Kazan, suggesting he would tell his sons, Elon and Kimbal, to visit.
- Slamming Elon's Politics: In a fiery interview, Errol criticized his son's political involvement, stating that Elon is "not a good politician, at all" and calling him a "poor conversationalist" and "unfit for politics." He also warned Elon about his Department of Government Efficiency role, urging him not to let it distract him from his core business ventures.
The "Evil" Father: Elon and Errol Musk's Strained Relationship
The dynamic between the world's most famous billionaire and his father is one of deep-seated animosity and public estrangement. Elon Musk has repeatedly referred to his father as "Evil," stating that their relationship is "difficult" and "testy."
The strained relationship is rooted in the alleged abusive behavior Errol exhibited during his marriage to Maye Musk, who has detailed the trauma of the abusive marriage and subsequent lawsuits in her own accounts. This history of abuse and control has had a lasting impact on all three children—Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca—who have all spoken about the challenging environment of their childhood in Pretoria.
The tension continues to this day. In a recent interview, Errol Musk retaliated by publicly calling his son a "bad dad," suggesting that Elon is neglectful of his own children due to his intense focus on his businesses, SpaceX and Tesla. This public back-and-forth, often aired on platforms like the "Podcast and Chill" interview in November 2024, ensures that the drama surrounding the controversial patriarch remains a constant, dark footnote in the story of the Musk dynasty.
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