Errol Musk, the father of Elon Musk, is a man of both brilliance and controversy. Born in South Africa, he made a name for himself as an engineer, pilot, and property developer. Known for his sharp intellect and entrepreneurial mindset, Errol played a significant role in shaping Elon’s early years, encouraging his son’s curiosity in technology and business. Despite their shared intelligence and ambition, their relationship has been strained, with Elon openly describing his father as a complicated and difficult man.

Beyond his technical expertise, Errol Musk has often been described as a polarizing figure. Stories about his past paint him as both a genius and a deeply flawed individual. He has been involved in various ventures, accumulating wealth but also facing significant controversy. One of the most shocking revelations about Errol’s personal life was his relationship with his stepdaughter, which resulted in children—a situation that drew widespread criticism and added to his “villainous” reputation.

Elon Musk himself has referred to his father as a “terrible human being” in interviews, recounting stories of emotional turmoil and strained family dynamics. Despite this, it’s clear that Errol’s influence helped shape the ambitious and risk-taking nature of his son. The elder Musk’s engineering background and financial success provided young Elon with resources and exposure to technology that fueled his early interest in space and computing. However, their fractured relationship suggests that the cost of that influence was a challenging childhood filled with tension.