Errol Musk – full name Errol Graham Musk – was born on 25 May 1946 in Pretoria, South Africa. The South African electromechanical engineer, property developer, pilot, and sailor is best known as the father of Elon Musk. Long before his son became the world’s most famous entrepreneur, Errol built a successful engineering and property career, served on the Pretoria City Council, and raised three children who would each make their own mark.
This guide covers his real story: the engineering background, the business ventures, the family, and the claims and controversies that have kept the Musk patriarch in the headlines.
Who Is Errol Musk? Key Facts
- Full name: Errol Graham Musk
- Born: 25 May 1946, Pretoria, South Africa
- Profession: Electromechanical engineer, property developer, pilot, sailor
- Known for: Father of Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca Musk
- Politics: Elected to the Pretoria City Council in 1972
Early Life and Engineering Career
He was born and raised in Pretoria, South Africa, and trained as an electromechanical engineer – a discipline combining electrical and mechanical engineering – putting that training to work in the country’s industrial and construction sectors.
Engineering shaped the Musk household. Errol has described a home life organized around technical curiosity, where his children were encouraged to understand how things work. Elon Musk has credited his father’s engineering mindset as an early influence on his own problem-solving approach, even as their personal relationship later became strained.
In 1972, he was elected as an independent to the Pretoria City Council, representing Sunnyside – a sign of his standing in the local community at the time. (His biography via Wikipedia.)
Property Development and Other Ventures
Alongside engineering, he built a career in property development, developing residential and commercial projects in South Africa. He has also worked as a pilot and sailor, reflecting a lifelong appetite for technical, hands-on pursuits.
His varied career – engineering, property, aviation, sailing – paints a picture of a capable, restless professional. It also helps explain the environment Elon grew up in: one where building things, taking things apart, and understanding systems was simply what the family did.
Family: Maye, Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca
He married Maye Haldeman, a Canadian-born model and dietitian, in 1970. Together they had three children:
- Elon Musk (born 1971) – founder of SpaceX and Tesla, owner of X
- Kimbal Musk (born 1972) – entrepreneur and restaurateur
- Tosca Musk (born 1974) – filmmaker and producer
Errol and Maye divorced in 1979. Elon initially lived with his mother before moving in with his father at around age 10 – a decision he has since described with regret. The father-son relationship has been publicly difficult for decades, with Elon describing his father in harsh terms and Errol disputing his son’s account.
If you enjoy celebrity family profiles, you may also like our pieces on Lydia Moynihan and Chris Evans’ wife.
The Emerald Mine Claim
One of the most repeated stories about Errol Musk is his claim that he once owned a share of a Zambian emerald mine. According to Errol, the mine helped fund the family’s comfortable lifestyle and Elon’s early ventures.
This claim has been disputed. Elon Musk has publicly denied that an emerald mine played any role in his success, calling the story false. Independent reporting has not confirmed the account. Readers should treat the emerald mine story as an unverified claim rather than an established fact.
Public Profile and Later Years
He has remained a public figure largely because of his famous son, giving interviews defending his parenting and his record, and occasionally inserting himself into news cycles with provocative claims. He has also had children later in life, including with Jana Bezuidenhout, his former stepdaughter – a relationship that drew significant media attention.
Whatever the controversies, the basic facts of his life are clear: a Pretoria-born engineer who built a substantial career – in engineering, property, and public service – long before the Musk name became world-famous.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Errol Musk?
He was born on 25 May 1946, which makes him 79 years old as of 2025.
What does Errol Musk do for a living?
He is a trained electromechanical engineer who also worked in property development, and has additionally worked as a pilot and sailor. He served on the Pretoria City Council in 1972.
Is Errol Musk related to Elon Musk?
Yes – he is Elon Musk’s father, and also the father of Kimbal Musk and Tosca Musk from his marriage to Maye Haldeman.
Did Errol Musk own an emerald mine?
Errol has claimed he once owned a share of a Zambian emerald mine, but the claim is disputed – Elon Musk has denied it, and it has not been independently confirmed.
Final Thoughts
Errol Musk’s story is a reminder that famous families have real, complicated histories behind them. The Pretoria engineer who raised Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca Musk built a substantial career of his own – in engineering, property, and public service – long before the Musk name became world-famous.
