Elon Musk’s Success Story: From South Africa to Global Powerhouse

International entrepreneur and businessman Elon Reeve Musk is well-known for leading the Department of Government Efficiency, SpaceX, X, and Tesla. Forbes puts Musk’s net worth at US$424.7 billion as of May 2025, making him the richest person in the world since 2021.

In today’s world, there is a man whose friend is considered one of the most powerful people on Earth. He has moved faster than the speed of thought and is believed to control America’s nuclear arsenal. The world respects him, yet none of these achievements satisfy him. Education, poverty, health, society—all these seem trivial and superficial to him. He is building a stairway to Mars with the vision of making humanity multi-planetary.

This man is Elon Musk, an American entrepreneur who doesn’t see himself as just an American businessman, but as a global one. Much like Thanos, he loves power and abhors weakness, laziness, and fatigue. He believes the world is not functioning properly and has his own way of doing things, often contrary to the norms. He wants to change everything, yet he struggles to understand one thing: what happens to a world if its delicate systems are disrupted?

The Journey of Elon Musk: South Africa to World’s Most Influential Entrepreneur

In this article, we explore this very question. Hello, I’m Anurag Tiwari, and you are reading Business Connect Magazine. This is the story of Elon Musk.

Elon Musk: From Childhood in South Africa to the Making of a Visionary

June 28, 1971, is the day Elon Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa. His parents were quite an interesting pair. His father, Errol Musk, was a mechanical engineer who had been married multiple times. Elon’s mother, Maye Musk, was a model who had even participated in the Miss South Africa competition in 1969. Elon also has two siblings: Kimbal and Tosca.

In a later interview, Elon revealed that he had autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a child, which made school life extremely challenging for him. Children with ASD often struggle with social interactions, communication, and coordination compared to their peers. Elon faced difficulties making eye contact, mastering language, and participating in sports. These challenges often made him a target for bullying.

At the age of 12, his parents enrolled him in a survival skills camp in South Africa, designed to teach children how to defend themselves. This camp encouraged fights among the kids under the supervision of instructors, who created scenarios that pushed children to physically confront one another. Food and water were limited to ensure hunger and resilience. For young Elon, it was confusing and frightening—most children bullied him, and he initially couldn’t fight back.

However, by the time he returned to the camp at 16, Elon had learned survival techniques and was no longer intimidated. He could hold his own in fights and even outperform many of the other kids. This experience taught him how to defend himself and handle adversaries, skills that became essential in shaping his resilience.

During that time, South Africa was rife with racial conflicts and street violence. Life and death struggles were common on the streets, and survival was a daily challenge. Camps like the one Elon attended were designed to prepare children to survive in such harsh conditions.

Elon has recounted that on his way to school, he would often see corpses on the streets, victims of brutal attacks, and bloodstains everywhere. These experiences left a lasting impression on his young mind.

Looking back, these formative years help explain some of Elon Musk’s unconventional behaviors as an adult—from posting emojis on Twitter in strange ways to publicly criticizing Disney executives in interviews, or acquiring companies only to make drastic staffing decisions. His early exposure to challenge, conflict, and survival seems to have shaped both his fearless personality and his unorthodox approach to business and public life.

Elon Musk’s Early Passion for Technology and Entrepreneurship

From a young age, Elon Musk was fascinated by computers and programming. At just 12 years old, he created a video game called Blastar, which was sold to a local magazine for $500—marking his first business deal at a remarkably young age.

Growing up in South Africa, Elon and his brother Kimbal were always looking for new business ideas to earn money. One Easter, they noticed that wealthy parents at their school bought chocolate Easter eggs every year. Inspired, Elon and Kimbal decided to start their own chocolate Easter egg business. They made eggs and cakes at home, packaged them neatly, and sold them to their school friends—showcasing Elon’s early entrepreneurial spirit.

Regarding his education, Elon began his studies in South Africa at the University of Pretoria. In 1988, at the age of 18, he moved to Canada, gaining Canadian citizenship through his mother. Two years later, in 1990, he enrolled at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and then transferred to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1992, where he earned Bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Economics.

In 1995, Elon was admitted to Stanford University in California but dropped out after just two days, realizing that his future lay not in physics but in the upcoming internet revolution. During college, he focused on five transformative ideas:

1. The Internet – creating online platforms to revolutionize access to information.

2. Multiplanetary Life – enabling humans to live on other planets.

3. Human Genetics – improving health and preventing diseases.

4. Sustainable Energy – reducing pollution and promoting renewable energy.

5. Artificial Intelligence – developing advanced AI technologies.

Elon’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1995 when he co-founded Zip2 with his brother Kimbal. Zip2 was an online business directory that provided maps and listings for newspapers, similar to the traditional Yellow Pages but digitized. The idea was unique at the time, and in 1999, Compaq acquired Zip2 for $307 million, earning Elon $22 million at just 28 years old. This marked his first major success but was only the beginning.

In 1999, Elon co-founded another company with three other partners called X.com. This venture aimed to revolutionize traditional banking by solving the challenges of online payments and digital transactions. Within two years, X.com had generated enough revenue to allow Elon to invest in rocket deals in Russia, setting the stage for his future in space exploration.

Elon Musk’s journey as an entrepreneur began with X.com, an online banking and investment platform that allowed people to transfer funds digitally without relying on traditional banking infrastructure. To attract customers, the platform even offered a $20 sign-up incentive. Within just two months, X.com had already gained over 100,000 users.

In 2000, X.com merged with a software company called Confinity, and together they created what we know today as PayPal. But Musk’s ambitions didn’t stop at fintech—he wanted to revolutionize space travel.

In 2001, a 30-year-old Musk traveled to Moscow to buy rockets from Russian engineers. Carrying a bag full of cash, he met with a rocket designer who quoted him $8 million for a single rocket. Musk counter-offered to buy two for the same price. Insulted, the engineer spat on Musk’s shoes and refused the deal. Furious yet determined, Musk returned to the U.S. with a decision: he would build his own rockets.

A year later, in 2002, Musk invested $100 million of his own money to start SpaceX. The early years were brutal—three rocket launches failed, nearly bankrupting the company. But in 2008, SpaceX’s Falcon 1 became the first privately developed rocket to reach orbit. This marked a turning point not just for Musk, but for the entire space industry.

Former NASA administrator Lori Garver even compared that Russian insult to the “face of Helen of Troy that launched a thousand ships,” saying it became the spark that launched thousands of spacecraft.

Despite failures, SpaceX changed space travel forever by creating reusable rockets, drastically reducing costs. By 2023, SpaceX’s valuation had reached $210 billion, with Musk owning 42% of the company. Alongside rockets, Musk also launched Starlink, a satellite internet project aiming to connect the entire world.

Meanwhile, in 2004, Musk invested $65 million in Tesla Motors, which had been founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. By 2008, Musk became Tesla’s CEO. Though the company faced financial struggles, Tesla’s innovative electric vehicles—Roadster (2008), Model S (2012), Model X (2015), and Model 3 (2017)—transformed the auto industry. In 2023, Tesla’s Model Y became the world’s best-selling car. From $5 a share in 2010, Tesla stock soared to nearly $300 within a decade, making it one of the most valuable companies in the world.

Musk also invested in SolarCity (later renamed Tesla Energy) and has constantly pushed for sustainable technologies.

In 2022, he shocked the world by buying Twitter (now X), further cementing his reputation as one of the boldest and most controversial figures in tech.

Politically, Musk’s stance has shifted over the years—from supporting Barack Obama and Democrats in earlier elections to aligning more with Republicans later on, especially after meeting Donald Trump in 2017.

Today, Musk is more than just a businessman—he’s a visionary shaping the future of energy, transportation, space, and digital communication. His story proves that failure is just a step toward groundbreaking success.

Elon Musk’s relationship with U.S. politics has been as unpredictable as his business ventures. Initially, he sought support from then-President Donald Trump for SpaceX’s Mars mission, hoping that NASA and the U.S. government would back his deep space projects and commercial missions. Trump admired Musk’s vision for private space exploration, and their ties gradually strengthened. Musk gained both public trust and governmental support for SpaceX.

Yet, despite Trump’s backing, Musk’s political leanings initially favored the Democrats. In the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, he openly supported Joe Biden. However, tensions between Musk and the Biden administration soon escalated.

In August 2021, Musk was excluded from the White House’s Electric Vehicle Summit, a snub that hit hard, given Tesla’s role as America’s largest EV manufacturer. Instead, the Biden administration appeared to favor Ford and General Motors. Feeling sidelined, Musk began openly criticizing Biden’s policies—especially regarding social media and free speech.

During the 2020 election cycle, Musk also condemned how Twitter suppressed a story about Hunter Biden, which could have politically damaged Joe Biden. By 2022, Musk had restored accounts previously banned by Twitter (now X), signaling a shift in his political tone. Interestingly, both Musk and Trump shared traits—outspoken, controversial, and driven by self-interest. Once fierce critics of each other, by the 2024 election they found common ground.

As the election neared, Musk distanced himself from the Democrats and openly backed the Republican Party and Trump’s MAGA campaign. His support was crucial—not only financially but also strategically. Musk invested an estimated $288 million into Trump and other Republican candidates’ campaigns. More importantly, with X’s 200 million+ followers, he had the power to shape election narratives directly.

The Washington Post reported that Musk even announced a “free speech and gun rights petition giveaway”, offering $1 million daily to lucky signatories in swing states—a move that raised eyebrows nationwide. At one point, he even shared a doctored video of Kamala Harris with a laughing emoji, a post that reached over 136 million views. Critics accused him of amplifying Republican propaganda.

In November 2024, Trump won the election. Tesla’s stock surged, and Musk’s influence grew beyond technology into political power. In January 2025, Trump appointed Musk as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new role designed to streamline government operations. Musk was no longer just an inventor or businessman—he had become a political player with global influence.

Trump’s second term also gave Tesla unprecedented advantages. His administration pushed other nations to lower import duties on American companies, smoothing Tesla’s path into foreign markets. In India, for instance, the government slashed import duty on EVs priced above $40,000 from 110% to 70%, effectively clearing the way for Tesla’s long-awaited entry.

But while Musk’s professional empire expanded, his personal life remained turbulent. He has been married twice—to Justine Wilson and later Talulah Riley (twice)—and has had high-profile relationships with Canadian singer Grimes and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis. In total, Musk is the father of 14 children, though his relationship with them has been complicated.

One of the most painful rifts was with his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who not only changed her gender but also cut ties with Musk completely. In interviews, she described Musk as a “cold, short-tempered narcissist,” recalling moments where he pressured her to appear “tougher” and even criticized her voice for being “too soft.” Her statements highlighted Musk’s struggles as a father, echoing the harshness he himself had experienced from his own father.

Despite conquering industries—space travel, electric vehicles, AI, and social media—Musk’s personal life reflects a man often at odds with himself. He thrives on ambition, disruption, and control, but in family and relationships, he often appears lost.

It brings to mind a line from the film Puzzle, where Irrfan Khan’s character says:
“Life is messy. It doesn’t make sense. But when you complete a puzzle, you realize every wrong piece eventually leads to a perfect picture.”

Perhaps Elon Musk’s story is still an unfinished puzzle—brilliant, chaotic, and controversial. Whether history will judge him as a visionary genius or a flawed disruptor remains to be seen. Written by Anurag Tiwari Published on Business Connect Magazine Visit us at businessconnectindia.in.

FAQ: Elon Musk’s Success Story

Q1. Who is Elon Musk?
Elon Musk is a South African-born entrepreneur, inventor, and businessman, best known as the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, owner of X (formerly Twitter), and the world’s richest person as of May 2025 with a net worth of over $424 billion.

Q2. Where was Elon Musk born?
Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa, to Errol Musk, a mechanical engineer, and Maye Musk, a model and dietitian.

Q3. What was Elon Musk’s first business venture?
At the age of 12, Musk developed a video game called Blastar, which he sold to a magazine for $500—his very first business deal.

Q4. Did Elon Musk attend university?
Yes. He studied briefly at the University of Pretoria before moving to Canada. He later attended Queen’s University in Ontario and then transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Economics.

Q5. Why did Elon Musk drop out of Stanford?
In 1995, Musk enrolled in a Ph.D. program at Stanford University but dropped out after just two days, realizing the internet revolution offered more opportunities than academics.

Q6. What companies did Elon Musk start?
Musk co-founded Zip2 (sold to Compaq in 1999), X.com (which later became PayPal), SpaceX (2002), invested in and became CEO of Tesla (2004), and later founded ventures like Neuralink, The Boring Company, and Starlink.

Q7. How did Musk get into space exploration?
After failing to buy rockets from Russia in 2001, Musk decided to build his own. He founded SpaceX in 2002 with $100 million of his own money, and in 2008, SpaceX became the first private company to launch a rocket into orbit.

Q8. What role does Musk play in politics?
Musk has had shifting political ties—from supporting Democrats like Barack Obama to aligning with Republicans and Donald Trump. In 2025, he was appointed as head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency.

Q9. How has Elon Musk impacted the electric vehicle industry?
Through Tesla, Musk revolutionized the EV market with models like the Roadster, Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y. In 2023, the Tesla Model Y became the world’s best-selling car.

Q10. What challenges has Elon Musk faced in his personal life?
Despite his professional success, Musk’s personal life has been complex. He has been married multiple times, has 14 children, and has faced strained relationships—including a painful rift with his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson.

Q11. What is Elon Musk’s ultimate vision?
Musk’s long-term vision includes making humanity a multi-planetary species, advancing sustainable energy, developing AI responsibly, and ensuring global internet access through Starlink.

Q12. What was Elon Musk’s childhood like?
Musk had a difficult childhood. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), he struggled socially and was often bullied. He also attended survival camps in South Africa, which toughened him up and shaped his resilience.

Q13. How did Elon Musk make his first million?
Musk co-founded Zip2 in 1995 with his brother Kimbal. In 1999, Compaq acquired Zip2 for $307 million, and Musk earned $22 million at just 28 years old.

Q14. How did X.com become PayPal?
In 1999, Musk founded X.com, an online banking platform. A year later, it merged with Confinity, which developed PayPal. eBay bought PayPal in 2002 for $1.5 billion, making Musk one of the early internet millionaires.

Q15. Why did Elon Musk start SpaceX?
After being denied affordable rockets in Russia, Musk decided to build his own to reduce space travel costs. His goal was to make humans a multi-planetary species by colonizing Mars.

Q16. What makes SpaceX unique?
SpaceX pioneered reusable rockets, drastically lowering the cost of launches. Its Falcon 9 and Starship projects are transforming commercial space travel and interplanetary exploration.

Q17. How successful is SpaceX today?
As of 2023, SpaceX was valued at over $210 billion. Musk owns 42% of it, and the company leads in satellite launches, space cargo, and Starlink internet services.

Q18. How has Tesla changed the auto industry?
Tesla disrupted the global car market by making electric vehicles mainstream. Its cars—especially the Model 3 and Model Y—proved EVs could be stylish, powerful, and profitable.

Q19. What is Starlink, and why is it important?
Starlink is a SpaceX project deploying satellites to provide global internet access, especially in remote or underserved regions. It now serves millions of users worldwide.

Q20. Why did Elon Musk buy Twitter (X)?
In 2022, Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion, renaming it X. His goal was to transform it into a “super app” combining social media, payments, and communication—though the move remains controversial.

Q21. What are Elon Musk’s five big goals for humanity?
Musk has repeatedly mentioned these transformative ideas:

1. Internet Revolution (connectivity)

2. Multiplanetary Life (colonizing Mars)

3. Human Genetics (disease prevention)

4. Sustainable Energy (Tesla, SolarCity)

5. Artificial Intelligence (developing safe AI systems)

Q22. How has Elon Musk influenced U.S. politics?
Musk has been an influential political player, donating millions to campaigns. By 2025, he had aligned with Republicans and Trump, using his platform X to shape election narratives.

Q23. Why was Elon Musk appointed head of DOGE?
In 2025, Trump created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to streamline U.S. operations. Musk was appointed as its head, expanding his influence beyond business into governance.

Q24. What controversies has Elon Musk faced?
Musk is known for his outspoken and unpredictable behavior—such as posting memes, mocking rivals, and making drastic decisions like mass layoffs at Twitter (X). Critics call him reckless, while fans see him as bold.

Q25. What is Elon Musk’s personal life like?
Musk has been married twice, to Justine Wilson and Talulah Riley (twice), and has had relationships with Grimes and Shivon Zilis. He has 14 children but faces strained family ties, particularly with his daughter Vivian.

Q26. How does Elon Musk handle failure?
Musk views failure as a stepping stone. His early rocket failures nearly bankrupted SpaceX, but he persisted until Falcon 1’s success in 2008—proving his resilience.

Q27. What is Elon Musk’s leadership style?
His leadership is intense, hands-on, and often controversial. He pushes his employees to extremes but also inspires them with bold missions. Many call him a “visionary micromanager.”

Q28. What is Elon Musk’s current net worth?
As of May 2025, Forbes estimates Musk’s net worth at $424.7 billion, making him the richest person in the world since 2021.

Q29. How does Elon Musk compare to other billionaires like Jeff Bezos?
While Bezos focuses on e-commerce and Blue Origin, Musk is seen as more risk-taking and disruptive—leading revolutions in electric cars, space, AI, and social media simultaneously.

Q30. What is Elon Musk’s ultimate legacy?
Musk wants to be remembered as the man who ensured humanity’s survival beyond Earth. His ambition is not just wealth, but reshaping civilization itself.

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