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Elon Musk

Elon Musk is a businessman and technology entrepreneur known for leading Tesla and SpaceX.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Elon Musk is a businessman and technology entrepreneur known for leading Tesla and SpaceX. He has also been associated with companies including X Corp. (formerly Twitter), Neuralink, xAI, The Boring Company, and PayPal-related ventures. Musk holds South African, Canadian, and American citizenship.

Early life and background

Elon Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1971. He later became a Canadian and American citizen, in addition to his South African citizenship.

Business career

Musk is best known for his leadership roles at Tesla and SpaceX. He has also been involved in other technology and internet ventures, including X Corp., Neuralink, xAI, and The Boring Company.

Public profile and wealth

Musk is widely reported as one of the richest people in the world. Recent estimates place his net worth in the hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars, with sources differing on the exact figure.

Controversies and public roles

Musk has held prominent public and political roles, including service in the U.S. federal government during Donald Trump’s second administration. He has also attracted attention for ownership and rebranding of Twitter as X.

Key facts

  • Musk is the CEO and largest shareholder of Tesla and SpaceX.
  • He was born in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 28, 1971.
  • He holds South African, Canadian, and American citizenship.
  • He has been described as the world’s wealthiest person since 2025.
  • He has been linked to companies including X Corp., Neuralink, xAI, The Boring Company, and PayPal-related ventures.
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Canadian context

Musk is Canadian through citizenship, and Canadian readers may note that he is often described in sources as South African-Canadian-American.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Elon Musk?
Elon Musk is a South African-born businessman and entrepreneur known for leading Tesla and SpaceX.
When was Elon Musk born?
He was born on June 28, 1971.
What companies is Elon Musk associated with?
He is associated with Tesla, SpaceX, X Corp., Neuralink, xAI, The Boring Company, and earlier ventures such as PayPal-related companies.
What is Elon Musk’s nationality?
He is South African, Canadian, and American.
How wealthy is Elon Musk?
As of July 2026, sources estimate his net worth at roughly US$797 billion, though estimates vary by source and date.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, and current roles at Tesla and SpaceX; world wealth ranking and net worth estimate.
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk
    Supports: South African-Canadian-American nationality and basic biography.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://britannica.com/money/Elon-Musk
    Supports: South African-born American entrepreneur; cofounding PayPal and SpaceX; Tesla leadership; acquisition of Twitter.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth_of_Elon_Musk
    Supports: Recent net worth estimates and ownership stakes in Tesla and SpaceX.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_career_of_Elon_Musk
    Supports: Overview of business career and association with Tesla, SpaceX, X Corp., The Boring Company, xAI, Neuralink, and OpenAI.