Errol Musk, Elon Musk’s father, has publicly criticized the Tesla CEO’s parenting style. He specifically pointed out his son’s reliance on nannies and his limited engagement with his children.

“If Elon hears this, he’s going to shoot me or something,” Errol Musk stated during a recent podcast interview, indicating his fear of potential backlash from his son.

Errol Musk’s main criticism revolves around Elon’s perceived overuse of professional caregivers. In his interview, he disclosed that each of Elon’s five children from his first marriage had a personal nanny. He believes this practice has led to his grandchildren struggling with basic life skills and independence.

This public rebuke comes amid ongoing familial discord. Elon Musk has previously referred to his father as a “terrible human being” who “plans evil.” This strained relationship has affected subsequent generations, as Elon and his first wife set strict boundaries preventing their children from interacting with their grandfather.

Born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1971, Elon Musk’s early life was influenced by his parents. His mother, Maye Musk, was a Canadian model and dietitian, while his father, Errol, was a successful South African engineer. The family dynamic changed significantly after his parents divorced when he was 10. At 17, Elon decided to move to Canada, against his parents’ wishes and to avoid mandatory South African military service.

Despite early exposure to technology through his father’s engineering background, Elon faced several personal obstacles. His childhood was marked by persistent bullying and the challenges of living with Asperger’s Syndrome. His mother, Maye, provided stable emotional support during these years, encouraging his interests. Elon’s early life culminated in an impressive achievement when he developed his first computer game at 12.

Musk’s journey to fatherhood started with his marriage to Justine Wilson. Their first child, Nevada Alexander, tragically passed away from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome at just 10 weeks old. The couple later had twins Griffin and Xavier (now Vivian) in 2004 and triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian in 2006. Musk’s family has since grown through subsequent relationships, including three children with singer Grimes (X Æ A-12, Exa Dark Sideræl, and Tau) and twins and another child with Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis. It was recently reported that Musk had his 13th child, now five months old, with conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair.

The complexities of the Musk family have occasionally been made public. His daughter Vivian Wilson publicly distanced herself from her father, criticizing his parenting and political views. Further controversy was sparked when Elon began bringing his children to high-profile media events, a decision that was met with criticism.

Errol Musk’s recent comments point to the intersection of wealth and parenting. He suggests that Elon’s vast wealth, which currently exceeds $435 billion, has led to a disconnected parenting style that contrasts significantly with his own approach to raising children.

Elon’s commitment to having a large family aligns with his openly expressed pronatalist beliefs. His role as a father to 12, possibly 13, children through three different relationships reflects this viewpoint.

Elon’s siblings have also found success in their respective fields. His brother Kimbal is a successful entrepreneur in the restaurant industry, while his sister Tosca has a career in filmmaking. Their mother Maye’s emphasis on independence, kindness, and work ethic has been evident in each of her children’s professional journeys.