Elon Musk, the South-African born tech mogul, has become a household name nowadays. He has a long list of achievements to his name, including being the founder and CEO of SpaceX, Tesla and SolarCity. In fact, he is already considered a national treasure and a beacon of modern innovation. But how much do we know about his family? Elon Musk has a sister; but unlike him, she has shied away from the limelight. Her name is Tosca Musk, and what makes her story remarkable is that she has gone on to become a highly successful film producer in her own right.
Tosca Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa in 1971. Curiously, although she was born four years after Elon, she is the elder sister by almost a decade due to Elon’s mother remarrying when Tosca was four. Despite growing up in a family of five siblings, Tosca has admitted that she is closest to her brother Elon. In an interview with the Washington Post, she said that she and her brother were always very close, as they grew up in a “not-so-stable environment”. However, it appears that growing up in an unstable home sparked a burning ambition to take control of her life and make something of it, even in the face of adversity.
Tosca studied music and classical piano at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Her big break came in the movie Just Add Water, which began her journey as a film producer. She has since co-founded production companies such as Tusk Productions, Musk Entertainment and Passionflix, amongst many others. Passionflix is an incredibly successful streaming service dedicated to romance movies and has been instrumental in shifting the landscape of this genre. She has also dabbled in directing, winning an Emmy for her work on the 30-episode series Hide and Seek.
Though very successful in her own right, Tosca remains fiercely private about her personal life. In interviews, she frequently mentions and praises her brother, yet she still avoids the public spotlight. In fact, it appears that she prefers to let her craft take centre stage. In her own words, she states: “for me it’s never been about being in front of the camera, it’s been about being behind the camera, helping to bring stories to life”.
What impact have Elon and Tosca had in each other’s life?
The sibling relationship between Elon and Tosca is touching in many respects. Although separated by a decade in age, the siblings remain very close. Elon spent his childhood protecting and supporting his sister, while Tosca has repeatedly spoken of her respect and admiration for her brother’s accomplishments. As such, it’s clear to see that they have had a profound impact in each other’s lives.
For Tesla and SpaceX, Elon had to perhaps go into deeper levels of stress and burnouts, facing ups and downs in his business career. This wasn’t easy, and he openly acknowledges that it would have been impossible to get through some of these moments without the emotional and professional guidance of his sister. On her part, Tosca is obviously very proud of her brother and his accomplishments. Many of her interviews highlight her admiration and emotional connection with her brother.
Why does Tosca Prefer to Remain Private?
Despite Elon’s success, this hasn’t always been easy for Tosca. As the eldest sibling, she felt a certain responsibility for her brother as she moved to the U.S. When she moved, Elon was ten and she had to leave him behind in South Africa. She has also mentioned that she was never particularly convinced by Elon’s entrepreneurial pursuits, feeling that it was simply too risky. But in the end, she respects her brother’s decision to embark on the path he chose to.
Tosca chooses to remain private because, although she appreciates the success and recognition of her brother, she also wishes to let her own accomplishments
take the primary stage. In fact, on many occasions, she has told the media that she is not Elon’s sister first, she is her own person. In her own words, Tosca once said: “First I am.
Tosca Musk. Just my own person.” In this sense, it’s easy to see why Tosca values her privacy and chooses to remain private.
How have the Musk Siblings Helped each other in their Professional Life?
The Musk siblings have always shared a close bond – even when it comes to their professional pursuits. As mentioned, Elon has often looked to Tosca for moral and emotional support when times were hard, and vice-versa. Besides being siblings, Elon and Tosca have also worked together on many occasions. In 2016, Tosca and Elon collaborated with their other brother Kimbal Musk on a virtual reality project, which aimed to introduce children to coding. In addition, Elon has been a major investor in Tosca’s production company, Passionflix, which has helped the business grow exponentially.
As such, the two siblings have been helping each other in their professional endeavors, while also remaining close and supportive of one another. This support has evidently been of great comfort, especially during moments when Elon faced criticism or faced roadblocks in his various startups.
Conclusion
Tosca Musk’s story is nothing short of remarkable. Not only has she found success in the entertainment business in her own right, but she has also served as a pillar of emotional support for her brother Elon. Although fiercely private, she has her brother to thank for her achievements. Similarly, Elon has been very vocal about the emotional support Tosca has provided him in his journey to the top. All-in-all, their remarkable bond and achievements serve as proof of the success that can result from close family ties.
