Errol Musk, A Free-Spirited And Inspiring Father
Errol Musk, born in 1945 and the father of world-famous entrepreneur Elon Musk, is an incredible figure that had an integral part in shaping one of the most-renowned personalities of all time. His non-conformist, free-spirited persona drew parallels with his son who, like his father, was often discouraged from traditional thought and instead forged his own path by shunning mainstream norms.
Errol was born in Pretoria, South Africa, to Harry and Hope Musk who were later divorced. He studied engineering and met his soon-to-be-wife, Maye, while they were attending the same all-girls school. They soon married and had four children; Kimbal and Tosca – the only two children that Errol had with Maye – and then later Elon and his younger sister, Karyn.
Errol’s differing religious and political viewpoints created an atmosphere of openness at home, with Elon and his siblings being taught to think for themselves and encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings in every situation. Errol’s unconventional outlook on life also had a notable effect on Elon and Kimbal as they underwent their teenage years, spurring them to explore their outside interests from an early age.
An influential aspect of Errol’s life was his upbringing as a pilot during the Apartheid years in South Africa. He acquired his pilot’s license at the age of sixteen and went on to pilot all manner of aircraft – from small passenger planes to military jets and helicopters. His experience piloting in the Apartheid era provided him with a unique, principled take on the world and life, which formed the basis of his teachings to his four children.
In an interview with ABC News, Elon said that his father’s ethos of ‘always think for yourself and question authority’, would remain instilled in him forever. He also spoke of his father’s unwavering loyalty towards others, recounting how he would always offer his help whether to family members or complete strangers.
Errol’s Good-Natured Interests
Errol was an avid lover of outdoor activities such as sailing, fishing and hunting. He was always seen to wear the same attire: a white cow-boy hat, a moustache and a mischievous smile. His love of nature and the outdoors is something he passed on to his children, particularly to Elon who, despite his intense work schedule, still takes the time to find a distraction in the outdoors whenever he can.
A High Respect for Education
Errol valued education and higher learning to the high degree, believing that knowledge is the most important tool in life. He pushed his children to pursue degrees, pushing them to be the best they could. This is evident in the Elon Musk’s success, having graduated from a prestigious university with a degree in economics and with a Ph.D. in physics.
Errol values knowledge and wisdom so much that he pushed his son to double major. Out of all of his children, Elon was the most successful at college and Errol encouraged him to pursue what interested him the most, rather than just settling for the more traditional choices.
The Role of Errol in Raising Daughters
Being the father of two girls, Errol also set out a good example for them to follow in the future. According to a statement from Elon, Errol made sure to prioritize them and even grant me-time to each of them. This resulted in a unique relationship between the two daughters and their father, which made them independent and fearless when going out on the world.
Having seen the struggles of apartheid, first-hand Errol was aware of the importance of education and pushed his two daughters to believe in themselves, knowing that they could achieve anything if they set their minds to it. His own life as a pilot would have certainly strengthened his beliefs in this regard.
In spite of the traditional roles of women in South Africa at that time, Errol raised his daughters with the same level of responsibility, respect and dignity that he gave his sons.
The Influence of Errol on Elon’s Career and Personality
Errol had a great influence on Elon’s career and the personality traits which shaped the famous engineer we all know today. He prioritized education and encouraged Elon to challenge the norm. He also served as an example of a strong character who inspired his children to be their own.
Errol’s free-spirited personality and his firm belief in the power of knowledge has, no doubt, been reflected in the life of Elon. It is certain that without the influence of Errol, the eccentric billionaire might not have had the same success and outlook.
A Strong Bond of Love with His Four Children
With Elon and Tosca’s siblings, Errol raised four children perfectly. Despite their vast differences in personalities, he always remained an ever-encouraging father figure, who set out to foster his children’s imagination and dream large.
Despite his initial doubts, he supported Elon’s decision to drop out of college, eventually leading him to success. This support was important for Elon in what was the very beginning of his career, as his father remained his rock and his guide throughout those formative, early years.
What Made Errol a Father of a Legend?
What made Errol truly remarkable in the parentage of a genius like Elon is that he allowed his children to have an open-minded approach towards life. Rather than being strict about ‘how things should be done’, he emphasized thought-provoking learning, making sure that it was never forced down the throats of his children.
From this environment, Elon flourished and quickly rose to prominence, while others around him struggled with the traditional learning pathways. His unique way of thinking and his creativity are largely credited to his father, who pushed him to think differently, the same way the world has seen Elon Musk break the status quo with his own inventive projects.
The Special Heritage of Knowledge
Errol was a professor of electrical engineering at the South African College of Applied Arts and was regarded as one of the most revered practitioners in the field. Corroborating his prior experience as a pilot, he later also acquired a degree in law.
This broad range of study and experience enabled Errol to provide guidance to his children in a holistic way. He could offer advice from many perspectives, ranging from science and technology to business, law and finance. He extended the reach of knowledge to his children, allowing them to access resources and teachings which weren’t available to the general public at the time.
From his numerous studies, Errol made sure to teach his children every aspect of the areas he was involved in, from the fundamentals of mathematics to the basics of engineering. With this education in hand, it allowed Elon and his sister to move forward and achieve greater success.
A Troubled Relationship Towards The End
The Musk family, although father and son had their differences, was a close and loving one. Towards the end, Errol and Elon had some disagreements, mostly due to conflicting intellectual and political perspectives. These issues came to a head in 2008, when Elon decided to move to the United States. Little did they know that this would be the last time they would see each other as Errol passed away one year later.
Despite their fall-out, Elon still holds Errol and his teachings close to his heart, expressing his profound respect and admiration in an article dedicated to his father. Elon wrote “I think his greatest flaw, when it came to relating to a genius like myself, was that he could appreciate that I was special and I suppose my sister was similarly gifted, but to him, all people were a bit special in their own way”.
An Inspirational Father to an Ever-Evolving Entrepreneur
Not many father-son relationships spawn so much success and inspiration. Errol laid the foundation for what was to become an unimaginable journey for both himself and his son.
Errol Musk was and is a major source of inspiration and his legacy will live on in the great life of Elon. They had a beautiful relationship that, although filled with disagreement, was and is a source of admiration and success for generations to come.
