Errol Musk, father of tech billionaire Elon Musk, has openly criticized his son’s parenting style, claiming Elon relies too heavily on nannies and fails to be present for his children. During a candid interview on the Wide Awake podcast on February 12, Errol Musk did not hold back, alleging that Elon’s wealth led to his children being raised by others.
According to Errol Musk, Elon’s parenting approach suffered due to his reliance on hired help, especially after his divorce from his first wife, Justine Wilson Musk. He claimed that each of Elon’s five sons had their own nanny, describing the situation as “weird” and “overly luxurious.” Errol Musk argued that this lifestyle contributed to a lack of personal involvement from Elon, leading to what he described as parenting failures.
Errol Musk specifically pointed to the tragic death of Elon and Justine’s first child, Nevada, who passed away from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in 2002. He controversially blamed Elon, suggesting the child died while under a nanny’s care. Errol admitted that his remarks would anger Elon but insisted he was speaking the truth as he saw it.
A Complicated Family History
Errol Musk, now 78, has a complex relationship with his son, Elon. The two have publicly clashed in the past, with Elon calling his father a “terrible human being” in a 2017 Rolling Stone interview. Elon also expressed regret for choosing to live with his father after his parents’ divorce, describing the decision as a mistake.
Despite their strained relationship, Errol Musk has defended his son on some occasions. However, his recent statements about Elon’s parenting have intensified tensions. The public reaction has been intense, with social media users expressing shock at Errol’s accusations. Some criticized Errol Musk for airing family grievances publicly, while others were stunned by his blunt assessment of Elon’s personal life.
Who Is Errol Musk?
Errol Musk is a South African engineer, businessman, and former politician. He gained wealth as a property developer, becoming a millionaire long before Elon Musk rose to global fame. Errol Musk’s fortune is estimated to be around $5 million in 2025, largely earned through construction projects, real estate investments, and other lucrative ventures.
His personal life has been marked by controversy, including his relationship with Jana Bezuidenhout, his stepdaughter from his marriage to Heide Bezuidenhout. Errol and Jana have two children together, a situation that has sparked public criticism due to the unconventional family dynamics.
Errol Musk has six other children from previous relationships, including Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca Musk with his first wife, Maye Haldeman, and two children with Heide Bezuidenhout. He has defended his approach to family and procreation, once stating that “the only thing we are on Earth for is to reproduce.”
A History of Family Drama
The Musk family saga is filled with complex relationships, financial disputes, and public feuds. Errol Musk’s recent comments are the latest in a long history of controversy surrounding the Musk family. Elon Musk, now one of the world’s richest individuals, has often spoken about his difficult relationship with his father, even accusing him of committing “almost every evil thing you could possibly think of.”
Despite these tensions, Errol Musk maintains that he loves his children and has always tried to provide for them. Yet, his harsh criticism of Elon’s parenting has widened the rift between them, drawing intense public scrutiny.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.