Errol Musk, the father of tech billionaire Elon Musk, has always had a knack for making headlines – and his latest remarks are no exception. In a recent interview with LBC’s Tom Swarbrick, Errol didn’t hold back when addressing his son’s controversial tweets. His message? “Stop listening to Elon’s tweets.”
At 79 years old, Errol Musk is no stranger to public scrutiny, especially with a son as high-profile as Elon. But despite his billionaire offspring, Errol continues to speak his mind, often with a refreshing bluntness that stands in contrast to the carefully curated personas of most public figures.
The Father-Son Dynamic
Errol Musk’s relationship with Elon has been complicated, to say the least. While Elon has often spoken about his tough upbringing, Errol’s perspective is notably different. In the interview, he reminded listeners that Elon’s deep connection to the UK stems from childhood experiences. “I took him there when he was six. He even celebrated his 30th birthday in England by renting a castle for a week,” Errol recalled fondly.
Despite their differences, Errol maintains a unique pride in Elon’s achievements. After all, Elon Musk, now 52 years old and with an estimated net worth of $240 billion, continues to shape industries from space exploration to electric vehicles. Errol, however, prefers to view his son through a different lens. “He’s just a person,” he told Swarbrick. “The fact that he has money or something, he’s a billionaire or something to that effect… Tell him to get lost.”
A Wealthy Yet Private Life
Errol Musk may not have Elon’s level of fame, but he’s led a colorful and successful life in his own right. A former electromechanical engineer and property developer, Errol built a comfortable fortune over the years. Though his exact net worth isn’t publicly known, estimates suggest it sits around $10 million. Errol’s wealth stems from his engineering work and investments, primarily in South Africa, where he has spent most of his life.
Errol Musk is also known for his larger-than-life family. He has seven children from multiple relationships, including Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca Musk. Kimbal is a successful entrepreneur and restaurateur, while Tosca is a filmmaker and founder of Passionflix, a streaming service for romance movies.
Candid Opinions on UK Politics
Errol Musk’s interview wasn’t just about family anecdotes – he also had sharp words for the current state of UK politics. While Elon’s tweets about UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s handling of grooming gangs stirred controversy, Errol dismissed the drama, suggesting that British leaders were overreacting. Still, Errol did issue a cautionary note, describing the political atmosphere as “draconian” and warning of troubling historical parallels.
His comments reflect a man deeply interested in global affairs, with Errol describing himself as “a student of history.” This broader perspective often colors his opinions, giving insight into why Elon may share similarly strong views on political matters.
Starmer’s Response
While Errol shrugged off his son’s political involvement, UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wasn’t so forgiving. Starmer criticized Elon’s support of far-right activist Tommy Robinson, calling it a “desperate grab for attention” that fueled online harassment. Starmer praised MP Jess Phillips for her work supporting victims of abuse and condemned those who weaponized sensitive issues for political gain.
Errol’s take? Keep it simple. “He’s just a guy with a phone,” he joked, emphasizing that Elon’s tweets shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
A Musk Who Marches to His Own Beat
Errol Musk continues to live life unapologetically, a stark contrast to Elon’s relentless pursuit of futuristic innovation. Whether he’s reminiscing about Elon’s childhood or critiquing world politics, Errol Musk offers a candid, unfiltered perspective that often catches people by surprise.
While he might not be sending rockets to Mars, Errol Musk’s straightforward, no-nonsense approach to life makes him just as fascinating in his own right.