The little-known heritage and story of Kimbal Musk, the South African entrepreneur who always surprises

Kimbal Musk, age 52, is much more than the brother of Tesla’s founder. Although his name appears less in headlines than Elon’s, this entrepreneur has accumulated an estimated fortune of $700 million, primarily derived from his 0.04% stake in Tesla. Despite his relative discretion in the media, he has proven to be a figure with his own opinions and, at times, controversial views.

Recently, Kimbal used his platform on X to question Trump’s economic policies, pointing out how certain tariffs end up impacting American consumers. Such statements reflect a thoughtful man, concerned about issues that go beyond his business sphere, a trait that sets him apart from the public image many have of his older brother.

Common roots, different paths

The Musk brothers share more than just a surname. Both were born in Pretoria, South Africa, and inherited very similar facial features: the same prominent jawline, straight nose, and piercing green eyes. Their nationality is also identical, holding South African, Canadian, and American passports. However, there is a visual detail that immediately distinguishes Kimbal: his inseparable cowboy hat, a garment that has become his personal trademark.

A marked childhood and an entrepreneurial start

The Musk family faced difficult times during their childhood. Kimbal, his older brother Elon, and his younger sister Tosca were exposed to a violent environment due to their father’s behavior. This situation led Maya, their mother, to make the difficult decision to divorce in 1979. After this family breakup, the family relocated first to Canada and later to the United States, seeking stability and a new beginning.

It was in the United States where the two brothers launched their first joint venture: Zip2, a business software platform designed for digital environments. The project was a success, culminating in its sale to Compaq in 1999 for $307 million. This initial milestone provides context on how both brothers developed their entrepreneurial mindset from an early age.

Unlike Elon, who continued with larger-scale technological projects, Kimbal has channeled his energy into initiatives focused on sustainability and well-being, reflecting his publicly expressed concern for the planet.