The other Musk: Who is Kimbal and why does he always wear a cowboy hat

Kimbal Musk, 52 years old, is an entrepreneur who lives in the shadow of his more famous brother, Elon, although his own business career has positioned him as a wealthy man. With an estimated fortune of $700 million, much of it comes from his equity stake in Tesla, where he owns approximately 0.04% of the company.

Brothers with Shared Roots

The Musks share much more than genes. Both were born in Pretoria, South Africa, and inherited similar facial features: a square jaw, a straight nose, and green eyes are distinctive family traits. Additionally, both brothers hold citizenship in three countries: South Africa, Canada, and the United States, reflecting the family migrations that marked their childhood.

What sets Kimbal apart from his older brother is his personal style: he is known for constantly wearing a cowboy hat, an accessory that has become his signature in public events and business meetings.

A Childhood Marked by Adversity

Kimbal grew up alongside Elon and his younger sister Tosca, who is 50 years old. The three siblings experienced a traumatic period during their childhood, being victims of family violence. This situation led their mother, Maya, then 76 years old, to decide to divorce in 1979, seeking to protect the minors from a hostile environment.

Subsequently, the family emigrated first to Canada and then to the United States, where both brothers started their first joint business project.

The First Venture: Zip2

In their years as young entrepreneurs, Kimbal and Elon founded Zip2, a pioneering company in enterprise software specialized for the internet. The project was successful, and in 1999 it was acquired by Compaq in a transaction valued at $307 million, marking the first major financial success for both brothers.

A Critical and Committed Personality

Unlike Elon’s public image, Kimbal has expressed concerns about environmental and social issues. Recently, he shared reflections on economic policies and their impacts on consumers on social media, demonstrating that he maintains his own independent perspective on current topics, even when his opinions diverge from those of his brother.

Despite their occasional public differences, the fraternal bonds of the Musks remain strong, showing that the family stays united beyond their individual stances on global issues.