Elon Reeve Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa. He showed an early interest in computing and technology, teaching himself computer programming at a young age. At 17, Musk moved to Canada to attend Queen’s University and later transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned two bachelor’s degrees in physics and economics.

After completing his studies, Musk co-founded Zip2, a software company that provided business directories and maps for newspapers. Compaq acquired Zip2 in 1999 for nearly $300 million. Musk used the proceeds from the sale to establish X.com, an online payment company. X.com eventually became PayPal and was acquired by eBay in 2002 for $1.5 billion in stock.

In 2004, Musk founded Tesla Motors (now Tesla, Inc.) with the goal of producing affordable electric cars. Despite facing significant challenges, including skepticism from the automotive industry and financial struggles, Musk turned Tesla into a leading electric car manufacturer. Tesla’s Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y have become popular electric vehicles.

In 2002, Musk founded Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) with the vision of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX has achieved several milestones in space exploration, including the first privately-funded spacecraft to reach orbit and the first privately-funded spacecraft to dock with the International Space Station. The company has also worked on reusable rocket technology, reducing the cost of space travel.

SolarCity, Neuralink, and The Boring Company:

Musk co-founded SolarCity, a solar energy products and services company, in 2006. He has also founded Neuralink, a neurotechnology company working on implantable brain-machine interfaces, and The Boring Company, which focuses on tunnel construction and infrastructure.

Musk proposed the Hyperloop concept in 2013, a high-speed transportation system using pressurized capsules in near-vacuum tubes. While Musk himself is not directly involved in building Hyperloop systems, his concept has inspired various companies and engineers to work on developing the technology.

Elon Musk has been married three times and has several children. He has made headlines for his ambitious projects, innovative ideas, and sometimes controversial statements on social media. Despite facing criticism and challenges, Musk’s influence on the tech and automotive industries is undeniable. His relentless pursuit of groundbreaking technologies has made him one of the most influential and talked-about entrepreneurs of the 21st century.