At 78, Errol Musk sat alone in his modest home in Langebaan, South Africa, his weathered face reflecting a lifetime of triumphs, regrets, and unspoken truths. In a rare moment of vulnerability, the father of tech visionary Elon Musk allowed himself to revisit memories he had long buried—of a disciplined household, an ambitious son, and the complicated bond that had both shaped and estranged them.

A Rigorous Upbringing in Apartheid South Africa

In the Musk household of Pretoria, South Africa, Errol Musk ruled with unwavering discipline. As a self-made millionaire by 30, Errol believed in resilience and toughness, values he aimed to instill in his eldest son, Elon. Growing up in the apartheid era, Errol saw life as a battle where strength and discipline were key to survival.

“Life doesn’t give you softness,” Errol would say, running the household like a strict military camp. Weekends were not for cartoons or play but for grueling physical activities, rigorous study sessions, and lessons in engineering. Complaints and tears were met with stoic indifference. “You’re a Musk. We don’t make excuses,” he would assert.

Despite their wealth—complete with a luxurious home and a convertible Rolls-Royce—the Musk household lacked warmth. Errol’s expectations for Elon were sky-high. He often reminded his son of their lineage of engineers and innovators, saying, “One day, you’ll be the best of us.”

The Spark of Ambition and Friction

From a young age, Elon exhibited a precocious mind and boundless curiosity. His interests stretched far beyond his father’s expectations, delving into dreams of space travel, clean energy, and groundbreaking technologies. At seven, Elon confidently declared, “One day, I’ll be a millionaire,” a statement Errol initially dismissed but later recognized as the hallmark of his son’s indomitable will.

Elon’s drive to explore ideas beyond Errol’s understanding often led to friction. One dinner conversation about rockets ended with young Elon snapping, “You don’t get it, do you?” These moments planted seeds of tension between father and son, as Elon’s vision outpaced his father’s pragmatic worldview.

A Shattering Divorce and a Life-Altering Choice

Elon’s childhood took a dramatic turn when his parents’ marriage collapsed. At just eight years old, Elon was forced to choose between living with his mother, Maye, or his father. Despite Maye’s warmth, Elon chose to stay with Errol, seeking his approval and the challenges his father presented.

Life under Errol’s roof became even more rigid. Maye’s departure left no buffer for Errol’s relentless discipline. Elon faced mounting pressure, but the emotional cost was steep. “There are no shortcuts,” Errol would often say, expecting perfection in every task.

A Scandal That Severed Ties

As Elon matured, the bond with his father grew more strained, culminating in a scandal that would irreparably fracture their relationship. Errol revealed he had fathered a child with his former stepdaughter, Jana Bezuidenhout, over 40 years his junior. The revelation shocked not only the Musk family but also the public.

For Elon, this was a betrayal of the values Errol had once imposed so strictly. The man who had demanded honor and discipline now appeared reckless and morally compromised. While Errol dismissed the controversy, saying, “The only thing we are on Earth for is to reproduce,” Elon’s disappointment was palpable.

The Rise of Elon Musk: A Son Outgrows His Father

As Elon’s star ascended, the distance between father and son grew. From his early ventures like Zip2 and PayPal to his revolutionary work with Tesla and SpaceX, Elon became a global icon. His success was the embodiment of resilience and ambition, yet it was also a stark contrast to Errol’s more modest life.

Errol, watching from afar, felt a mix of pride and alienation. While he admired Elon’s accomplishments, the chasm between them was undeniable. The few conversations they shared were distant, marked more by formality than the connection of father and son.

A Reflection on Legacy

Now, as Errol spends his days in the quiet of South Africa, he reflects on a life marked by strict principles and the loss of a deeper bond with his son. “I was the one,” he whispered to himself, acknowledging the role he played in shaping Elon but also the emotional distance that came with it.

For Elon, the shadow of his father looms as both a source of motivation and a reminder of what he sought to escape. In interviews, he acknowledges Errol’s influence but avoids delving into their fractured relationship.

As the world marvels at Elon Musk’s achievements, Errol Musk remains a solitary figure, wrestling with the complexities of fatherhood, pride, and regret. Their story is a poignant reminder that even the brightest legacies are often forged in the shadows of personal sacrifice and unresolved pain.