Elon Musk: The World's Most Influential Entrepreneur
Elon Reeve Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa. As of right now, he is exactly -- years old. Our exact days calculator above updates every second, showing his precise age down to the minute.
From PayPal to Tesla, SpaceX to X (formerly Twitter), Musk has consistently pushed the boundaries of technology, transportation, and space exploration. He became the world's richest person in January 2021 and has remained among the top positions since.
🚀 Elon Musk's Milestone Timeline (Exact Ages)
Here's what Elon Musk accomplished at each age—calculated to the exact day:
Age 12 (1983)
Sold his first software—a video game called "Blastar"—for $500
Age 17 (1988)
Left South Africa for Canada to avoid military service and pursue opportunities
Age 24 years, 2 months (1995)
Co-founded Zip2 with his brother Kimbal
Age 27 years, 8 months (Feb 1999)
Sold Zip2 to Compaq for $307 million—Elon's share: $22 million
Age 27 years, 9 months (Mar 1999)
Co-founded X.com (which became PayPal)
Age 31 years, 1 month (Jul 2002)
eBay acquired PayPal for $1.5 billion—Elon's share: $165 million
Age 30 years, 10 months (May 2002)
Founded SpaceX with $100 million of his PayPal fortune
Age 32 years, 8 months (Feb 2004)
Led Tesla's Series A funding round, becoming chairman
Age 37 years, 3 months (Sep 2008)
SpaceX Falcon 1 became first privately-funded liquid rocket to reach orbit
Age 39 years, 0 months (Jun 2010)
Tesla IPO—first American car company to go public since Ford in 1956
Age 40 years, 9 months (Mar 2012)
SpaceX Dragon became first commercial spacecraft to dock with ISS
Age 44 years, 6 months (Dec 2015)
SpaceX successfully landed Falcon 9 first stage—revolutionizing rocketry
Age 49 years, 7 months (Jan 2021)
Became the world's richest person with $185 billion net worth
Age 51 years, 3 months (Oct 2022)
Completed $44 billion acquisition of Twitter, renamed to X
Age 52 years, 10 months (Apr 2024)
Tesla reaches 6 million electric vehicles produced
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💰 Elon Musk & Cryptocurrency
Musk has been one of the most influential figures in cryptocurrency, particularly with Dogecoin (DOGE) and Bitcoin (BTC). Learn more about cryptocurrency and blockchain technology with cryptocurrency books on Amazon.
- January 2021: Added #Bitcoin to Twitter bio—BTC jumped 20% within hours
- February 2021: Tesla announced $1.5 billion Bitcoin purchase
- May 2021: Tesla suspended Bitcoin payments citing environmental concerns
- Dogecoin: Called himself the "Dogefather"—DOGE rose over 12,000% in 2021
- December 2022: Added Dogecoin payments to Twitter/X merchandise
- 2024: SpaceX holds Bitcoin on balance sheet; Tesla still holds ~9,720 BTC
🐕 Dogecoin Fun Fact
A single Musk tweet can move Dogecoin's price by 10-50%. He owns Dogecoin personally and has called it "the people's crypto."
📊 Elon Musk Quick Facts
Full Name
Elon Reeve Musk
Born
June 28, 1971
Birthplace
Pretoria, South Africa
Citizenship
South Africa, Canada, USA
Children
12 (as of 2024)
Net Worth (2024)
~$200+ billion
🎂 When Is Elon Musk's Next Birthday?
Elon Musk's birthday is June 28th. According to our live counter, his next birthday is in -- days. On that day, he will turn -- years old.
Want to calculate your own exact age? Use our Exact Days Calculator to find out how many days you've been alive! Learn more about Musk's innovations with Tesla and SpaceX books on Amazon.
🌍 Early Life: From South Africa to Silicon Valley
Elon Reeve Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa, to Maye Musk, a model and dietitian, and Errol Musk, an engineer. Growing up in South Africa during apartheid, Musk developed an early interest in computers and technology, teaching himself programming at a young age. At age 12, he created and sold his first software—a video game called "Blastar"—for $500, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit from an early age.
Musk's childhood was marked by challenges, including bullying and a difficult relationship with his father. These experiences may have contributed to his drive and determination to succeed. At age 17, he left South Africa for Canada to avoid mandatory military service and pursue better opportunities, eventually making his way to the United States to attend the University of Pennsylvania.
Musk attended Queen's University in Canada before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned degrees in economics and physics. He then enrolled at Stanford University to pursue a Ph.D. in applied physics but dropped out after just two days to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities during the dot-com boom of the 1990s.
💻 Zip2 and PayPal: The Foundation of Success
In 1995, at age 24, Musk co-founded Zip2 with his brother Kimbal. The company provided business directories and maps for newspapers, an early internet service that predated Google Maps. In 1999, Compaq acquired Zip2 for $307 million, with Musk receiving $22 million from the sale. This success provided the capital for his next venture.
Later in 1999, Musk co-founded X.com, an online payment company. After a merger with Confinity, the company became PayPal, which revolutionized online payments and e-commerce. In 2002, eBay acquired PayPal for $1.5 billion, with Musk receiving $165 million from the sale. This substantial payout gave him the resources to pursue his more ambitious goals in space exploration and sustainable energy.
🚀 SpaceX: Revolutionizing Space Travel
In 2002, Musk founded SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corp.) with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and eventually enabling the colonization of Mars. The company faced numerous challenges in its early years, with three consecutive failed launches of the Falcon 1 rocket. However, in 2008, SpaceX achieved a major milestone when the Falcon 1 became the first privately-funded liquid-fueled rocket to reach orbit.
SpaceX has since revolutionized the space industry with innovations including reusable rockets, which dramatically reduce launch costs. The company's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets have become workhorses for commercial and government launches, while the Starship program aims to enable human missions to Mars. SpaceX has also developed the Dragon spacecraft, which regularly delivers cargo and crew to the International Space Station.
Musk's vision for SpaceX extends beyond Earth orbit. He has stated that making humanity a multi-planetary species is essential for long-term survival, and SpaceX's ultimate goal is to establish a self-sustaining city on Mars. This ambitious vision has inspired both supporters and critics, but it has undeniably reinvigorated public interest in space exploration.
⚡ Tesla: Accelerating the Transition to Sustainable Energy
Musk joined Tesla Motors (now Tesla, Inc.) in 2004 as chairman and lead investor, becoming CEO in 2008. Under his leadership, Tesla has transformed from a small startup to the world's most valuable automaker, pioneering electric vehicles and sustainable energy solutions. Tesla's mission to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy has driven innovation in battery technology, solar energy, and energy storage.
Tesla's impact extends beyond just making electric cars. The company has built a network of Supercharger stations, developed energy storage solutions for homes and businesses, and integrated solar energy systems. Tesla's success has also forced traditional automakers to accelerate their own electric vehicle programs, demonstrating the company's influence on the entire automotive industry.
Musk's leadership style at Tesla has been characterized by ambitious goals, rapid innovation, and a willingness to take risks. The company's approach to manufacturing, including its Gigafactories and vertical integration, has challenged traditional automotive industry practices and demonstrated new possibilities for production efficiency.
🌐 Other Ventures: Neuralink, The Boring Company, and X
Beyond SpaceX and Tesla, Musk has founded or co-founded several other companies. Neuralink, founded in 2016, aims to develop brain-computer interfaces that could help treat neurological conditions and eventually enable direct communication between human brains and computers. The Boring Company, also founded in 2016, focuses on tunnel construction and infrastructure, with the goal of reducing traffic through underground transportation systems.
In 2022, Musk acquired Twitter (now X) for $44 billion, making him one of the most influential figures in social media. His acquisition and subsequent changes to the platform have generated significant controversy and discussion about free speech, content moderation, and the role of social media in society.
💡 Innovation Philosophy and Leadership Style
Musk's approach to innovation is characterized by setting ambitious goals, working long hours, and maintaining a hands-on involvement in technical details. He is known for his ability to understand complex engineering problems and his willingness to challenge conventional wisdom. His companies often pursue "moonshot" projects that seem impossible but have the potential for transformative impact.
Musk's leadership style has been both praised and criticized. Supporters point to his ability to inspire teams, drive innovation, and achieve seemingly impossible goals. Critics point to his demanding work expectations, controversial public statements, and the intense pressure he places on employees. However, there's no denying his impact on multiple industries and his ability to execute on ambitious visions.
🌍 Impact and Legacy
Musk's impact extends across multiple industries and has influenced how we think about transportation, energy, space exploration, and technology. His companies have created thousands of jobs, advanced technological capabilities, and inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs and engineers.
As we track how old Elon Musk is and count down to his next birthday, we witness the ongoing career of one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern business and technology. His journey from a young programmer in South Africa to leading multiple transformative companies demonstrates the power of vision, determination, and the willingness to take on seemingly impossible challenges.