Warning: This article discusses child abuse which may be distressing to some readers.
A New York Times investigation has revealed allegations against Errol Musk, accusing him of abusing his own children and step-children. Errol Musk is the father of tech mogul Elon Musk and has fathered at least nine children and step-children, including at least one child with his step-daughter, Jana Bezuidenhout.
Accusations of sexual abuse involve five of his children and stepchildren, with incidents reportedly occurring in South Africa and California.
The earliest reported incident occurred in 1993 when his four-year-old step-daughter accused him of inappropriate touching.
In the early 2000s, his step-daughter alleged she witnessed Errol engaging in inappropriate behavior, such as sniffing her underwear, while family members suspected him of abusing his daughters and stepson.
In 2023, a five-year-old son also alleged abuse, claiming Errol had inappropriately touched him.
Police and court records, alongside family testimonies, indicate three separate investigations were initiated.
Two investigations were concluded, but the details around the third remain ‘unclear’ according to the Times.
Errol Musk has not been convicted of any of these charges.
He told the Times that the allegations are “false and nonsense in the extreme”.
He suggested the accusations were made up by family members aiming to extract money from his son, Elon Musk, by influencing the children to provide false statements.
The Times noted that in one email, Errol Musk acknowledged awareness of only one accusation but offered explanations for two others.
He also mentioned that he shares a good relationship with Elon, describing it as ‘very close’.
Errol Musk has fathered at least nine children with various partners: three with his first wife, Maye Musk—Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca—one with his second wife, Sue Wilson, and at least two with his third wife, Heide-Mari Bezuidenhout.
Additionally, he fathered at least one child with Heide-Mari’s daughter, Jana, who was once his stepdaughter, after raising her during her childhood.
In his 2015 biography, Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future, it is noted that Elon and his first wife Justine chose not to let Errol see their children after discovering he had a child with his stepdaughter.
The 2023 authorized biography indicates that Elon Musk no longer maintains contact with his father.
In a 2017 interview, Elon Musk expressed deep emotions to Rolling Stone magazine, stating his father had committed ‘almost every evil thing you could possibly think of.’
A step-daughter of Errol Musk told The Times that her ‘main financial support comes from Elon Musk.’
“Elon has always been there,” she affirmed, mentioning that the billionaire provides her with monthly financial support and has purchased a car for her.
For those affected by these issues or who wish to speak confidentially regarding child welfare, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) is available 24/7 and serves the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico.