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Introduction
Elon Musk has once again become the richest man in the world, with a personal fortune exceeding $400 billion. But reducing Musk to a number would be a mistake. He is an entrepreneur, innovator, father, and - according to many - a genius. He’s also a divisive figure, capable of igniting debate with every move. To truly understand Musk, you need to look beyond headlines and explore the path of a man who chose to confront the unknown - even when, in his own words, that meant “eating glass while staring into the abyss.”
The Roots: A Difficult Childhood in South Africa
Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Musk endured a childhood marked by isolation and bullying. Subjected to physical and verbal abuse, he found refuge in books and his imagination. His mother, Maye Musk, described him as a curious child, often lost in thought - more interested in humanity’s future than in playing with other kids. These early experiences shaped his resilience and his determination to build something extraordinary.
From the American Dream to a Technological Empire
Musk left South Africa for Canada, and then the United States, where he launched a series of ventures that are now transforming the world:
- Tesla: Revolutionized the automotive market by making electric and autonomous vehicles mainstream.
- SpaceX: Aims to colonize Mars. With rockets like Falcon 9 and the massive Falcon Heavy (120 meters tall, 33 engines), SpaceX made spaceflight reusable and significantly reduced launch costs.
- Starlink: A global satellite network delivering internet access to even the most remote regions of the planet.
- Tesla Optimus: A humanoid robot designed for domestic and industrial tasks.
- Neuralink: Perhaps Musk’s most ambitious project - aiming to connect the human brain to computers. Two quadriplegic patients have already achieved remarkable results: one plays chess online using only his thoughts, while the other - an architect - has returned to working on a computer the same way.
The Human Side: Family, Loss, and Fatherhood
Behind the genius is also a father. Musk has ten children from different relationships - some conceived via IVF or surrogacy. His deepest pain came with the loss of his firstborn, Nevada, who died just weeks after birth.
One of the most publicly known family episodes involves his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who legally changed her name and distanced herself from Musk due to ideological and personal differences. It's a complex and painful relationship that highlights the challenges of balancing public life with private struggles.
A School for His Children: Astra
Frustrated by traditional education systems, Musk founded Astra, a school without grades or rigid curricula, where learning is guided by curiosity. His vision? To give his children - and perhaps all of humanity - what he never had: the freedom to learn without limits.
Politics and the Future of Humanity
Following Donald Trump’s re-election, Musk became involved as an innovation and government efficiency advisor. Although often skeptical of politics, Musk's influence in the public sphere is growing.
He sees the future of humanity as a mission:
To save the planet, colonize space, master artificial intelligence, and transcend human biology.
Conclusion
Elon Musk is brilliant, controversial, and undeniably complex. But above all, he is driven by a relentless desire to push beyond boundaries—to face fears, challenge the impossible, and invite all of us to join him in this race toward the future.
It doesn't matter if the journey is painful, if it requires sacrifice, or even "chewing glass." For Musk, what matters is to keep looking beyond the horizon.
This article is adapted from episode #5 of the weekly series L’hAI Sentito? – Tech News Bites, hosted by Antonio Venece, Director of Geeks Academy, and broadcast every Wednesday on Channel 14 of Italian terrestrial TV.