Elon Musk’s father Errol Musk had fathered two children with his former stepdaughter Jana Bezuidenhout. He met Jana when she was just four years old. Errol had a deeply romantic relationship with Jana, who was 30 at the time of their first child’s birth in 2017.
The Decade-Long Divide and Reconnection
Errol married Jana’s mother, Heide Bezuidenhout, in the early 1990s. Jana, born from Heide’s previous relationship, was only four when Errol became her stepfather. Though Errol later divorced Heide, he “helped her get over a breakup” many years later. In 2014, the two reconnected, and a romantic involvement led to Jana giving birth to Errol’s child two years later. A second child followed in 2019.
Elon Musk’s Recoil and Public Outrage
Elon Musk was reportedly appalled by the affair, describing it as the breaking point in an already fractured father-son relationship. Public statements and media coverage confirm that Elon and his ex-wife Justine barred Errol from seeing their own children after discovering his relationship with Jana. Elon has described his father as “evil” and “terrible,” claiming Errol “has done almost every evil thing you can possibly think of”. His disgust is shared by social media and some family members, who called the relationship “sick” and “disgusting” .
Errol’s Defense: “Show Me the Rules”
In televised interviews, Errol dismisses societal condemnation, saying age gap and prior step-relationship don’t matter: “Show me the rules.” He maintains that love is beyond conventional boundaries and that the family has accepted the arrangement .
Family Dynamics: Tensions and Estrangements
Errol has seven children: three with his first wife Maye Musk (Elon, Kimbal, Tosca), two daughters with Heide, and the two controversial children with Jana. Reports from People magazine say that he now lives with Jana and their two young children in South Africa, though the rest of the family remains estranged. Public reaction—including posts on Reddit—has been fierce. One user said:
“Gross! That whole family is vile…”
Errol’s Criticism of Elon as a Father
In another controversial move, Errol criticized Elon’s parenting, claiming Elon relied excessively on nannies. He suggested that Elon’s first child, Nevada, died partly due to inadequate parental involvement. “He hasn’t been a good dad,” Errol said on the “Wide Awake” podcast. Many pointed out the irony, given Errol’s own contentious parental choices
Elon’s Expanding Family
While the spotlight remains on Errol’s scandal, Elon Musk himself continues to grow his own brood. As of now, he has 14 children with four different women:
- With Justine Wilson: Nevada (deceased), twins Griffin & Vivian, and triplets Kai, Saxon & Damian.
- With Grimes: X Æ A-Xii, Exa Dark Sideræl, and Techno Mechanicus.
- With Shivon Zilis (Neuralink exec): twins Strider & Azure (born Nov 2021), daughter Arcadia (Feb 2024), and son Seldon Lycurgus (Feb 2025).
- With Ashley St. Clair: son Romulus (born late 2024). Musk confirmed paternity via test.
Elon has voiced interest in encouraging population growth, encouraging “legion-level” reproduction before a potential apocalypse—but still remains outspoken and divisive.
A Complex Legacy
The Musk family saga weaves public scandal, personal conviction, and fierce criticism. The bizarre relationship between Errol and Jana further fractures an already tattered family cohesion. As Elon continues expanding his own family, these controversies cast a sharp light on generational tensions, moral boundaries, and what constitutes responsible parenthood.
