In a recent revelation, an English relative of Elon Musk shared an account of a brief, seemingly dismissive exchange with the billionaire entrepreneur. According to retired merchant seaman Marshall Robinson, who is related to Musk, a family member had reached out to him via social media, only to receive a curt reply from Musk: “What do you want?” This stark response highlights the growing estrangement between the Tesla CEO and his extended family, especially those from his English roots.
Musk, whose wealth is estimated at around $444 billion, holds the title of the world’s richest person. Born in Pretoria, South Africa in 1971, Musk comes from a Canadian mother, Maye Musk, a model, and his father, Errol, an electromechanical engineer. Although he was born in South Africa, Musk identifies strongly with British heritage, citing a lineage that traces back to England.
His maternal grandmother, Cora Robinson, hailed from Liverpool, where she grew up with her siblings in a family known for being hard-working and proud. Cora eventually moved to South Africa with her husband, Walter, in 1944, where their son, Errol Musk, was born. Errol would later father Elon, his brother Kimbal, and sister Tosca.
Despite his South African birthplace, Musk has frequently expressed pride in his English ancestry. In 2024, he even compared his heritage to that of J.R.R. Tolkien, asserting that his background was more aligned with British culture than Afrikaner culture, a statement that seems to emphasize his connection to England.
Elon Musk’s relationship with his extended family in England, however, has been distant. His cousin, Marshall Robinson, aged 86, recounted a brief and unremarkable interaction he had with the tech mogul. Despite having never met Musk in person, Robinson remembered a time when he tried to contact him.
A family member sent a message through social media, but the response was less than warm: “What do you want?” The briefness of Musk’s reply left Robinson stunned, and he expressed his frustration over his relative’s behavior, calling him “stupid” for some of the public statements Musk has made over the years.
Robinson’s frustration was not just about the cold reception but also Musk’s political affiliations and public image. He voiced his dismay over Musk’s connections to figures like President-Elect Donald Trump, calling it “shocking” that his family was now linked to such high-profile political figures.
Another relative, Robinson’s sister Shane, who is 67 years old, also shared her thoughts on the matter. Like her brother, Shane had no direct interaction with Musk but stumbled upon the family connection while researching her family tree. She admitted that, while she had been in contact with Kimbal and Errol, she never attempted to reach out to Elon.
She explained that although she was surprised to discover their familial tie, she had not felt the need to approach him, recognizing that Musk might have little interest in maintaining a relationship with his “poor relations.” Shane acknowledged Musk’s intelligence but noted that intelligent individuals sometimes struggle with personal connections, as their behavior might be misunderstood.
Despite their lack of direct communication with Musk, both Robinson and Shane seem to feel that, while Musk’s intellect is undeniable, his aloofness and controversial public persona have led to strained relationships with his extended family.
These remarks paint a picture of a wealthy, successful individual who, despite his remarkable achievements and financial success, has become increasingly disconnected from his roots and distant family members. The situation also raises questions about the personal side of Musk’s life and how the pressures of fame and fortune have affected his ability to maintain meaningful connections with those who share his family heritage.
The saga of Musk’s strained relationship with his English relatives highlights a growing divide between his public persona and private life. While Musk continues to lead groundbreaking ventures like Tesla and SpaceX, his interactions with family members suggest a more isolated and perhaps misunderstood figure, whose brilliance may sometimes be at odds with his personal relationships. Whether this will change in the future remains to be seen, but for now, it seems that Elon Musk remains a distant figure to many of his relatives in England.