Billionaire Kimbal Musk: Elon's Brother, Cowboy Hat, and Criticism of Power

Kimbal Musk, a 52-year-old with a net worth of $700 million, is known not only as the brother of Tesla founder and OpenAI co-founder Elon Musk but also as a public figure who actively criticizes political decisions. Although Kimbal Musk rarely appears in international media, his opinions on U.S. domestic politics are becoming increasingly noticeable. Recently, he publicly opposed the current administration’s tariff strategy, sparking discussions within the entrepreneurial and activist communities.

Sharp Criticism of Tariff Policies by Kimbal Musk

In recent days, Kimbal Musk has been actively using the X platform to express his political views. In one of his latest posts, he wrote: “Who would have thought that Trump is actually the U.S. president who imposed the highest taxes in generations? Thanks to his tariff strategy, he has introduced a structural and permanent tax on American consumers.” These words show that the younger brother is not afraid to openly express dissatisfaction, even when it concerns influential figures.

Notably, his criticism comes from someone who owns shares in Tesla (0.04%), making his stance on economic policy particularly relevant to the business community. There are certain disagreements between the brothers on political issues, but family ties remain strong.

From Family Crisis to Success: The Musk Story

Kimbal Musk’s biography begins in Pretoria, where he was born in the same South African city as his older brother Elon (53). Both boys’ childhoods were marred by domestic violence from their father, which influenced the development of their characters and values. Along with their younger sister Tosca (50), they endured a traumatic period after their mother, Maea (76), divorced in 1979 and started a new life.

The family migration first took them to Canada, then to the United States, where the two brothers and their sister gained new opportunities. This move became a turning point in their lives, allowing them to realize their entrepreneurial potential.

Portrait of Kimbal Musk: Similarities and Differences with Elon

The physical resemblance between Kimbal and Elon is striking: both have square jaws, straight noses, and green eyes inherited from their South African roots. They also hold triple citizenship — South African, Canadian, and American. However, while Elon is known for his love of technology and space exploration, Kimbal Musk has established himself as an activist concerned with social issues and sustainable development. His signature accessory is a cowboy hat, which has become a symbol of his unique personality and sets him apart from his brother in any situation.

Zip2: The Brothers Musk’s First Successful Venture

Before Elon Musk founded PayPal and SpaceX, the brothers teamed up to create Zip2 — a startup specializing in business software for the internet. This project, launched in the late 1990s, was the brothers’ first serious attempt to amass wealth. In 1999, they sold Zip2 to Compaq for a substantial $307 million, marking the beginning of their entrepreneurial empire.

This success allowed both brothers to invest in their subsequent projects. Kimbal Musk used the proceeds not only for financial speculation but also to implement social initiatives focused on ecology and public welfare — which ultimately shaped his reputation as someone who cares about the planet.

Despite occasional disagreements over political views, Kimbal Musk and his brother Elon remain close, maintaining family bonds strengthened through overcoming childhood hardships.