3 ms·

Elon’s alcoholic and abusive father (whom his family fled South Africa for Canada to escape when Elon was 17) claims to have had a small ownership interest in a

Elon’s alcoholic and abusive father (whom his family fled South Africa for Canada to escape when Elon was 17) claims to have had a small ownership interest in a now defunct emerald mine, but there’s no record of it and the rest of his family have all denied his claim. He was by all accounts a broke drunk.

ashwagary 5y ago
His Dad says the opposite and I tend to believe him. One would have to be a complete moron to stay poor if white and living in an apartheid state where almost 90% of the population is oppressed because of skin color. >“We were very wealthy,” says Errol. “We had so much money at times we couldn't even close our safe.” >With one person holding the money in place, another other would slam the door. >“And then there'd still be all these notes sticking out and we'd sort of pull them out and put them in our pockets.” https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musks-dad-tells-bi-about-the-familys-casual-attitude-to-wealth-2018-2 https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musks-dad-tells-bi-abou...
- v0idzer0 5y ago
  Yeah I read the story. The full thing sheds a lot more light on what was actually happening which was a drunk father was becoming increasing insecure hearing about the son he used to beat being so successful and started telling stories. There are not only 3 other differing accounts, but others have vouched for the fact that Elon arrived in Canada with just $1000 and often had to shower at the YMCA in the early days. He’s also on record having worked various low paying manual labor odd jobs in Canada. Not exactly what you’d expect from a son of generational exploitation wealth.
  - ashwagary 5y ago
    >others have vouched for the fact that Elon arrived in Canada with just $1000 I dont buy the claim and strongly believe Paypal was built to move undeclared stolen/smuggled resource wealth into the western banking system. The average American is generally clueless about how white miners have historically operated in Africa. Not totally the public's fault since positive spin is relatively cheap/easy to buy for these types.
    - worik 5y ago
      Ouch! That is a strong claim, even when expressed as a belief. I am not sure it is a very sensible way to do that. Electronic paper trails everywhere.

ashwagary 5y ago

His Dad says the opposite and I tend to believe him. One would have to be a complete moron to stay poor if white and living in an apartheid state where almost 90% of the population is oppressed because of skin color. >“We were very wealthy,” says Errol. “We had so much money at times we couldn't even close our safe.” >With one person holding the money in place, another other would slam the door. >“And then there'd still be all these notes sticking out and we'd sort of pull them out and put them in our pockets.” https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musks-dad-tells-bi-about-the-familys-casual-attitude-to-wealth-2018-2 https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musks-dad-tells-bi-abou...

v0idzer0 5y ago
Yeah I read the story. The full thing sheds a lot more light on what was actually happening which was a drunk father was becoming increasing insecure hearing about the son he used to beat being so successful and started telling stories. There are not only 3 other differing accounts, but others have vouched for the fact that Elon arrived in Canada with just $1000 and often had to shower at the YMCA in the early days. He’s also on record having worked various low paying manual labor odd jobs in Canada. Not exactly what you’d expect from a son of generational exploitation wealth.
- ashwagary 5y ago
  >others have vouched for the fact that Elon arrived in Canada with just $1000 I dont buy the claim and strongly believe Paypal was built to move undeclared stolen/smuggled resource wealth into the western banking system. The average American is generally clueless about how white miners have historically operated in Africa. Not totally the public's fault since positive spin is relatively cheap/easy to buy for these types.
  - worik 5y ago
    Ouch! That is a strong claim, even when expressed as a belief. I am not sure it is a very sensible way to do that. Electronic paper trails everywhere.