10 Things You Didn’t Know About Elon Musk

From sci-fi dreams to tunnel-digging ventures – here are 10 surprising facts about the tech icon.

Elon Musk is a name most people associate with Tesla, SpaceX, and eccentric tweets. But behind the headlines lies a collection of unusual and lesser-known facts about the South African–born billionaire. Here are 10 things you (probably) didn’t know about Elon Musk – ranked from quirky curiosities to his most astonishing moves.

#10: He Sold His First Video Game at Age 12

Before becoming a tech visionary, Elon was a passionate coder. At just 12 years old, he created a video game called Blastar, which he sold to a magazine for $500. The simple space-shooter is still available online and is an early glimpse of his obsession with space.

#9: He Made a Cameo on The Big Bang Theory

Musk hasn’t only stayed behind the camera. He appeared as himself in a cameo on the hit show The Big Bang Theory, volunteering at a soup kitchen. The role was short but showcased his sense of humor and ability to poke fun at himself.

#8: He Has a Child Named “X Æ A-12”

Musk and musician Grimes made headlines around the world when they named their son X Æ A-12. The name blends symbolism, tech references, and aircraft model codes, sparking a wave of memes and confusion – yet another example of Musk’s flair for the unconventional.

#7: He Was Severely Bullied as a Child

Growing up in South Africa wasn’t easy. Elon was bullied so badly during his childhood that he was once hospitalized after a brutal beating. He has cited the experience as something that made him tougher and more determined.

#6: He Taught Himself Rocket Science by Reading

When Musk founded SpaceX, he had no formal training in aerospace engineering. Instead, he devoured books and learned through conversations with experts. Multiple sources say he self-studied rocket science, making SpaceX’s achievements all the more impressive.

#5: He Owns a James Bond Submarine Car

In 2013, Musk bought the original Lotus Esprit submarine car used in the James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me. The car was a fully functional underwater vehicle in the film, and Musk has expressed interest in making it operable in real life.

#4: He Was Fired as CEO from His Own Company

Although he’s now synonymous with Tesla, Musk was once fired as CEO of his earlier company, Zip2 – an early internet business he co-founded and later sold for nearly $300 million. It’s a reminder that even his road to success had serious bumps.

#3: He Plans to Colonize Mars

Musk’s space ambitions are no joke. With SpaceX, his mission isn’t just launching rockets – he wants to make humanity a multiplanetary species, starting with Mars. He has outlined detailed plans for settlements and interplanetary travel within a few decades.

#2: He Started a Tunnel Project Beneath Los Angeles

Frustrated by traffic, Musk founded The Boring Company to create underground transportation systems. The first test tunnel was built in Los Angeles, and the idea resembles a sci-fi answer to modern commuting problems – straight from Musk’s own imagination.

#1: He’s the Richest Man in the World (Again and Again)

Musk frequently alternates between first and second place on the list of the world’s richest people – depending on the stock values of Tesla and SpaceX. His net worth has exceeded $250 billion at times, making him one of the most financially influential individuals in modern history.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.