Kaylah Walton
Elon Musk, known as the richest individual in the world, has captivated the public for a long time; however, insights into his heritage have recently surfaced, tracing back to a British family tree.
Musk’s ancestry reaches Liverpool, linking him to a working-class background marked by significant trials that have profoundly influenced his life journey.
From Liverpool to Global Recognition
Musk‘s paternal grandmother, Cora Amelia Robinson, was born on August 16, 1923, in Mossley Hill, Liverpool. Living through the Great Depression, Cora encountered significant challenges including poverty and the impact of World War II bombings.
These adversities cultivated a strong sense of resilience within her, which greatly shaped the family’s identity.
Cora’s father, John Robinson, a stonemason from Liverpool, worked in South Africa where he married Breghie Elizabeth Theron. Together they welcomed five children, with Cora being the youngest.
The family returned to Liverpool prior to World War I, but their home in Mossley Hill was lost to German bombings, a likely reason they partially returned to South Africa afterward.
In 1944, Cora wed Walter Musk, a South African soldier involved in British intelligence, and they had two sons, one named Errol Musk, the father of Elon Musk.
While Elon was raised in South Africa, the influence of his grandmother’s British background has fundamentally molded his principles and outlook on life.
A Family Split by Heritage and Wealth
Elon Musk’s British relatives express a blend of intrigue and exasperation regarding their relationship with the billionaire. Cora‘s siblings remained in Britain, with her brother Kenneth settling in Lancashire. His son, Marshall Robinson, currently resides in Fleetwood and has shared his insights on Musk‘s significance.
Marshall recounted, “A family member reached out to Elon on social media, and his reply was simply, ‘What do you want?’ That was it.”
Errol Musk, Elon’s father, acknowledges their family’s roots in Liverpool and mentions links to The Beatles, whose upbringing coincided with some of his relatives. Despite this background, Musk’s connection with his British ancestry has been sparse until now, which is peculiar.
Musk Considers His Grandmother’s Legacy
Elon Musk attributes much of his success to his grandmother’s determination and work ethic. Recently, he remarked on social media, “My British grandmother, Cora Amelia Robinson, played a crucial role in my childhood. She was very strict yet kind, always dependable. She experienced extreme poverty in England during the Great Depression and suffered the bombings of World War II.”
As Musk continues to make a global impact, his reflections on his family’s journey from Liverpool to worldwide acclaim reveal a more intimate aspect of the tech entrepreneur.
His British ancestry serves as a testament to the challenges and resilience that have shaped the foundation for his success.
