In an unexpected revelation, relatives of Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, have spoken about their connection to the billionaire and the less-than-welcoming response they received when they reached out to their famous family member.
Marshall Robinson, 86, and his sister Shane, who live in Fleetwood, a fishing port in Lancashire, recently discovered through genealogy research that they are second cousins to Elon Musk.
Family Ties Unearthed
The connection traces back to Musk’s grandmother, Cora Amelia Robinson, born in Mossley Hill, Liverpool, in August 1923. Cora later married Walter Musk in 1944 and relocated to South Africa, where they raised a family, including Elon’s father, Errol Musk. Errol would go on to have Elon, his brother Kimbal, and sister Tosca.
Marshall shares great-grandparents with the billionaire, as his grandfather, Kenneth Robinson, was Cora’s brother.
“I’ve never met Elon, but I did meet his father in South Africa when I was in the merchant navy many years ago,” Marshall told the Daily Mail.
A Chilly Response
When one family member sent Elon Musk a message on social media to introduce themselves, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO responded tersely: “What do you want?”
Marshall expressed his surprise at the newfound connection, jokingly referencing Musk’s global influence. “I’m shocked that I’ve now got a link to the White House,” he said, adding, “I obviously knew we were related because of the name Musk, which is Scottish.”
However, his view of the tech mogul was far from flattering. “I think he’s stupid with all the things he comes out with,” Marshall remarked.
Skepticism About Family Interest
Shane, his sister, chose not to reach out to Musk, assuming he would have no interest in his “poor relations.” While she doesn’t believe Musk has deliberately shunned them, she acknowledged that he hasn’t shown any enthusiasm for connecting with his extended family.
Shane, however, recalled meeting her great-aunt Cora and Musk’s brother during a visit to the UK two decades ago, offering a small glimpse into the famous family tree.
Musk’s Reflections on Family
Elon Musk has previously spoken fondly of his grandmother Cora, but the Robinson siblings’ accounts suggest little inclination from the billionaire to deepen connections with distant relatives.
For Marshall and Shane, the revelation of their relationship to Musk has been more of a curiosity than a meaningful familial bond, with their attempt to connect proving less than fruitful.
