Musk Family Secrets: Meetings with Henry Kissinger, Dungeons & Dragons & Monty Python Errol & Elon

How Errol Musk Hosted Henry Kissinger and Gave Young Elon a Glimpse of Political Power

Errol Musk, father of tech magnate Elon Musk, shared on The Andrew Eborn Show a story about an unexpected visit from former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. In the late 1970s, while living in a luxurious South African home, Musk hosted Kissinger under surprising circumstances, creating a lasting impression on his young sons, Elon and Kimbal.

During a time when South Africa faced international pressure for political reform, the American Embassy requested the service of Musk’s chef, Katherine, who ranked among the top chefs in the country. "We hosted lavish dinner parties," Musk recalled, praising Katherine’s culinary talents.

Weeks later, Kissinger himself appeared at Musk’s door to personally thank him, arriving with a motorcade and security. Elon and Kimbal, then young boys, stood by their father as Kissinger shook their hands, an experience that Musk believes made a lasting impression on the future tech titan.

Years later, the Musk family serendipitously encountered Kissinger again in New York at the Waldorf Astoria. Recognizing Musk, Kissinger reminisced and invited the family to a star-studded event, where Elon and Kimbal dined with legends like Paul Simon.

Reflecting on the encounters, Musk observed the humility of American figures like Kissinger and Reagan, noting a stark contrast with the British class structure. "In America, acting above others doesn’t get you far," Musk noted. His experiences offer a rare glimpse into the world that shaped Elon Musk, now one of the most influential tech figures, underscoring the unexpected friendships and moments that brought the world closer to his sons.

How Dungeons & Dragons, Lord of the Rings, and Monty Python Shaped the Musk Family

In a candid interview, Errol Musk shared details about the Musk family's love for fantasy and comedy that influenced Elon Musk and his siblings. Errol described how the Musk family embraced imaginative worlds like Dungeons & Dragons and The Lord of the Rings, with childhood vacations spent near Hogsback, South Africa—a place that may have inspired Tolkien’s Middle-earth. "The boys were very into these fantasy worlds," Musk remarked, vividly describing Hogsback’s foggy, towering landscapes perfect for fantasy.

The Musk family’s love of classic comedies also extended to Monty Python, which they watched secretly as it was banned in South Africa. Errol recalled iconic scenes from Life of Brian, like “He’s not the Messiah; he’s a very naughty boy,” that became family lore. Other favorite comedies, like The Three Amigos, also featured in family gatherings, cementing a deep love for laughter and satire.

Errol highlighted the family’s film enthusiasm, particularly daughter Tosca Musk’s venture into filmmaking. A graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Film Production program, Tosca initially struggled but eventually found success with Passionflix, a romance-focused streaming platform she launched with Elon’s help. With investments from her brothers, Tosca has produced over a hundred romance films and mini-series, expanding the company’s reach and influence.

Today, Passionflix continues to grow, adapting bestselling novels into romantic films. Though it’s still small compared to Hollywood giants, Errol suggests that this is only the beginning for the Musk family in the entertainment industry, hinting that the next generation may carve its own path in media.