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What is Elon Musk’s IQ?

What is Elon Musk's IQ?

What is Elon Musk’s IQ? 2024

Elon Musk is a prominent entrepreneur and business magnate known for his role in several high-profile technology companies. Here are some key highlights about him:

  1. Birth and Education: Born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa, Musk moved to the U.S. to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned degrees in physics and economics.
  2. Early Ventures: Musk co-founded Zip2, a software company, which was sold for nearly $300 million. He later founded X.com, which became PayPal, further solidifying his reputation in tech.
  3. SpaceX: Founded in 2002, SpaceX aims to reduce space transportation costs and enable the colonization of Mars. It has achieved significant milestones, including the first privately-funded spacecraft to reach orbit.
  4. Tesla, Inc.: Musk joined Tesla Motors (now Tesla, Inc.) in 2004 as chairman and later became CEO. Under his leadership, Tesla has become a leader in electric vehicles and sustainable energy solutions.
  5. Other Ventures: Musk is involved in several other projects, including:
    • SolarCity: A solar energy services company, which was acquired by Tesla.
    • Neuralink: Focused on developing brain-computer interface technology.
    • The Boring Company: A tunnel construction services company aimed at reducing urban traffic congestion.
  6. Vision: Musk is known for his ambitious goals, including transitioning the world to sustainable energy, making life multi-planetary, and advancing AI in a safe manner.
  7. Public Persona: Musk is often in the spotlight for his bold statements and innovative ideas, particularly on social media platforms like Twitter (now X).

His influence spans various sectors, making him one of the most recognized and controversial figures in technology and business today.

As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, Elon Musk’s IQ score is not publicly disclosed. Additionally, IQ scores are often considered an incomplete and limited measure of cognitive ability. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is known for his accomplishments in the business and technology sectors, including co-founding companies such as PayPal and contributing to advancements in electric vehicles and space exploration.

It’s worth noting that IQ scores do not capture the full range of human intelligence, creativity, or leadership abilities. Furthermore, individual IQ scores can vary based on the specific test used and other factors.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding Elon Musk’s IQ or any other details, it’s advisable to refer to reliable sources or statements from Elon Musk himself. Keep in mind that the topic of someone’s IQ is often speculative, and individuals may choose not to disclose their scores publicly.

Let’s try to understand Elon’s level of IQ now that we know the obvious answer to that question. Elon Musk has a 155 IQ, which is regarded as being quite high. Humans, as a group, are very good at guessing things they don’t know by collecting all the guesses and then taking the average. Francis Galton found that crowds came within 1% of guessing the number of beans in a jar at a fair by taking the average of the guess number.

My estimate is 215, based primarily on his earlier aptitude tests, his ability to read and apply technical information, and his ability to use numbers to make process changes unique in the history of a complicated industry.

I think I am more qualified to make this estimate than average because I studied Elon Musk specifically to guess his IQ and have successfully guessed how he would think in some areas.

On January 7, 2021, Elon Musk passed Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to become the richest person in the world. A 6% increase in Tesla’s (NASDAQ: TSLA) stock in the same week pushed up the CEO’s stock and options by $10 billion.

At the time of going to press, Musk’s total net worth was $209 billion, according to Bloomberg’s real-time billionaire tracker. Bezos, on the other hand, currently sits $ 23 billion below with a net worth of $ 186 billion.

That being said, there is no doubt that Musk’s intelligence and prowess make him a successful businessman. The CEO has several success stories linked to his name, from Zip2 to PayPal to Tesla and SpaceX. More recently, he obtained the title of “true iron man.”

In this article, I’m going to go over everything (or at least most) you need to know about Musk, from his IQ to his personality, business, lifestyle, investments, and bold innovations.

Without further ado, let’s go…

Elon Musk’s IQ The truth is that there is no official data to confirm Elon Musk’s IQ. However, it is estimated to be around 155. In some settings, most people’s IQs are between 85 and 115, with the average being 100.

Over 95% of the world’s population is below 130, while the IQ of notable brains such as Hawking and Einstein is around 160. But there is no reason to feel sad if you have taken your IQ test. and that it falls below 100.

In a real sense, an IQ test includes a series of psychological tests that assess your cognitive abilities. A high IQ is not a guarantee of success, and a low IQ is not a guarantee of failure either.

So what exactly was it for Elon Musk? Was it a high IQ or were there other factors involved?

In NLP terms, this is called modeling his strategies. It’s something like that, honed by guessing IQs of people who had documentation, then seeing the actual numbers. I’ve gotten reasonably good at these guesses and I am typically within 2-5%, for what it’s worth.

My estimate of his IQ would be higher, but I spoke to Elon face to face about some things that were very crucial to the achievement of his larger goals and was stunned to see he had not considered the implications.

Some of these were bullets dodged, things that authentic journalists should have asked and, if Musk’s answers had been printed, would have led to scientific criticism.

155 is still high, and I imagine it’s far higher than the IQ of most billionaires. I know 18 billionaires, and Musk gets a higher estimated IQ than any of them.

Edit: After over 32,000 views, I have not had a single person give me a different number. (That will likely change now that I posted that sentence, of course.)

If I were a data scientist (yes, they exist, and they’re in high demand), I’d consider that 32,000 without a different number a pretty interesting result, and just as relevant as someone’s claim about their IQ presented without evidence.

What is Elon Musk’s IQ?

Seriously – have you ever in your life seen someone claim an IQ, then offer to take a test and prove it?

I didn’t think so. Even if someone claiming to be Elon Musk came onto Quora and posted, “My IQ is 200”, who would argue that that would settle the issue any more than my answer?

When you are skeptical, you can always argue, or ask one more question. And what would be the payoff for Elon to say this?

What is Elon Musk’s IQ

Whatever his IQ is, if it’s 160 and above – genius level, according to popular acclaim that has no scientific basic – there would be a backlash against saying this, and thus no incentive to go to this point. If it’s lower, why not just let my number stand?

I mention this because several times a week, someone freaks out about this answer. It’s fascinating how many people get upset by either this question, or my answer, or both. I have something like 300 questions and answers on Quora, but this one tweaks people like no other.

People like to post on Quora’s words to the effect that IQ is irrelevant. What the experience of this Elon Musk IQ question has taught me is that some people get emotional about discussions of someone’s IQ, and anything that gets people emotional is the opposite of irrelevant.

To put it another way, what you think of people who guess IQs says more about you than the person guessing. If a person offering an opinion upsets you, perhaps you should bring that up in your next therapy session. Above average, perhaps even genius, but nowhere near as high as people think—he is no Nikola Tesla or Isaac Newton.

What is this based on?

Remember, Elon is working on rockets, trains, solar, and electric cars, all ideas that are over a hundred years old. Basically, nothing Elon is creating is new (he does things cheaper).

Much of the technology is resting on decades-old tech (like lithium batteries in electric cars and crystalline silicon in solar panels). As an example of age-old ideas, Edison had an electric car in 1910 that participated in a 1000 mile endurance run.

Elon’s high school and college grades weren’t all A’s, not that this always matters. But, graduating summa cum laude can prove mastery in the academic world.

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His “mad” skills are often solely based on the work of other engineers—engineers that have said Elon’s math, science, and programming skills are far below their own (that would be the case unless you’re exercising those skills regularly).

Time and time again, Elon has taken credit, as most visionaries do, for the work of his employees. Hey, nothing wrong with that…just realize he isn’t doing all these things himself. He’s the idea guy, driving innovation—not the engineer.

People claim Elon has a photographic memory; he does not. Hundreds of people are supporting Elon throughout his journey in this life. He is heavily dependent on people remembering things for him. His long-serving secretary of 12 years, who he eventually fired, said she managed most of Elon’s life.

For as many accomplishments Elon has managed to glean, he has failed equally as much. Hey, nothing wrong with this either. It just shows he is human. Elon has inspired hope in fields that we’re dying, or almost dead. That doesn’t require a high IQ, nor should it.

Elon has never taken an official IQ test—I doubt he ever will—but if I had to guess, I’d say his IQ is in the range of 145–155, not 200–250, as some claim. Possibly the number one attribute driving down Elon’s [publicly perceived] IQ score…is money.

Lavish lifestyles have never cultivated extreme genius (only full immersion in the subject matter can do that). The more wealth Elon accumulates, the further he will drift from the genius of the likes of Edward Witten, Hawking, Einstein, Tesla, Faraday, Leonardo da Vinci, etc., etc., etc.

There is something special that transpires when genius is forged in the fires of academic or professional adversity.

A larger concern of mine…is how Elon treats employees, which is abysmal. He has a South African temperament, meaning explosive. The reputation he is gaining in the engineering community is dreadful, bordering on psychotic.

Read the book on Elon, by Ashlee Vance. You’ll witness Elon’s genius, as well as his handicaps. Online reviews are further examples of where Elon needs improvement. In the end, I think it will be Elon’s emotional IQ that matters most—which is something he needs to work on.

What makes Elon Musk different?

I bet you’ve learned a thing or two about Musk. In closing, I would like to answer the question of what makes Elon different. Is that his high IQ or does everything he touches turn to gold?

As I said earlier, a high IQ is no guarantee of success. In fact, there are a lot of “fail” people with high IQs. Being smart doesn’t mean things will be handed to you on a golden platter.

Musk has a unique ability to see things that others don’t. Funny enough, Musk doesn’t also describe himself as an entrepreneur or a businessman. He calls himself a technologist, inventor and engineer. His brother, Kimbal, put it perfectly when he said:

[Musk is] able to see things more clearly in a way that no one else I know can understand. There is one thing in chess where you can see 12 moves forward if you are a grandmaster. And in any particular situation, Elon can see things move forward.

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Editorial Reviews

“Along with views of youth and early geekdom…[Vance] relates suspenseful accounts of technical and financial crises, conducts tours of Musk’s factories…and brings his story up to early 2016.

Overall, the author offers a picture of a brilliant, driven man…A modern American success story, neither overly earnest nor unreservedly adulatory.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“An informative and easy-to-follow biography of one of today’s top innovators for young readers.” (Booklist)

“Vance maintains a lively pace and explains the groundbreaking technology in a way that is accessible and exciting…Highly recommended for high school and ambitious middle school readers for its insights into Musk, technology, and venture capitalism.” (School Library Journal)

“Musk may not be as instantly recognizable to teens as Zuckerberg or Jobs, but given his work with PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX, he should be. Vance delves into all of his work with detailed passion. (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)

“A valuable addition to STEM-themed collections.” (Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA))

About the Author

He said this could happen if the cars could drive over long distances autonomously or work in shifts, leaving drivers to relax while others drive, and only use battery power while they are out. “Even if we build a bunch of battery power we can get thousands of miles out of a single charge,”

Elon Musk said. “If we had a lot of battery power that could solve the problem by allowing you to drive almost anywhere if you have the power to charge the battery.”

Elon Musk had a big idea about using super-efficient airplanes for space travel, building spaceships and flying them to the orbit of Mars, and then land them, drawing on his expertise in rocket propulsion engineering. “I think the risk of flying a car is not any greater than flying a plane today,” he said. “I think it’s not 10 times more dangerous.

It’s maybe 100 times less dangerous than flying a plane. So I think it’s quite easy to do that with a rocket, especially if we do a one-way trip.” But Musk revealed that he was far from sure that the price of the first vehicles would be quite high, saying he did not think they would come close to the $100 million costs of the SpaceX rocket, which rockets into space but lands like a jet.

How is Elon Musk famous for?

Elon Musk cofounded the electronic payment firm PayPal, and in 2002 he founded SpaceX, a company that makes rockets and spacecraft. He was a major early funder of Tesla, which makes electric cars and batteries, and became its chief executive officer in 2008. He cofounded Neuralink, a neurotechnology company, in 2016.

Elon Musk is famous for several key achievements and ventures that have significantly impacted various industries:

  1. SpaceX: As the founder and CEO, Musk is known for revolutionizing space travel. SpaceX developed the Falcon rockets and the Dragon spacecraft, and it was the first private company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station.
  2. Tesla, Inc.: Musk’s role as CEO has positioned Tesla as a leader in electric vehicles (EVs) and sustainable energy solutions. Under his leadership, the company has popularized EVs and advanced battery technology.
  3. PayPal: Musk co-founded X.com, which later became PayPal, one of the first widely-used online payment systems. PayPal’s success established him in the tech world.
  4. Innovative Projects: Musk has initiated various ambitious projects, including:
  • Neuralink: Aiming to develop brain-computer interfaces.
  • The Boring Company: Focused on tunnel construction to alleviate urban traffic.
  1. Public Persona: His outspoken nature on social media, particularly Twitter (now X), has garnered attention and sparked both admiration and controversy. He shares updates on his ventures, personal thoughts, and interacts directly with the public.
  2. Vision for the Future: Musk’s vision includes colonizing Mars, advancing sustainable energy, and ensuring the safe development of artificial intelligence, which resonates with many followers and contributes to his fame.

These achievements and his unique personality have made him one of the most recognized figures in technology and business today.

Who are the 11 children of Elon Musk?

Elon Musk has 11 children with different partners. Here’s a summary of his children:

  1. Nevada Alexander Musk: Born in 2002, he tragically passed away as an infant from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
  2. Griffin Musk: Born in 2004, he is one of Elon’s twins with Justine Musk.
  3. Kai Musk: Also born in 2004, he is Griffin’s twin brother.
  4. Saxon Musk: Born in 2006, he is one of the triplets with Justine Musk.
  5. Damian Musk: Also born in 2006, he is the second triplet.
  6. X Æ A-Xii Musk: Born in 2020 with musician Claire Boucher (Grimes), he is often referred to as “X.”
  7. Exa Dark Sideræl Musk: Born in December 2021 via surrogate with Grimes, she is nicknamed “Y.”
  8. Caius Musk: Born in 2021, he is one of the twins Musk had with Shivon Zilis, a Neuralink executive.
  9. Strider Musk: Also born in 2021, he is Caius’s twin brother.
  10. Twin Boys: Musk and Shivon Zilis welcomed twins in 2021, but their names have not been publicly disclosed.

Musk has been open about his family life, and his children often attract media attention.

How did Elon Musk start?

In 1995, using $28,000 borrowed from his father, Musk and his brother created their first company, Zip2, an online city guide licensed to newspapers. When the company was sold to Compaq for $341 million in cash and stock in 1999, Musk’s share was approximately $22 million.

Elon Musk’s journey began with a combination of entrepreneurship, innovation, and a drive to tackle big challenges. Here’s a brief overview of how he started:

  1. Early Interests: Musk developed an early interest in computers and technology. At age 12, he created and sold a video game called “Blastar,” showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit.
  2. Education: He moved to Canada to attend Queen’s University and later transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned degrees in physics and economics.
  3. Zip2: In 1996, Musk co-founded Zip2, a software company that provided business directories and maps for newspapers. The company was sold in 1999 for nearly $300 million, giving Musk his first significant financial success.
  4. X.com and PayPal: Musk then founded X.com, an online payment company. In 2000, X.com merged with Confinity, which had developed PayPal. The combined company focused on online payments and was sold to eBay in 2002 for $1.5 billion in stock.
  5. SpaceX: In 2002, Musk founded SpaceX with the vision of reducing space travel costs and making Mars colonization possible. The company achieved significant milestones, including the first privately-funded spacecraft to reach orbit.
  6. Tesla, Inc.: In 2004, Musk joined Tesla Motors as chairman and later became CEO. He played a crucial role in positioning Tesla as a leader in electric vehicles and sustainable energy.
  7. Other Ventures: Musk’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to pursue various other projects, including SolarCity, Neuralink, and The Boring Company, each aimed at addressing major global challenges.

Musk’s combination of vision, technical expertise, and willingness to take risks has shaped his successful career and positioned him as a key figure in multiple industries.

Why is Elon Musk so successful?

Musk’s success in entrepreneurship is attributed to his risk-taking, innovation, long-term vision, and ability to adapt and learn from failure. What are some of Musk’s notable philanthropic efforts?

Elon Musk’s success can be attributed to several key factors:

  1. Visionary Thinking: Musk has a clear and ambitious vision for the future, focusing on sustainable energy, space exploration, and advanced technologies. His goals inspire both his teams and the public.
  2. Risk-Taking: He is known for taking significant risks, often investing his own money into ventures when others were skeptical. This willingness to gamble on his ideas has led to groundbreaking innovations.
  3. Innovative Approach: Musk consistently seeks to challenge the status quo. His companies, like Tesla and SpaceX, push the boundaries of technology, often developing solutions that are both creative and practical.
  4. Technical Expertise: With a strong background in physics and engineering, Musk is deeply involved in the technical aspects of his projects, allowing him to make informed decisions and lead effectively.
  5. Work Ethic: Musk is known for his intense work ethic, often working long hours and immersing himself in his projects. This dedication sets a high standard for his teams.
  6. Resilience: He has faced numerous setbacks and challenges but has consistently demonstrated resilience. His ability to learn from failures and adapt has been crucial to his success.
  7. Strong Leadership: Musk is a charismatic leader who can motivate and rally his teams around a common goal. His hands-on management style encourages innovation and accountability.
  8. Market Timing: Musk has entered industries at opportune moments. For example, the growing interest in electric vehicles and renewable energy aligned well with Tesla’s mission.
  9. Effective Branding and Marketing: Musk has a knack for generating buzz and excitement around his projects. His use of social media, particularly Twitter, has helped him connect directly with the public and build a strong brand presence.

These factors, combined with a unique combination of entrepreneurial spirit and technological vision, have contributed to Musk’s remarkable success across various industries.

Product details

Age Range: 8 and up
Grade Level: 3 – 6
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; Young Readers’ ed. edition (January 24, 2017)
Language: English
Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.6 x 7.6 inches

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