While his last name may instantly draw a connection to Tesla and SpaceX, Kimbal Musk has carved a distinctive entrepreneurial path of his own. A restaurateur, philanthropist, and tech investor, Kimbal’s wide-ranging ventures have earned him an estimated net worth of $500 million as of 2025. At 52 years old, he continues to make an impact across industries, from sustainable agriculture to clean energy and education.
Early Life and Education: The Musk DNA of Entrepreneurship
Kimbal Musk was born on September 20, 1972, in Pretoria, South Africa, to Errol Musk, an engineer, and Maye Musk, a model and dietitian. He is the younger brother of Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and the older brother of Tosca Musk, a successful filmmaker. After completing high school, Kimbal moved to Canada to join Elon and attended Queen’s University in Ontario, where he earned a business degree in 1995. While studying, he also worked at Scotiabank, gaining early insight into the financial world.
Tech Roots: The Zip2 Launch and Early Paydays
Kimbal’s first significant foray into tech came in 1995, when he and Elon co-founded Zip2, a software platform that provided city guides for newspapers like The New York Times and Chicago Tribune. In 1999, Compaq acquired the company for $307 million. Elon walked away with $22 million from the sale, and Kimbal earned $15 million, setting the financial foundation for future ventures.
Following Zip2, Kimbal became an early investor in X.com, Elon’s financial services company, which later became PayPal. The platform was sold to eBay in 2002 for $1.5 billion, further increasing Kimbal’s tech wealth, albeit less publicly than his brother’s.
Culinary Ventures and Sustainable Food
Unlike Elon’s high-profile trajectory in tech and space, Kimbal shifted his focus toward food, community, and sustainability. After moving to New York City, he studied at the French Culinary Institute, graduating as a professional chef. In 2004, he co-founded The Kitchen, a community-focused restaurant in Boulder, Colorado, alongside his then-wife Jen Lewin and chef Hugo Matheson.
The Kitchen received critical acclaim and expanded to other cities like Chicago and Denver. In 2011, Kimbal opened Next Door American Eatery, a fast-casual spin-off that had grown to ten locations by 2019. Both restaurant chains focus on locally-sourced food, sustainability, and community engagement.
Big Green and Learning Gardens
Driven by a desire to make healthy food accessible to children, Kimbal founded Big Green, a nonprofit dedicated to building Learning Gardens in schools. Since its inception, the organization has created over 700 educational gardens across the U.S., including major installations in cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Los Angeles.
The initiative gained momentum after Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel contributed $1 million in 2012 to fund gardens across the city. Big Green aims to empower students and communities to grow their own food while learning about nutrition and environmental stewardship.
Square Roots and Urban Farming Innovation
Kimbal’s focus on food innovation didn’t stop with restaurants. In 2016, he co-founded Square Roots, an urban farming company that uses hydroponic “modular farms”—essentially, climate-controlled containers stacked vertically—to grow fresh produce in urban settings. The model offers year-round farming with minimal space and water, addressing food insecurity and sustainability.
Square Roots continues to expand, offering not only food solutions but also job training and educational programs for young farmers, solidifying Kimbal’s role as a pioneer in agri-tech.
Tesla and Tech Investments
Despite his culinary commitments, Kimbal has remained closely tied to the tech world. He has served on the Board of Directors at Tesla since 2004 and was also a board member at SpaceX. His stock holdings in Tesla have contributed enormously to his wealth.
According to SEC filings, Kimbal held 130,000 Tesla shares before the 2020 5-for-1 stock split, which turned into 572,000 shares post-split. Following Tesla’s 3-for-1 split in August 2023, his stake grew to approximately 1.7 million shares. At various peaks, including a 2021 high of $880 per share, his equity was valued at over $500 million, placing him among Tesla’s top five individual shareholders.
Although he has sold shares over time—reportedly up to $100 million worth—his Tesla investments continue to form the core of his net worth.
Personal Life and Public Attention
Kimbal married Jen Lewin in 2001, and they had three children before divorcing in 2010. In 2018, he married Christiana Wyly, an environmental activist and daughter of controversial billionaire Sam Wyly, who filed for bankruptcy in 2014 following SEC and IRS fraud charges.
Kimbal’s focus on community, health, and sustainability is also reflected in his family life. He frequently speaks about building a better food future not only for his children but for society at large.
Controversies and Criticism
In 2020, Kimbal’s restaurant group faced criticism during the COVID-19 pandemic for how it managed its employee-funded Family Fund. The fund, intended to support employees during emergencies, was reportedly inaccessible to laid-off staff due to eligibility changes. Although Musk disputed the claims and stated that $27,600 had been distributed to 69 workers, the controversy brought unwanted attention to an otherwise well-regarded restaurant brand.
Media Presence and Recognition
Kimbal Musk has made several media appearances, including on “60 Minutes,” “Chopped,” and “To Dine For with Kate Sullivan.” In 2018, he was named a “Global Social Entrepreneur of the Year” by the World Economic Forum — recognition for his efforts to merge profit with purpose.
Final Thoughts
Kimbal Musk’s $500 million fortune is built on a diverse portfolio that blends tech, sustainability, food, and community impact. While often overshadowed by his brother’s global fame, Kimbal has proven that innovation can thrive in both Silicon Valley and local school gardens. His journey from Zip2 to Big Green reflects a unique entrepreneurial spirit—one focused not only on growth but on creating a more sustainable and nutritious future for everyone.