Can Elon Musk's IQ Be Higher Than 110? Biographer Raises Doubts

Elon Musk's intelligence is under scrutiny after biographer Seth Abramson claimed his IQ is no higher than 110. Supporters argue Musk's achievements in Tesla and SpaceX prove otherwise. The debate raises questions about how intelligence is measured and whether success in innovation and leadership is the true mark of intellect.

Feb 24, 2025, 19:27 IST
Can Elon Musk's IQ Be Higher Than 110?
Can Elon Musk's IQ Be Higher Than 110?

Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX, is often regarded as one of the most intelligent individuals in the world. However, a recent assertion by his biographer, Seth Abramson, has sparked a heated debate about Musk's intellectual abilities. Abramson claims that Musk's IQ cannot be higher than 110, citing a lack of personal intellectual achievements and questioning the billionaire's ability to articulate complex ideas effectively.

The Biographer's Claims

Abramson, the author of a forthcoming Elon Musk biography, questioned Musk's intellectual acuity. There is nothing in Musk's biography, Abramson said, to indicate an IQ above 110. Abramson also took issue with Musk's business background, highlighting controversies like being sued for allegedly stealing the concept behind Zip2 and being ousted as CEO of PayPal after its acquisition by X.com.

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Abramson's remarks were responded to with indignation by supporters of Musk, who labelled him as jealous and too obsessed with Musk. However, Abramson insists that the success of Musk is more attributed to financial investments and business decisions than intellectual efforts.

The Debate Over IQ

The controversy surrounding Elon Musk's IQ brings to light the larger question of the definition of intelligence and how it should be quantified. Although IQ scores are a common measure of cognitive capacity, they fail to account for the entire range of intelligence, from practical problem-solving skills to creativity and leadership capacity.

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Musk's accomplishments in a variety of areas, such as his early computer programming abilities taught to himself and developing a computer game at 12 years of age, point to a superior cognitive capacity and resilience. Also, Musk's late 1980s SAT score of 1400 would have equated to an IQ in the range of mid-130s based on some estimates.

While Abramson's assertions regarding Elon Musk's IQ have generated controversy, they also highlight the inadequacy of IQ scores to determine intelligence. Musk's influence on technology and space exploration is not disputable, regardless of his IQ. The controversy serves as a reminder that intelligence is complex and cannot be gauged by a number. Whether or not Musk's IQ is more than 110, his innovation skills and leadership abilities have influenced numerous people all over the world.

Kirti Sharma
Kirti Sharma

Content Writer

Kirti Sharma is a content writing professional with 3 years of experience in the EdTech Industry and Digital Content. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and worked with companies like ThoughtPartners Global, Infinite Group, and MIM-Essay. She writes for the General Knowledge and Current Affairs section of JagranJosh.com.

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