Elon Musk is now the richest person in the world with a net worth of $ 187 billion and, although his mother Maye Musk realized he was a genius as a child, she admitted that she did not always know if the SpaceX CEO was destined for greatness.
The 72-year-old model was promoting the booklet launch of her book A Woman Makes a Plan on CBS This Morning on Monday, when she detailed as their sons Elon, 49, Kimbal, 48, and Tosca, 46, discovered their passions at a young age.
‘At three, I knew [Elon] he was a genius, ‘Maye told presenters Gayle King and Anthony Mason,’ but you still don’t know if he’s going to do great things because many geniuses end up in a basement being a genius, but without applying it. ‘
Scroll down to see the video
Proud mother: Maye Musk, 72, talked about her three children, Elon, 49, Kimbal, 48, and Tosca, 46, while appearing on CBS This Morning on Monday
Wow: while Elon (in the center) is the richest man in the world, with a net worth of $ 187 billion, Kimbal (far right) founded a chain of agricultural restaurants and Tosca (far left) is a filmmaker
The proud mother remembered how her eldest son made a computer game when he was 12 that impressed a group of university engineering students.
‘They said,’ Wow, he knows all the shortcuts, ” she said of showing the game.
Maye suggested that young Elon submit the game to a magazine, and he did, winning $ 500.
“I don’t think they knew he was 12,” she said. – So it was a good start.
One of Elon’s early ventures was the software company Zip2, which he co-founded with his brother, Kimbal, and Greg Kouri with funds from a group of angel investors, including his mother.
Looking back: Maye said that each of her children found their individual passions early on, while growing up in South Africa
Memories: Maye said he knew Elon was a genius when he was just three, but he wasn’t always sure he was destined for greatness
Beginner engineer: Maye remembers how Elon made a computer game when he was 12 for which he received $ 500 after sending it to a magazine
“I was really excited when he started Zip2 because it just made life easier with door-to-door instructions, and the newspapers could have a link that led to a restaurant,” recalled Maye.
‘I know this is common now, but it was highly unusual and people didn’t believe it was possible. That’s why I invested in it from the start – even though I didn’t have much money. ‘
“So he thought the banking system needed help, so he made PayPal,” continued Maye. ‘So after that, he said,’ Well, should he be doing space research or solar energy or electric cars? ‘And I said,’ Pick one ‘and, of course, he didn’t hear me. ‘
When asked if she owns a Tesla, Maye said, “Sure, [Elon] give me the best. ‘
Elon and his partner Grimes welcomed son X Æ A-Xii in May. He also shares five children with his first wife Justine, from whom he separated in 2008. They have 17 year old twin children, Griffin and Xavier, and 15 year old triplets, Kai, Saxon and Damian.
Out of solidarity: the model said she invested in Elon’s Zip2 company in 1995, remembering how she was “so excited” when he co-founded the software company with Kimbal and Greg Kouri
Children: Elon shares 17-year-old twins, Griffin and Xavier, and 15-year-old triplets, Kai, Saxon and Damian with his ex-wife Justine (photo with ex-fiancee Talulah Riley and her children in 2010)
Most recent musk: Elon’s youngest son, X Æ A-Xii (left), aged eight months – whom he shares with musical artist Grimes (right) – was born in May
Elon may be the oldest and most famous of his children, but his brothers are just as notable. Her brother, Kimbal, founded a chain of agricultural restaurants and his sister, Tosca, is a filmmaker.
Their career choices come as no surprise to their mother, who saw them pursue their interests from an early age as they grew up in Pretoria, South Africa.
Maye admitted that Kimbal started cooking because he didn’t like the food she made when they were growing up.
“I’m not a great cook, so that’s why he has restaurants,” she explained. “He also makes gardens in needy schools because he thinks that children should always eat vegetables and fruits.”
“And then, of course, Tuska was in the cinema,” continued the mother of three. ‘She just loved each film, remembered each one and she wanted to enter the world of cinema, which I was very discouraged of course.
Good example: Maye said that her mother (photographed with Maye when she was a child) never worried about aging or wrinkles and did not retire until she was 96
Rising staar: Maye is as impressive as her children, having found her greatest success as a model in her 60s and 70s
Exciting: Maye (portrayed with Gayle King in January 2020) appeared on CBS This Morning on Thursday to promote the release of her book A Woman Makes a Plan
‘Who wants to be in the world of cinema?’ she said with a laugh. – And now she has her own platform, Passionflix. Everyone is doing the job they loved doing. ‘
Maye is as impressive as her children, having found her greatest success as a model in her 60s and 70s. The nutritionist made history in 2018 when she became the face of CoverGirl at 69, and her modeling career continues to thrive.
‘My mom never had any problems with her age,’ she recalled. – No one could say she was getting old. She retired at 96, but before that, she never talked about wrinkles or aging or anything.
“She was always positive and always learning, educating herself, and I think she is a good example,” she continued. ‘When I was 60, people were talking about aging and fear of aging, and I asked,’ Why are you afraid of aging? ‘
Maye noted that when women turn 50, they are ‘afraid of losing their jobs, but men at that age’ become CEOs and presidents. ‘
– So, what is it about? she asked. ‘We need to change that. If someone is making you feel bad at your age, say goodbye.