Elon Musk’s relentless drive and work ethic are legendary. But according to his mother, Maye Musk, his single-minded focus on work once bordered on the extreme—to the point that she had to step in to make sure her son took care of basic needs, like eating meals and changing his socks. It’s a revealing glimpse into the life of one of the world’s most polarizing figures.
A Mother’s Care During University Days
Maye Musk has shared anecdotes about Elon’s habits during his university years, a period when his dedication to work and studies overshadowed almost everything else. According to an interview published years ago, Maye would regularly check on Elon to ensure he wasn’t neglecting himself. “I had to make sure he at least ate something,” she once remarked, “and that he remembered to change his socks every day.”
This quirky habit of hyper-focus would later define Musk’s career as he pursued projects that reshaped industries, from electric vehicles to space exploration. But back then, it simply highlighted his singular way of concentrating on tasks, often to the detriment of daily routines.
A Spartan Home Reflecting a Pragmatic Mindset
During a 2012 profile, a journalist visiting Elon’s home described it as surprisingly impersonal, more like a functional “base of operations” than a luxury residence. His Bel Air mansion featured rented furniture and bare bookshelves, underscoring Musk’s tendency to prioritize work over personal comforts. “This isn’t my home,” Musk explained, “it’s more like a stopover between work sessions.”
This mindset sheds light on Musk’s now-infamous commitment to his businesses, which has included famously grueling workweeks and sleeping on factory floors to oversee production. For him, efficiency and focus reign supreme.
Brutally Honest but Well-Intentioned
Family members have also spoken about Musk’s personality, particularly his penchant for blunt honesty. His sister, Tosca Musk, once described him as “brutally honest,” though she emphasized that it was never meant to be hurtful. “He believed he was doing people a favor by being truthful,” she said, highlighting how this trait aligns with his results-driven approach to work and life.
The Price of Greatness
Musk’s intense work ethic has contributed to his reputation as a controversial figure. Critics point to his outspoken political views, polarizing business decisions, and combative public persona. Yet, it’s impossible to deny his impact: from revolutionizing the electric vehicle industry with Tesla to accelerating the space race with SpaceX and enabling global connectivity through Starlink.
Despite his flaws, Musk’s work ethic continues to be a driving force behind some of the most ambitious innovations of our time. Love him or hate him, the billionaire embodies the ethos of relentless pursuit—even if it takes a mother’s nudge to keep him grounded in the basics of self-care.
