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 when he was little, he has admitted that he didn’t always know if the SpaceX CEO was destined for greatness.
It promoted the 72-year-old model the pocket release of her book A Woman Makes a Plan on CBS This Morning on Monday, when she detailed as his sons Elon, 49, Kimbal, 48, and Tosca, 46, discovered his passions at an early age.
“At three o’clock, I knew.” [Elon] he was a genius, “Maye told hosts Gayle King and Anthony Mason,” but you still don’t know if he’s going to do great things because a lot of geniuses end up in a basement being a genius but not applying it. ”
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Proud Mother: Maye Musk, 72, spoke about her three children, Elon, 49, Kimbal, 48, and Tosca, 46, while appearing on CBS on Monday
Wow: While Elon (center) is the richest man in the world with a net worth of $ 187 billion, Kimbal (far right) founded a farm restaurant chain at the table and Tosca (left ) is a filmmaker
The proud mother recalled how her eldest son made a computer program game when he was 12 years old that impressed a group of college engineering students.
“They said,‘ Wow, he knows all the shortcuts, ’” he said of showing them the game.
Maye suggested that young Elon present the game to a magazine, and he did, earning $ 500.
“I don’t think they knew he was 12,” he said. “So it was a good start.”
One of Elon’s first businesses is 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 each of her children found their individual passions at an early age while growing up in South Africa
Memories: Maye said she knew Elon was a genius when she was just three years old, but she wasn’t always sure she was destined for greatness.
Emerging Engineer: Maye recalled how Elon made a computer program game when he was 12, receiving $ 500 after sending it to a magazine
“I was very excited when Zip2 started because it just made life easier with door-to-door directions, and then the newspapers could have a link that would take you to a restaurant,” Maye recalled.
“I know it’s common now, but it was very unusual and people didn’t think it was possible. That’s why I invested in it at first, even though I didn’t have a lot of money.
“Then he thought the banking system needed help, so he made PayPal,” Maye continued. “Then he said,‘ Well, should I do space research, solar power, or electric cars? And I said, “Just pick one” and of course he didn’t listen to me.
When asked if she owned a Tesla, Maye said, “Of course, [Elon] it does me the best. ”
Elon and his partner Grimes welcomed their 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.
Support: The model said she invested in Elon Zip2’s company in 1995, recalling how “excited” she was when she 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 (pictured with ex-fiancée Talulah Riley and their children in 2010)
Newest Musk: Elon’s youngest child, eight-month-old X Æ A-Xii (left) – who shares with music artist Grimes (right) – was born in May
Elon may be the eldest and most famous of his children, but his siblings are equally remarkable. His brother, Kimbal, founded a farm-to-table restaurant chain and his sister, Tosca, is a filmmaker.
Their career choices are no surprise to their mother, who saw them pursue their interests from a very young age while growing up in Pretoria, South Africa.
Maye admitted that Kimbal started cooking because she didn’t like the food she made when they were older.
“I’m not a great cook, that’s why she has restaurants,” she explained. “He also makes orchards in underserved schools because he believes children should always have vegetables and fruits.”
“And then, of course, Tuska was in the movies,” the mother of three continued. “He just loved all the movies, he remembered them all and he wanted to get into the film business, which I was very discouraged of, of course.
Good example: Maye said her mother (pictured in Maye as a child) never cared 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 the 60s and 70s
Exciting: Maye (pictured as Gayle King in January 2020) appeared on CBS Thursday morning to promote the pocket release of her book A Woman Makes a Plan
“Who wants to be in the movies?” she said with a laugh. And now it has its own platform, Passionflix. Everyone is doing the job they loved to do. ”
Maye is as impressive as her children as she found her greatest success as a model in the 60s and 70s. The dietitian made history in 2018 when she became the face of CoverGirl at 69 and her career model continues to thrive.
“My mom never had any problems with age,” he recalled. No one could tell him he was getting old. He retired at age 96, but before that he never talked about wrinkles or aging or anything.
“She was always positive and always learned, educated, and I guess she’s a good example,” he continued. “When I got into my 60s, people would talk about aging and the fear of aging and say to me,‘ 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’s with that?” she asked. ‘We need to change that around. If someone makes you feel bad for your age, just say goodbye.