Maye Musk on Struggles: Elon Musk's Hilarious Humble Beginnings Reveal in Throwback Photo

Maye Musk, the mother of tech mogul Elon Musk, recently shared a nostalgic throwback photo from 1990 that gives insight into the humble beginnings of her family. The picture shows a young Elon dressed in his only professional attire—a $99 suit, which was all he could afford for his bank job at the time. This is a picture of their simple life, from the rent-controlled apartment they lived in to the personal touch of her mother's painting on the wall.
In her memoir, A Woman Makes a Plan: Advice for a Lifetime of Adventure, Beauty, and Success, Maye recalls the financial challenges she faced while raising her children in Toronto. She shares her experiences, saying that she and her family used to share peanut butter sandwiches and second-hand clothes because she wanted to stretch their minimal budget. As if in her own assessment, though she was extremely poor with them, she made her children feel fulfilled and deprived of nothing during their very challenging times, remembering their mattresses, sofas, and even floors as her children got along with circumstances.
This photo was taken in our rent-controlled apartment in Toronto, with my mom‘s painting on the wall. The suit cost $99 which included a free shirt, tie and socks. A great bargain! He wore this suit every day to his bank job in Toronto. I couldn’t afford a second suit. We were… https://t.co/jh2SHOXwpe
— Maye Musk (@mayemusk) December 12, 2024
Elon Musk's rise to fame is well-documented; however, his frugal behavior has remained a constant attribute of his personality. In 2020, news hit the headlines when Elon went public about selling nearly everything he owned, including his home, saying, "I am selling almost all physical possessions. Will own no house." This is the mindset which his mother had instilled during their difficult early years.
In fact, her pride in Elon's intellectual success is reflected in the comments of Maye. She never emphasizes the term "rich" or "billionaire" in talking about her son, preferring instead to focus on his genius. "I think he's the genius of the world," she said in an interview before, pointing out how proud she is of her son.
Maye Musk's story is a testament to the ways in which resilience, resourcefulness, and a positive attitude can overcome financial struggles. She raised children who appreciate the little things in life as well as values that paved the way for Elon Musk's success today.