Maye Musk, a model, dietitian, and the mother of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has lived a life filled with fascinating stories. At 74 years old, she remains an icon of grace, intelligence, and resilience.
But one story from over 35 years ago sheds light on the bond between Maye and her son Elon—a story that reveals his sharp mind for investments and her unwavering trust in his instincts, even when the odds seemed stacked against them.
In the mid-1980s, Elon Musk was just a teenager, a 14-year-old with an insatiable curiosity for technology and the future. While most teenagers were consumed with high school drama and hobbies, Elon was diving into books, programming, and economics.
It was during this formative period that he made an observation that would significantly impact his mother’s finances for decades to come.
Maye Musk recalls that one day, Elon approached her with a suggestion that seemed unusual for someone his age. He told her, “Mom, you should invest $1,000 in shares. Not just any shares, but shares of a company I actually believe in.”
At the time, Maye, a single mother of three, wasn’t financially wealthy, even though she worked tirelessly to provide for her children. A $1,000 investment wasn’t a small decision for her, but Elon’s confidence and reasoning made her consider the idea.
Despite her initial hesitation, Maye sought advice from a broker to evaluate Elon’s suggestion. The broker, however, dismissed the idea outright.
“It’s a bad investment,” the broker said, shaking his head at the proposal. The company Elon recommended didn’t seem like a winner in the broker’s eyes. It was risky, unproven, and didn’t align with conventional wisdom at the time.
But Maye Musk wasn’t just a model or a dietitian—she was a mother who trusted her son’s instincts. If Elon believed in this company, she thought, maybe there was something more to it than the broker realized.
Against professional advice, Maye went ahead and put her hard-earned $1,000 into the shares Elon had recommended.
The investment didn’t make headlines at the time. It wasn’t a story anyone paid attention to, except perhaps within the Musk household. But over the years, something remarkable happened.
The company Elon had vouched for grew beyond anyone’s expectations. The shares multiplied in value, turning what once seemed like a risky gamble into a financial success story.
Though the specific company Maye invested in hasn’t been publicly disclosed, her story is a testament to the visionary mindset Elon displayed even as a teenager.
It also underscores the importance of trusting your instincts and the advice of those who think differently, even if the world doesn’t immediately see the value.
Maye Musk’s life, as inspiring as it is, was never without challenges. Born in Canada and raised in South Africa, she navigated divorce, single motherhood, and the ups and downs of building a career in modeling and nutrition.
But what makes her story exceptional is her resilience and willingness to take risks—not just in her career but in her financial decisions, too. The $1,000 investment, spurred by her son’s advice, became a part of the legacy she built for her family.
Today, Elon Musk is one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, known for companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink. His vision has reshaped industries and inspired millions, but the seeds of his entrepreneurial spirit were planted long before his ventures took off.
Stories like the one Maye shared highlight the early signs of Elon’s genius and the role his mother played in nurturing that brilliance.
Maye Musk, who has graced the covers of magazines and written a bestselling book, continues to inspire people worldwide. Her life proves that age is no barrier to success, and her story of the $1,000 investment is a powerful reminder of the value of intuition, trust, and boldness.
Looking back, Maye doesn’t dwell on the broker’s skepticism or the initial risk. Instead, she celebrates the moment she listened to her son and took a chance. “It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she shared in an interview.
This untold story serves as an inspiration for families, entrepreneurs, and dreamers everywhere. It’s a reminder that opportunities often come from unexpected places, and sometimes, the boldest choices yield the greatest rewards.
Maye Musk’s faith in her teenage son’s advice didn’t just change her financial future—it reinforced the power of believing in the visionaries among us, even when they’re just starting out.
