Elon Musk’s Elderly Mother Sleeps on ‘Blankets on the Floor’ or a ‘Bed in the Garage’ When Visiting Her ‘Homeless’ Billionaire Son: ‘Still Better Than Sleeping on the Ground in the Desert’

Maye Musk, the mother of Tesla (TSLA) and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, has long been known for her resilience, adaptability, and unwavering support for her son’s ambitions. But even with her son’s status as one of the richest individuals on the planet, she doesn’t receive a luxury suite when visiting him. Instead, she sleeps on mattresses, blankets, and even in the garage.

Maye recently shared details about her unconventional sleeping arrangements on X (formerly Twitter):

“I have many memories of sleeping on mattresses or blankets on the floor, on couches, or a bed in the garage when visiting Elon. This happens to @kimbal @ToscaMusk and me. We adapt. It’s still better than sleeping on the ground in the Kalahari Desert with lions or hyenas nearby, which I did as a child” 

While some might find this surprising, Maye embraces the experience, adding that she prefers it to her childhood experiences in South Africa, where she slept on the ground in the Kalahari Desert, surrounded by lions and hyenas.

Elon Musk’s Minimalist Lifestyle: No Mansions, No Excess

Unlike other billionaires who own sprawling estates, Elon Musk has taken a minimalist approach to housing.

• He previously sold most of his physical possessions and announced in 2020 that he would “own no house.”
• His primary residence is reportedly a tiny home in Boca Chica, Texas, where he also has a 375-square-foot prefabricated home known as a Boxabl Casita. He reportedly uses the Boxabl Casita as a guest house so his friends and family will no longer have to sleep on the couch or floor. 
• He has described himself as “homeless,” often staying in guest rooms or crashing on friends’ couches.

Musk has often argued that wealth is best used for innovation and progress, not luxury. He’s focused on advancing space exploration, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainable energy rather than indulging in material excess.

Maye Musk’s Supportive Role in Elon’s Journey

Maye Musk’s humility and perseverance are traits that have undoubtedly influenced Elon’s mindset.

As a single mother of three, she worked tirelessly to provide for her children while earning two master’s degrees and building a career as a supermodel, dietitian, and nutritionist.

Her unwavering support for Elon’s early ventures was pivotal in his success:

• She helped fund Zip2, the company Elon and his brother Kimbal founded, which later became PayPal (PYPL).
• She has defended Elon against critics, standing by him as he navigates the challenges of leading Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink.
• Despite his demanding career, Elon and Maye remain close, with her frequently attending high-profile events like the Met Gala and SpaceX launches.

Tesla’s Mission: A Green Future Over Materialism

Maye’s modest visits highlight the values at the core of Elon Musk’s companies. Tesla’s mission is not about luxury — it’s about creating a sustainable future.

Tesla recently reaffirmed this in a post on X:

"We are Tesla. We’re not just creating products people love – we’re creating a movement for sustainable energy, for everyone."

This ideology is reflected in Elon’s personal life. Rather than accumulating extravagant properties, he has invested his fortune into:

• Electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce carbon emissions.
• Solar energy solutions that make clean power accessible.
• Space exploration to push the boundaries of what humanity can achieve.

His actions suggest that true wealth is not about possessions but about the impact one makes on the world.

A Family Built on Resilience

Despite their wealth, the Musk family still attempts to remain grounded. Maye’s willingness to sleep on floors, in garages, and in minimalist settings reflects a practical, no-frills mentality — one that values purpose over comfort.

For Elon Musk, building a legacy of technological progress outweighs the need for extravagant living. And for Maye Musk, supporting her son’s vision, no matter the sleeping arrangements, is a small price to pay for being part of history in the making.