When you think of the world’s richest man, what comes to mind? Expensive suits, a massive entourage, private jets, and a life of luxury. That’s pretty much the picture for most billionaires, and it’s almost true for Elon Musk, too. The only man who can claim to have once been worth a massive $400 billion (his net worth now sits at $330 billion, still richer than amazon founder Jeff Bezos by a literal Mukesh Ambani), Musk is known for living the high life. But there’s a part of the Tesla boss that stands out. Even with a fortune of $330 billion, Musk still haggled over $5,000—less than 0.000002% of his wealth.
This happened during a 2022 showdown with 19-year-old Jack Sweeney, who created a Twitter bot that tracked Musk’s private jet flights. The college freshman’s bot, @ElonJet, tracked the billionaire’s movements, causing concerns about privacy and security.
To get the teen to shut it down, Musk offered him a paltry $5,000, which Sweeney rejected and countered with a request for $50,000. For a billionaire of Musk’s stature, that’s a small price to pay for security, but it’s human nature to expect more.
However, Musk isn’t your average centibillionaire. Raised in South Africa, Musk taught himself how to code and sold his first game, Blastar, for around $500, and wore a $99 suit that came with a free tie, and socks repeatedly. There’s no negotiating with him, he understands money, and this rule even applies to family. When it comes to money, even his closest loved ones don’t get special treatment.
No Discounts for Anyone at Tesla, Including His Mom-
Elon Musk sticks to a strict no-discount policy at Tesla, even for family. This includes his mother, Maye Musk, and close friends. Musk’s cousin confirmed receiving no special treatment, highlighting the CEO’s commitment to fairness and equal pricing for all customers.
If he can say no to his mother, there’s little chance anyone else will get a break. This stance was humorously reinforced when Musk declined Snoop Dogg’s request for a free Tesla. While Maye Musk may not get a discount, her support for her son is unwavering. Despite being the matriarch of one of the most influential tech dynasties, speaking to the New York Times she confirmed that her billionaire son doesn’t hand out Tesla discounts.
He May Not Give Maye a Discount, But He’s a True Mama’s Boy
Despite his no-nonsense business approach, Musk is unapologetically a mama’s boy. He may not express love for many people, but his affection for his mother is clear. On International Women’s Day, he enthusiastically shared the sentiment, “Being a Mom is a real job that deserves major respect,” demonstrating his deep love and respect for Maye, who raised him and his siblings as a single mother.
On Mother’s Day 2024, Musk made sure to honor her from miles away in Shanghai. He sent an extravagant bouquet of flowers along with a handwritten card. Maye Musk shared a series of photos featuring her children and grandchildren, writing, “Happy Mother’s Day. I am the luckiest mom in the world. Also, the luckiest grandmom.” Musk has often referred to his mother as his biggest supporter, saying, “She’s been my biggest supporter from day one, no matter how crazy my ideas sounded.”
