Maye Musk, an international model and best-selling author, has captivated public interest not only for her accomplishments but also for her down-to-earth lifestyle—most notably, her willingness to sleep in her son Elon Musk’s garage when visiting. Despite Elon being one of the richest individuals in the world, Maye revealed that staying in the garage near his SpaceX facility in Boca Chica, Texas, is a practical choice, reflecting her son’s minimalist philosophy. “You can’t have a fancy house near a rocket site,” she explained, underscoring Elon’s focus on innovation over material wealth and her own adaptability.

Elon Musk, the CEO and driving force behind Tesla, SpaceX, xAI, and X (formerly Twitter), has long championed a minimalist lifestyle. In 2020, he publicly vowed to sell nearly all of his possessions, including multiple homes, to concentrate on his mission-driven work. His main residence—a compact, $45,000 house near SpaceX—is emblematic of this commitment. Though he controls billions in assets, including a 42% stake in SpaceX valued at $350 billion in 2024, Elon has made it clear that his personal life is guided by purpose, not luxury—an ethos that extends to his family.

Maye’s own life journey has been marked by resilience and independence. Born in Canada and raised in South Africa, she grew up exploring remote areas with her pilot father, often sleeping in the wild and internalizing his motto: “Live dangerously, carefully.” These experiences instilled a deep sense of self-reliance that carried her through later hardships, including an abusive marriage and the challenge of raising three children—Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca—as a single mother. Through periods of financial uncertainty and constant relocation, Maye emphasized independence and passion, values that have shaped her children’s remarkable paths.

While supporting Elon’s unconventional ambitions, Maye also charted her own course. She watched her son develop coding skills at the age of 12 and consistently supported his vision, even when it involved launching rockets or building electric cars. Meanwhile, Maye redefined her own career, achieving global modeling success in her fifties after embracing her natural gray hair. She became a spokesperson for Dior Beauty, appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in her seventies, and authored the internationally successful memoir A Woman Makes a Plan, now translated into 30 languages.

Now living in a modest apartment in New York City, Maye Musk continues to embody a philosophy of practicality, purpose, and grounded success. She maintains close relationships with her children and remains a public figure, appearing with Elon on “Saturday Night Live” and at major events. Her story, rooted in perseverance and self-belief, serves as an inspiring reminder that even those surrounded by vast wealth can choose a life of substance over extravagance—and thrive by staying true to their values.