Elon Musk’s Mom Says She Knew Her Son Was A Genius Before Preschool —Happy He Didn’t End Up In ‘A Basement Somewhere’ Like Other Geniuses

Maye Musk, mother of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, has long recognized her eldest son’s extraordinary intellect, even before he began formal education. In an interview on CBS This Morning, the supermodel and registered dietitian-nutritionist revealed that she identified Elon’s genius when he was just three years old. “At 3, I knew he was a genius,” Maye recalled, sharing her amazement at his ability to absorb and process information at such a young age. Her attempts to enroll him early in nursery school were met with skepticism as staff reportedly “rolled their eyes.”

Despite the early recognition of his talent, Maye Musk acknowledged the challenges many geniuses face in translating their potential into meaningful achievements. “Many geniuses don’t apply their talents. They end up in a basement somewhere,” she said. For her, Elon’s early entrepreneurial success with Zip2—a company that provided groundbreaking door-to-door directions and restaurant recommendations—was a pivotal moment. “It was groundbreaking then, and that’s why I invested in it,” she explained.

Maye affectionately referred to Elon as “Genius Boy” in a profile for The Times UK, noting his incredible memory and capacity for retaining information. She also revealed that her advice to Elon to focus on just one venture went unheeded as he pursued groundbreaking work in multiple industries, including PayPal, electric vehicles, space exploration, and renewable energy.

In a BBC documentary, Maye described Elon as a “genius” and shared insights into the challenges of being in the public eye. She remarked that her son’s massive success has also made him a target of criticism. “He gets a lot of hate,” Maye said. In 2022, she defended him on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that much of the negativity aimed at him was generated by bots and fake accounts. This came after Elon publicly announced his shift in political alignment from supporting Democrats to backing the Republican party, a decision that sparked controversy online.

Maye’s background as a science enthusiast also influenced her understanding and appreciation of Elon’s abilities. In high school, she was deeply passionate about math and science, but her insistence on finding a partner with similar interests left her with limited dating options. Reflecting on her own experiences, she noted that her ex-husband was the only one who matched her proficiency in these subjects.

From recognizing her son’s genius as a toddler to witnessing his evolution into one of the most influential figures in the world, Maye Musk’s journey as a mother to Elon highlights her unwavering belief in his potential. Despite the challenges and controversies, she remains his staunch supporter, celebrating his achievements and defending his character against criticism.