Elon Musk’s Mother Claims Calling Her Son “Wealthy” Is “Degrading”: Says He Should Be Referred to as “The World’s Genius”

In a recent interview that sparked waves across social media, Maye Musk, the mother of tech magnate Elon Musk, made a bold statement: referring to her son merely as “wealthy” is, in her words, “degrading and reductive.” She insists that the world should recognize him for what he truly is — “a genius who is reshaping the future.”

Maye, a renowned model, author, and dietitian, didn’t hold back when addressing the media’s constant focus on Elon’s wealth, which frequently overshadows his technological innovations and ambitions.

“People keep calling him the richest man in the world, and yes, that’s true. But I find it limiting — even degrading,” she said. “He’s not defined by money. He’s defined by his mind, by the things he’s building for humanity. He should be known as the world’s genius, not just the world’s billionaire.”

Her remarks come at a time when Elon Musk’s every move is scrutinized, from developments in SpaceX and Tesla to controversies surrounding his ownership of X (formerly Twitter). Maye emphasized that the public often overlooks her son’s relentless work ethic and his commitment to solving global challenges, such as climate change, interplanetary colonization, and artificial intelligence safety.

“Elon doesn’t take vacations. He sleeps in factories. He’s constantly working to advance humanity. How many billionaires are doing that?” she added.

Supporters of Maye’s statement applauded her for humanizing her son and emphasizing intellect over income. Critics, however, argue that wealth and genius are not mutually exclusive—and that great power comes with great responsibility, especially for someone with global influence.

Still, Maye’s perspective adds a personal, maternal lens to the conversation around Elon Musk. To her, he’s not just a mogul or an internet meme — he’s a visionary, a builder, and above all, her son.

Whether the world agrees with Maye or not, one thing is certain: Elon Musk continues to be one of the most polarizing and influential figures of our time — and perhaps, in his mother’s eyes, the most misunderstood genius on the planet.