Elon Musk, recognized as the richest person globally with a reported net worth of approximately $726 billion at the close of 2025, lives a lifestyle that sharply contrasts with his immense fortune. His modest habitations and approach to material possessions are mirrored in the experiences of his mother, Maye Musk, during her visits to his residence in Texas.
Maye Musk, aged 77, known for her steadfast support and unabashed admiration for her son throughout his career—ranging from early ventures like Zip2 to ambitious projects involving space exploration—opts for a notably humble lodging arrangement when visiting Musk's primary home near the SpaceX Starbase in Boca Chica.
Rather than occupying a guest house or a designated luxury suite, Maye frequently sleeps on mattresses or blankets placed on the floor, on couches, or occasionally in a bed set up within the garage of the property. In a candid social media post from 2023 on X, she recounted numerous memories underscoring this simplicity. Her remarks centered on the reality of foregoing conventional comfort for practicality, emphasizing adaptability. She further contextualized her endurance by comparing these conditions favorably to childhood nights spent sleeping on the ground amid the dangers of lions and hyenas in the Kalahari Desert.
This portrayal is not an expression of complaint but rather an affirmation of the family's persistent inclination toward modest living. The necessity of such arrangements derives, in part, from the unique environment of the residence itself. The property near a rocket launch site simply does not accommodate conventional luxury housing, as Maye explained in a 2022 interview with The Times of London. She stated unequivocally, “I have to sleep in the garage. You can't have a fancy house near a rocket site.” When questioned about her son's disposition toward material comfort, she confirmed that Elon Musk remains largely indifferent to such notions.
Supporting this outlook, Musk has made the unconventional choice of residing in a prefabricated home measuring approximately 375 square feet, located adjacent to the launch site since 2021. Valued around $50,000, this minimalist dwelling epitomizes functional proximity, offering pragmatic convenience over ostentation. This decision is consistent with Musk’s publicly declared philosophy dating back to 2020, where he announced intentions to relinquish ownership of most possessions, specifically noting, “Will own no house,” and the forthcoming sale of his multiple mansions.
His adherence to this plan has been transparent; estate properties were divested, and his personal living space consolidated into a significantly reduced footprint. Visits from family members adjust accordingly, with comfort giving way to practicality and closeness to Musk’s work environment.
Musk further elaborated on his perception of wealth in a 2025 social media entry on X, framing his financial status predominantly as equity in Tesla and SpaceX. He highlighted that the value of his holdings is directly correlated with the performance and output of these companies. Essentially, his wealth reflects the tangible products and services delivered by his enterprises, such as rockets launching and vehicles shipping, rather than abstract valuation.
While this minimalist lifestyle stands in stark contrast to common billionaire norms, where opulent accommodations are often standard for family members, Maye Musk's acceptance of these frugal arrangements signals an alignment with her son's values and priorities. Rather than extravagant suites or dedicated guest homes, her lodging consists of simple bedding in close vicinity to the launchpad.
Importantly, Maye Musk does not express dissatisfaction with the simplicity of her accommodations. For her, the paramount value lies in proximity to her son and participation in his life. Comfort becomes secondary to support and presence.
This narrative underscores a broader theme about how priorities can shift in the face of immense wealth when the focus is placed more on purpose and proximity than on material excess. Elon Musk's provision to his mother offers insight into a family ethos that embraces sparseness as a conscious choice, valuing experiential closeness over indulgence.
In conclusion, the Musk household’s approach reveals that the richest man in the world refrains from conventional status displays in favor of practical living. His mother’s modest accommodations within a $50,000 prefabricated structure near a rocket launch site—far from luxury but close to purpose—embody this philosophy.