Elon Musk, the tech magnate behind Tesla Inc. and SpaceX, is one of the richest people in the world, but his journey to the top wasn’t a smooth ride in a first-class spaceship.

While Musk has spoken about a challenging 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood, it’s his mother, Maye Musk, who offers a glimpse into the early days that helped shape the billionaire he is today.

Maye Musk recently shared a photo on social media, a throwback to 1990, featuring a young Elon Musk in his first suit. The post read: “1990. Photo taken in our rent-controlled Toronto apartment with my mom’s artwork on the wall. Elon’s first suit — $99 and included a shirt, tie and socks. I couldn’t afford a second suit, so he wore the same suit every day to work.”

The caption paints a picture of a young man starting out, with his mother’s artistic touch evident on the walls of their Toronto apartment. This wasn’t a life of luxury; Maye Musk wore $19 shoes while walking the runway as a model.

In a 2018 interview with The Guardian, Maye Musk elaborated on her life as a single mother. “We used to live in a rent-controlled apartment in Toronto with Elon on the couch,” she said.

They built their lives brick by brick, literally saving for $5 sheets and eventually buying furniture. But financial limitations didn’t stop Maye Musk from nurturing her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren’s potential.

“I brought my kids up as a single mother with very little money, and we survived,” she said. “My kids are the loves of my life. All three are brilliant.”

This focus on self-reliance and resourcefulness seems to be a cornerstone of Maye Musk’s parenting philosophy.

“I taught them to be responsible for themselves and considerate to others,” she said. While Elon Musk may downplay his 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood happiness, there’s no denying the strong foundation his mother provided.

Although there have been rumors of a privileged upbringing fueled by an emerald mine, both Elon Musk and his mother have refuted these claims. Elon Musk posted on X that he “grew up in a lower, transitioning to upper, middle-income situation.” He said he never received significant financial support from his father after high school.

Maye Musk’s story is an inspiration, proving that success can be built from the ground up. It may not involve a trust fund or a family emerald mine, but with hard work, resourcefulness and a strong support system, achieving your goals is possible. For many, this journey might include seeking guidance from a financial adviser. These professionals can help people from all income backgrounds create a budget, explore investment options and develop a personalized roadmap to reach their financial goals, big or small.