Maye Musk, the mother of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has stirred controversy with her recent comments on parenting, asserting the importance of having children even when financial hardship may be looming. During her appearance on Fox and Friends on December 15, the 76-year-old model discussed her views on raising children amid discussions about the rising costs associated with parenthood.
When interviewer Rachel Campos-Duffy introduced the topic, she pointed out how Musk had previously responded to claims made by comedian Chelsea Handler, who criticized the affordability of raising children. Musk's response, delivered via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), described children as the "greatest gift" one can have and shared her personal experiences of parenthood.
“Having children is the greatest gift in your life,” Musk proclaimed during the Fox interview. "When Elon was born, we were in a small two-bedroom apartment overlooking a garage. When Kimbal was born, we moved to a two-bedroom apartment with a view. When Tosca was born, we moved to a two-bedroom house. All in the same area.” Her reflections emphasized the idea of prioritizing family and finding joy through challenges.
She continued to explain how their living situation improved as her former husband’s career advanced. "We didn’t go out for dinner nor to the movies. Children give you your greatest joy in the world. I never felt like I was sacrificing anything," Musk insisted, underscoring the importance of valuing the time spent with children over material expenditures.
Despite her heartfelt sentiments, Musk's comments did not resonate positively with many social media users, who criticized her advice as disconnected from the realities faced by many families today. One commentator sarcastically responded, "Awesome advice: have kids, but don't do anything with them," highlighting their disagreement with Musk's suggestions.
Another user pointed out the stark realities of today's living costs, questioning her perceived oblivion to the financial burdens associated with raising children. This individual remarked, "When I had my first child, we were living in a two-bedroom apartment over a garage. She’s so oblivious, she doesn’t realize how much a f**king two-bedroom apartment costs now." Skepticism surrounded Musk’s perspective, as others called her the "utter epitome of privilege" and accused her of being detached from reality.
Critics also addressed the financial dilemma of childbirth itself, noting the significant hospital costs associated with giving birth—estimated at $13,000 to $18,000 with potential complications pushing expenses even higher. “Does she realize it costs thousands of dollars just to give birth?” one user questioned, driving the point home about how financial pressures significantly hinder potential parents.
Interestingly, the conversation around parenthood isn't entirely new for Elon Musk. He has previously expressed concerns about declining birth rates across the U.S., claiming they could pose a larger threat than climate change. This framing invigorated the discussion, yet it also begs the question: Should financial realities dictate who becomes parents?
On the same day of her Fox News appearance, Maye Musk offered additional reflections. "You don’t have to go to the movies, you don’t have to go out for dinner; you can just spend time with the most wonderful gifts you can ever have, is the children,” she reiterated, reinforcing her narrative of prioritizing familial bonds over luxury expenditures.
Maye’s comments have sparked wider conversations about societal expectations of parenting, the financial pressures young families face today, and the stigma around discussing the challenges of raising children. With inflation and economic pressures mounting, many young couples grapple with the choice between personal ambitions and starting families.
Maye is not unfamiliar with backlash; just last month she defended her son against labels like "wealthy," insisting he is the "genius of the world." She commented on her son's relationship with former President Donald Trump, expressing admiration for the interactions between their families, stating, "The funny thing is at the Thanksgiving dinner, Barron and Elon were talking planets."
Nevertheless, the heart of the matter remains clear. While the Musk family advocates for joy and fulfillment from family, those on the other end of the spectrum stress the realities of raising children in economic hardship.
It raises numerous questions: Will parenting advice from the ultra-wealthy not only continue to polarize discussions but redefine expectations for younger generations? Can we emerge from this debate with more clarity on what it means to nurture the next generation in today’s ever-changing economic climate? And what responsibility do affluent individuals have when voicing their opinions on such deeply personal issues?
