Maye Musk, the mother of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has stirred conversation online after stating that calling her son “wealthy” is “degrading.” Instead, she believes he should be recognized as “the world’s genius.”

A Mother’s Perspective

In a recent interview, Maye Musk defended her son against critics who often focus on his massive fortune rather than his contributions to science, technology, and space exploration.

“People always refer to him as ‘the richest man in the world,’ but that’s so limiting,” Maye said. “Elon is not just wealthy—he is a genius who is pushing humanity forward.”

She went on to emphasize his achievements, from Tesla’s electric vehicles to SpaceX’s advancements in space travel, Neuralink’s brain-computer interface, and The Boring Company’s infrastructure innovations.

The Genius Behind the Wealth

Elon Musk’s net worth has fluctuated between $200 billion and $300 billion in recent years, largely due to the success of Tesla and SpaceX. However, Maye Musk insists that his real value lies in his “relentless drive to innovate.”

“Wealth is just a byproduct of his vision. His mission has always been about solving big problems—whether it’s sustainable energy, space travel, or artificial intelligence,” she explained.

Musk himself has downplayed his billionaire status in the past, stating that he reinvests most of his money into his companies rather than personal luxuries.

Mixed Reactions Online

Maye Musk’s statement has sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Supporters agree that Musk’s contributions to technology and space exploration far outweigh his financial status. Critics, however, argue that his immense wealth gives him power and influence, making it impossible to separate his genius from his financial status.

“You can’t ignore the fact that money enables his vision,” one Twitter user wrote.

Another countered, “Calling him ‘just rich’ is like calling Einstein ‘just a guy with crazy hair.’”

A Legacy Beyond Fortune

Despite differing opinions, there’s no denying that Musk has had a profound impact on multiple industries. Whether history remembers him as “the world’s richest man” or “the world’s genius” may depend on the long-term success of his ambitious ventures.

For now, Maye Musk remains her son’s biggest supporter, ensuring that his legacy is framed as one of intellect and innovation rather than just financial success.