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Lo Hoi-ying

Having children is a “good investment” in one’s happiness, Elon Musk’s mother has said at a Hong Kong event on fertility, encouraging more women to start families and saying they do not have to sacrifice their careers.
Dietitian and model Maye Musk also said one of her greatest fears was that her 18 grandchildren would not have friends if people stopped giving birth.
“Babies are the most wonderful things in your life,” the 77-year-old said at the Global Fertility Crisis Forum, which was organised by the Yuwa Population Research Institute, on Thursday.
“Having children is a good investment in your happiness.”
She was chatting with James Liang, co-founder of online travel giant Trip.com Group, with whom she discussed details of her parenting journey.
Last year, Liang launched a HK$500 million foundation in Hong Kong to tackle the wider nation’s deepening fertility crisis.
Maye Musk, who divorced her husband, Errol Musk, at 30 and survived domestic abuse, raised three children, including her eldest, Elon, who is the richest man in the world.
She recalled her mother’s 90th birthday, which was celebrated by the latter’s five children, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“It was the most wonderful day of her life,” she said. “If she had no children, she would only have a few friends who are still alive. Most of her friends were dead by then.”
Elon Musk is believed to have at least 14 children with four women: author Justine Wilson, singer Grimes, Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis and conservative influencer Ashley St Clair.
When Liang asked what she thought of Elon Musk’s “unconventional family structure”, she replied that he “takes everything to the extreme”.
“He loves all his children, and he seems happy too,” she said.
Maye Musk said she cherished having meals and enjoying activities such as swimming with her 18 grandchildren, whom she described as “adorable”.
“Sometimes the older ones stay with me, and I bring them to a premiere or fashion event,” she said.
But when asked about what her fears were for the younger generation, Musk said attitudes towards childbirth were a concern.
“I am worried [my grandchildren] will not have friends,” she said.
“There are not enough children around as people are not having children.”

Musk, who ran a private dietitian practice from home while her children grew up and returned to modelling at 28 years old, said social media gave women hope that they could still have careers at an older age.
“Many women do not want to have babies because of their careers,” she said.
“I’m modelling now more than ever, and I think social media gives women hope that at 77, you can still pursue a career and your hard work is not neglected.”
She said many might feel that their careers would be put on hold after giving birth and would not have help at home.
“But when the children start going to school, a woman can start investing in herself and find what she wants to do, and you can work on your career,” she said.
Musk also published a memoir titled A Woman Makes a Plan: Advice for a Lifetime of Adventure, Beauty and Success in 2019, which emerged as a bestseller in mainland China.
Her active engagement on social media platforms such as RedNote and Douyin has also made her popular among Chinese youths, mostly women, who look up to her as a role model.
Musk has cultivated a reputation as an icon of the silver economy for her elegant ageing, signing on as a brand ambassador and gracing magazine covers on the mainland.
When asked to give parenting advice, Musk said she was not uptight about their grades but made sure they were well-mannered.
“It was unusual in those days to be a single mother,” she said.
“[Children] make you so happy and they bring you joy, and that should be the reason for having children,” she said. “If they are successful, then that is even nicer.”


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Elon Musk’s mother reveals hopes, fears for future at Hong Kong fertility forum

Maye Musk, mother of Elon Musk, speaking at the Global Fertility Crisis Forum, organised by the Yuwa Population Research Institute. Photo: Handout

Maye Musk has said many women do not want children because of their careers. Photo: Jelly Tse

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Brian Wong and his wife Lilian Chan with daughters Gia (left) and Miracle. Photo: Sun Yeung

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News

Hong Kong

Society

Dietitian and model Maye Musk shares views at Global Fertility Crisis Forum, organised by Yuwa Population Research Institute


Dietitian and model Maye Musk shares views at Global Fertility Crisis Forum, organised by Yuwa Population Research Institute.


Elon Musk

Ageing society

Elon Musk’s mother reveals hopes, fears for future at Hong Kong fertility forum

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Dietitian and model Maye Musk shares views at Global Fertility Crisis Forum, organised by Yuwa Population Research Institute

Dietitian and model Maye Musk shares views at Global Fertility Crisis Forum, organised by Yuwa Population Research Institute