Elon Musk’s “Modest” Living Situation
Elon Musk, the man behind Tesla, SpaceX, and a flurry of other visionary ventures, is undeniably one of our time’s most unique and polarizing figures. He’s known for thinking beyond the confines of convention, often leaving the world baffled by his actions.
From electric cars that go 0 to 60 mph in a blink to plans of colonizing Mars, Musk’s life is a curious mix of audacity and innovation. However, it’s not just his groundbreaking projects that raise eyebrows; his living situation is equally intriguing.
A Genius or a Hoax?
Elon Musk’s enigmatic persona invites a spirited debate: Is he a genius or a fool? Sometimes, the line between the two blurs, and it largely depends on one’s perspective. The Los Angeles Times, for instance, leans toward the latter, even going as far as to suggest a touch of psychopathy in his character.
elonmusknews/ Instagram | Musk first revealed his Boca Chica home in June of 2021.
They cite his refusal to learn from mistakes, his knack for spinning false narratives to cultivate a cult-like following, and his brief stint as Twitter CEO, which the Times characterizes as more foolish than genius.
But, foolish or not, Musk’s financial prowess is undeniable. Forbes’ real-time billionaire list consistently ranks him as the third-wealthiest person globally, with a fortune that seems to swell continuously, estimated at around $2.3 billion and counting. Given this astronomical wealth, it’s only natural to wonder why his living situation is anything but extravagant.
Musk’s Modest Home Base
In a world where the uber-rich collect vast estates like trophies, Elon Musk’s residential choice is remarkably modest. While Jeff Bezos ranks as the 24th largest landowner in the United States, boasting an impressive 420,000 acres of land, Musk takes a different path.
Forbes reports that he rents a 400-square-foot studio apartment in Boca Chica, Texas. While real estate prices can be steep in the 78520 area code, one might expect Musk to opt for a more spacious abode, considering his financial stature.
elonmusk__.official/ Instagram | Tesla and SpaceX CEO says his friends “can’t believe” he lives in the modest Boca Chica
Prioritizing Purpose Over Luxury
With such a compact living space, hosting sleepovers for his ten children seems implausible. However, Musk has maintained that he shares equal custody of his children with his first wife, Justine Musk.
In an op-ed for Insider following his divorce, he emphasized his commitment to spending a significant portion of his non-work waking hours with his kids, whom he called the “love of my life.” Yet, questions arise about where Musk accommodates his third child, as Grimes, his partner, has accused him of preventing her from seeing their child.
According to TMZ, Musk has been avoiding the comforts of a traditional home, often preferring to crash on friends’ sofas. In a TED interview, he spoke about his inclination to shun the trappings of immense wealth, instead redirecting his resources toward making the world a better place. Perhaps this is his way of preparing for the day when he leaves Earth behind for a mini-Musk colony on Mars.
Nonetheless, Musk always has his 400-square-foot home as a fallback option when the allure of sofa surfing wanes. Forbes reveals that he rents this “foldable, prefabricated home” from his own company, SpaceX, a move that likely offers him significant tax advantages. The portable micro-house measures 20×20 feet and comprises a single room, cleverly divided into a living area, bathroom, and kitchen. Musk himself has called it “kinda awesome.”
elonmusknews/ Instagram | Musk tweeted that he rents the property from SpaceX.
A Philanthropic Vision
Elon Musk is on a mission that doesn’t involve amassing real estate. In a series of tweets in 2020, Musk vowed to sell off all his possessions to improve the world before departing for Mars. He has followed through on this commitment, selling six of his seven properties, including a Hollywood mansion once owned by film icon Gene Wilder and a sprawling $30 million Bel Air estate with breathtaking Pacific Ocean views.
As Forbes reports, Musk’s properties, collectively valued at $127 million, were gradually divested. The only home he retained was an events house in the Bay Area, which he later decided to sell, stating that it should go to a large family who could cherish it.
Musk’s real estate venture yielded him $25 million after settling taxes and outstanding mortgages, leaving him without a permanent residence. He sought refuge with a “rich friend” who owned a waterfront mansion in Austin, Texas.