At the third edition of Dubai's 1 Billion Followers Summit, Maye Musk took the stage to deliver one of the event's most personal sessions: "How I Raised Three Amazing Children, Including the Richest Man in the World." Organised by the UAE Government Media Office under the theme "Content for Good", the Summit ran from January 11 to 13, 2025, across Emirates Towers, DIFC, and the Museum of the Future — drawing over 15,000 content creators, 420+ speakers, and 125 CEOs.
Parenting Philosophy: Independence, Hard Work, and Perseverance
During her panel — hosted by Alia AlHammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office — the 76-year-old model and entrepreneur reflected on raising three children who each built remarkable careers: Elon, the world's richest man; Kimbal, a restaurateur and philanthropist; and Tosca, a TV producer.
Musk credited her approach to parenting as the foundation of their success: an emphasis on independence, hard work, and perseverance from an early age. "They never wanted to make money," she told the audience. "They always wanted to do good."
Her session was attended by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
A Single Mother Who Refused to Stop
Musk spoke candidly about the challenges she faced after leaving her husband, Errol Musk, and raising three children alone. "It wasn't easy for me as a young single mother," she said. "I had to support us."
Rather than step back, she pushed forward — completing two degrees in dietetics and nutritional science and founding her own nutrition company. At 21, she had been a finalist in the 1969 Miss South Africa pageant, a springboard to a decades-long modelling career.
Today, Musk has built a social media following of more than 3.35 million followers, turning her personal brand into a platform for entrepreneurial advice.
Content Creators: "Get Out There and Show What You Do"
Addressing the Summit's core audience of startups and content creators, Musk offered direct advice: "Get out there and show people what you do. If you don't like what you do, make a change — and then let people know about it."
She also underscored the value of self-promotion done right: "You have to brag about yourself without sounding like you're bragging, and you have to let people know that you are relevant."
A Woman Makes a Plan
Musk's autobiography, A Woman Makes a Plan: Advice for a Lifetime of Adventure, Beauty, and Success, threads together her modelling years, single motherhood, and the entrepreneurial mindset she instilled in her children. She noted that Elon's early passion for computers helped shape the family's belief that turning knowledge into purpose is the surest path to impact.
Her story aligned closely with the Summit's "Content for Good" mission — the idea that creative and entrepreneurial content can drive real-world change for future generations.
