Maye Musk, mother of Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk, recently shed light on her son's rigorous work schedule, attending his Saturday meetings that often ran late into the evening. She described these hourly sessions as both fascinating and mesmerizing, despite her own inability to stay past 11 p.m. Her observations underscore a widely recognized aspect of Elon Musk's professional life: an unwavering commitment to his ventures, often involving exceptionally long hours and intense focus. This deep dive into his work habits emerged following comments from David Sacks, a prominent figure during the Trump administration and a former AI Czar, who extolled Musk's dedication during a recent industry event.
Maye Musk's comments were prompted by a video clip featuring David Sacks, who, in a discussion with Salesforce Inc. CEO Marc Benioff at the 'Dreamforce 2025' event held in San Francisco, lauded Elon Musk's relentless work ethic. Sacks recounted a personal visit where he left Musk still working past midnight, estimating that he continued until the early hours of the morning. He concluded by stating, 'I don't know anybody who works as hard as him.' This sentiment resonates with Elon Musk's publicly expressed philosophy on labor, where he consistently advocates for 'super hard' work as a key determinant of success. His mother's recent remarks on social media reinforce this perception, providing an intimate glimpse into the reality of his demanding professional life.
Elon Musk's approach to work has been a consistent theme throughout his career. In a 2014 commencement address, he famously articulated that working significantly more hours than competitors directly translates into greater achievements. This principle, which he has applied to his leadership roles at companies such as Tesla and SpaceX, emphasizes the direct correlation between effort and outcome. For instance, he once suggested that working 100 hours a week would allow an individual to accomplish twice as much as someone working 50 hours. This rigorous dedication, as shared by his mother and confirmed by industry peers like David Sacks, is fundamental to understanding the trajectory of his entrepreneurial success.
The intensity of Elon Musk's work ethic often blurs the lines between his professional and personal spheres, a challenge he has openly acknowledged. He once shared with a BBC North America tech reporter that social gatherings frequently involve discussions about projects, making it difficult to differentiate between leisure and work. This relentless drive is not unique in the tech world; it finds parallels in other industry leaders, such as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who similarly characterizes his own demanding routine as 'hardcore.' These anecdotes collectively paint a picture of leaders who are deeply immersed in their work, embodying a commitment that extends far beyond conventional working hours.
Maye Musk's recent observations, supported by the testimony of David Sacks, confirm that Elon Musk maintains an exceptionally demanding work schedule. His mother's attendance at his lengthy Saturday meetings, coupled with Sacks's account of Musk working well into the night, provides further evidence of his profound dedication. This aligns with Musk's established belief in the power of 'super hard' work, a philosophy he attributes to his significant accomplishments at Tesla and SpaceX. The narratives shared by those close to him and his professional circle consistently highlight a work ethic that many consider unparalleled, solidifying his image as a leader who leads by example through sheer perseverance.