August 4, 2025 – Austin, Texas
By: Clara Nguyen | Global Wire News

In a rare moment of public vulnerability, Elon Musk shared a deeply personal message on X (formerly Twitter) last night, revealing that his mother, Maye Musk, is battling late-stage cancer — a revelation that has shaken both fans and followers around the world.

“My mom is the strongest woman I know. She’s fighting cancer with more courage than I’ve ever seen,” Elon wrote.
“Please send her your love. She’s my hero.”

The message, posted at 10:27 p.m. and already viewed over 89 million times, was accompanied by a black-and-white photo of Elon holding his mother’s hand, their fingers intertwined, resting on a hospital blanket.

💔 A Private Struggle, Now Public

Maye Musk, 77, is a renowned model, dietitian, and author — and a beloved figure in the public eye, often admired for her elegance, independence, and intellect. Until now, there had been no public signs of illness.

Sources close to the family have confirmed that she was diagnosed several months ago, and has been undergoing intensive treatment at a private facility in California. The type of cancer has not been disclosed, at the family’s request.

“She didn’t want anyone to worry,” one close family friend said. “She was more concerned about Elon’s stress and workload than about herself.”

 

🧠 Elon Musk Opens Up

Known for his tough public persona and relentless work ethic, Elon Musk’s emotional post took many by surprise. In follow-up replies, Musk described his mother as “the foundation of everything I’ve ever built” and added:

“She raised three kids on her own. Through poverty. Through abuse. Through endless hardship. And now she’s fighting the hardest battle of all.”

Musk also shared that he has temporarily reduced travel to be near her bedside in Los Angeles and is “re-evaluating priorities.”

💬 Outpouring of Support

Public figures across industries offered messages of solidarity:

• Barack Obama reposted Musk’s message, writing: “Wishing strength and healing to your mother. She’s inspired many.”
• Oprah Winfrey, who once interviewed Maye on her podcast, wrote: “Maye is grace under fire. The world is behind her now.”
• Tens of thousands of fans replied with their own stories of battling cancer or caring for loved ones, turning the comment thread into a space of empathy and shared humanity.

🧬 The Musk Family Legacy

Maye’s story has long been intertwined with Elon’s. Born in Canada and raised in South Africa, she was once a single mother working five jobs to provide for her children. In recent years, she has become an icon in her own right — walking runways for major fashion houses and publishing her bestselling memoir, A Woman Makes a Plan.

“I’m proud of Elon,” she once said in an interview, “but I’m even more proud that he calls me every day — no matter what.”

 

⏳ What Comes Next?

The Musk family has requested privacy, but Elon confirmed that his mother is still “fighting with everything she has” and asked for love, not pity.

“She doesn’t want tears,” he wrote. “She wants laughter, memories, and stories. Share them if you can.”

While the prognosis is unknown, the moment has humanized one of the most polarizing and powerful figures of our time — and reminded the world that behind the titles, tweets, and tech revolutions, there is a son simply trying not to lose his mom.