'Horrifying': Elon Musk's mother recalls scary incident when billionaire was 5

Maye Musk confirmed the incident and called it 'horrifying'. (Image: mayemusk/Instagram)

Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, once scared his mother when he left his house without telling anyone. The billionaire, when five-years-old, was grounded and was not being allowed to watch a play that was happening on the other side of the town. So, he decided to escape from his house.

A video of Musk recalling the details of this childhood incident was shared on X by a page called Technododge. In the clip, the Tesla chief remembered how he desperately wanted to watch the play with his cousins. “I was grounded one afternoon and prevented from going to a play with my cousins on the other side of the town. I disagreed with this and escaped my nanny and walked across town. I could barely read signs and this was obviously a foolish thing to do. Something terrible could have happened- I could have been kidnapped or run over,” Musk said.

“But I was determined to go. So I basically walked across the capital city. My mom got really freaked out because she saw me just as I was entering my cousin's house walking along the sidewalk and flipped out,” he added.

When a 6-year-old @elonmusk walked across the whole capital and scared @mayemusk pic.twitter.com/NNfjHOnr6q

— (@astro_greek) January 8, 2024

In anticipation of a scolding, Musk quickly climbed a tree until his mother promised him that she would not punish him and would let him stay with his cousins.

Musk’s old video went viral and caught the attention of his mother, Maye, as well. She retweeted the post and wrote, “I remember this well. I think he was five because he couldn’t read yet. We still wonder how he crossed the streets and no one tried to stop him. Horrifying.”

I remember this well. I think he was five because he couldn’t read yet. We still wonder how he crossed the streets and no one tried to stop him. Horrifying https://t.co/ldk90SBKrJ

— Maye Musk (@mayemusk) January 8, 2024

Several social media users narrated their own experiences in the comments section. A number of them also resonated with with Maye's emotions at that time.

“My son at 3 decided to go to the playground by himself while I was in the shower. He made it and a neighbor watched him until I got there. It took 10 years off my life. He is turning 18 this year,” a user wrote.

Another user commented, “I’ll bet, such a horrifying experience to have gone through.”

"A curious adventurer with a very brave heart! Elon always have the qualities of an outstanding personality, for sure very challenging for a single parent, but you raised him excellent. My huge respect for you sacrifice for the sake of your children," a third user remarked.

A fourth user added, "A parent’s nightmare for sure. Glad nothing happened to Elon."