Money
Elon Musk’s ex-wife reveals his secret to success: The key is in a single word
The 53-year-old’s first wife gave a TEDx Talk in which she outlined how the Tesla and SpaceX owner had risen to the top.

Elon Musk was a very prominent present at the inauguration of President Donald Trump earlier this week, giving an on-stage address to celebrate Trump’s return to the White House.
The SpaceX and Tesla boss is the richest man in the world and has profited significantly from his ties to Trump. The 53-year-old looks set to remain a close advisor of the President during his second term in office and could even have some governmental duties through the controversial DOGE body.
Musk has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years, buying up Twitter and finding himself at the centre of power in the United States. Throughout his life Musk has been incredibly driven, despite seeing his companies go close to bankruptcy on more than one occasion. His former wife, Justine Musk, revealed the secret to his success at a TEDx Talk back in 2015.
“I was married to a man who became extremely successful. And as I watched him rise I noticed two things. He worked very hard, much harder than your average bear. And he said no, a lot.

“He said no to people who wanted his time and attention and energy. He said no in a way that protected his resources so he could channel them towards his own goals. And I realised that behind every no there is a deeper yes to whatever it is that you do want.”
Justine Musk is full of admiration for her ex-husband’s ruthless approach to business but ultimately decided to split from him in 2013. In an article published in Marie Claire, she revealed that Elon had said, ‘I am the alpha in this relationship’ at their wedding reception.
“He had grown up in the male-dominated culture of South Africa, and the will to compete and dominate that made him so successful in business did not magically shut off when he came home.”
Later, reflecting on their decision to separate and eventually file for divorce, Justine insisted that she does not regret their marriage. She explained: I’ve worked through some anger, both at Elon for rendering me so disposable, and at myself for buying into a fairy tale when I should have known better."
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