Elon Musk Used To Email Ex-Google CEO Larry Page When He Was 'Kind Of Homeless' And Ask 'Can I Come Over?'

Elon Musk, one of the top three richest individuals globally and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, stands out for his indifference to luxury homes, unlike other billionaires. 

In contrast, Larry Page, Google's co-founder and former CEO, owns multiple mansions and recently made headlines with his $32 million purchase of a Puerto Rican island. Page has commented on Musk's preference for a nomadic lifestyle, highlighting the diverse ways tech leaders approach their wealth and lifestyle choices.

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Musk has famously committed to a lifestyle that includes owning no house, a major contrast to the opulence typically associated with his peers in the billionaire club. He does own a $50,000 tiny home he uses as a guest house in Texas. 

His unconventional home choice is rooted in a philosophy that prioritizes mobility and practicality. Musk's approach to living has even included periods where he has relied on the hospitality of friends for a place to crash, even after achieving billionaire status.

In 2015, Business Insider reported an anecdote about Musk from Larry Page. The story was relayed to Ashley Vance, the author of Musk’s first biography.

Page recounted Musk casually requesting accommodations, saying: “He’ll email and say, ‘I don’t know where to stay tonight. Can I come over?'” This led Page to describe Musk as “kind of homeless, which I think is sort of funny” — painting a picture of Musk’s seemingly transient lifestyle.

Despite their friendship, Page amusingly added: “I haven’t given him a key or anything yet,” underscoring the informal and impromptu nature of Musk’s visits to Page’s home. At this time, Musk already had a net worth of around $13 billion, meaning he could have afforded lavish accommodations anywhere instead of asking to crash at Page’s place.

It's important to highlight that Musk and Page are no longer friends. This change is documented in Walter Isaacson's 2023 biography of Musk, where it's revealed that the rift between them stemmed from a disagreement over artificial intelligence, leading to former close friends completely cutting off all communication. Their bond was once so strong that Page expressed to Charlie Rose his preference for entrusting his wealth to Musk over donating it to charity. 

Musk's status as one of the richest men in the world, along with being the father of 11 children and his consistent choice to live without owning a home, redefines traditional views of wealth and success. This aspect of his life, far from being a new development, highlights a long-standing commitment to a lifestyle that values innovation and distinct principles over the traditional acquisition of possessions. 

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