Elon Musk's Parents Were Told, 'Your Son Is Retarded,' Now He's Worth $317 Billion

Despite early struggles, the Tesla and SpaceX founder proved his doubters wrong.

Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, is now worth an estimated $317 billion, making him one of the richest people in the world. But his journey to success was not without its challenges. As a child, Musk was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). His parents were told that he was "retarded" and would never amount to anything.

Despite these early struggles, Musk went on to excel in school and eventually earned degrees in physics and economics from the University of Pennsylvania. He then founded Zip2, a company that provided maps and business directories to online newspapers. Zip2 was acquired by Compaq in 1999 for $307 million.

In 2002, Musk founded SpaceX, a company that develops and manufactures rockets and spacecraft. SpaceX has since become one of the leading companies in the commercial space industry. In 2004, Musk invested in Tesla Motors, an electric car company. He became the company's CEO in 2008 and has since led Tesla to become the world's leading electric car manufacturer.

Musk's success is a testament to his determination and perseverance. He has overcome significant challenges to achieve his goals. His story is an inspiration to anyone who has ever been told that they cannot achieve their dreams.

Here are some of the things that Musk has said about his early struggles:

• "I was told I was retarded and would never amount to anything."
• "I was bullied relentlessly as a child."
• "I had to work really hard to overcome my challenges."

Despite his early struggles, Musk has achieved great success in his life. He is a role model for anyone who has ever faced adversity.