On June 28th, Elon Musk, the American billionaire and multiple-time world’s richest person, celebrated his 53rd birthday. This energetic tech mogul is the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), and the father of at least 12 children. Known for handling an immense workload daily, many netizens have dubbed him a “time management master.” Recently, the media shed light on his daily routine.

Sleeping at 3 AM, Waking at 9 AM

First Thing in the Morning: Checking His Phone

Reports indicate that Musk typically goes to bed at 3 AM and wakes up at 9 AM, ensuring about six hours of sleep each night. Like many people, the first thing he does upon waking is check his phone. Although Musk admits this is a habit he wants to change, his connection to the digital world seems almost instinctual.

Managing a massive workload has earned Musk the title of “time management master.” He reportedly follows a strict daily schedule, prioritizing tasks based on their importance.

A True Workaholic

In terms of work, Musk is a bona fide workaholic, often working late into the night, especially during critical projects or turning points for his companies. He has publicly stated multiple times that running several companies is no easy feat. In an interview, Musk said, “I sleep, wake up, work, sleep, wake up, work—seven days a week. I have to do this for a while; there’s no choice.”

Musk has mentioned spending nights at Twitter headquarters after midnight and has been forced to sleep on the factory floors of Tesla and SpaceX, working over 120 hours a week, which left him exhausted. According to his biography, the billionaire often stays awake late at night, contemplating the challenges his companies face. By May 2023, Musk stated he no longer stays up late. Instead, he ensures he gets at least six hours of sleep each night.

In January 2023, a user on X pointed out that Musk testified in a lawsuit in the morning, attended an event at the Tesla factory in Nevada in the afternoon, and worked on Tesla AI projects in the evening—all in one day. During Tesla’s earnings call in April, an analyst asked Musk if he would reduce his involvement with Tesla due to his leadership of many important companies. Musk replied, “Tesla takes up most of my work time. I work almost every day of the week. I rarely take Sunday afternoons off. I need to ensure Tesla thrives. It is thriving and will continue to do so.”

Minimal Exercise, Loves Gaming

Outside of work, Musk has little time for other activities. He dislikes exercise and has stated that he would avoid all forms of physical activity if he could. In a 2023 tweet, he wrote, “I almost never work out, except for lifting my kids and throwing them in the air.”

However, Musk enjoys gaming. His ex-girlfriend revealed that when “Elden Ring” was first released, Musk was so engrossed in the game that he stayed up all night playing it. Musk also frequently shares his thoughts and feelings about games like “Genshin Impact,” “Diablo IV,” and “Cyberpunk 2077” on his social media accounts.

According to his biography, Musk has been a gaming enthusiast since childhood. At 11, he fell in love with computers when he first saw one at a shopping mall, but his father wouldn’t buy it. So, Elon earned money through odd jobs, bought a computer, and became hooked on gaming.

Musk has publicly stated that his interest in technology stemmed from playing video games. Without video games, he might not have started programming.

The Importance of Showers and a Love for Donuts

Musk believes that taking a shower has the most positive impact on his daily life. In a Q&A session years ago, a user asked him which daily habit had the greatest impact on his life. Musk simply replied, “Showering.” He views it as not only a personal hygiene practice but also a space for reflection and clear thinking before facing the day’s challenges.

Surprisingly, Musk has a fondness for donuts and starts his day with one. He has stated on social media, “I eat a donut every morning.” He also mentioned that while he loves donuts, he eats them in moderation, jokingly saying, “I only eat 0.4 donuts at a time because my brain quantifies it as zero donuts.”

cover image: VCG