8 major takeaways from the explosive new book about Elon Musk that lifts the lid on the world's richest person

Grace Dean,Grace KaySep 17, 2023, 16:07 IST

Elon Musk (left) allowed Walter Isaacson (right) to shadow him for three years for the biography.Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Vanity Fair

Walter Isaacson's biography on Elon Musk hit shelves last Tuesday.
The author trailed the Musk for about three years and provides a peek into the billionaire's mind.

Elon Musk has dominated headlines for years, but a new book proves there is still plenty to learn about the world's richest man.

After shadowing Musk for three years, Walter Isaacson provided a peek behind the curtain into the life of one of the most powerful men in the world in his biography on the Tesla CEO.

The book hit shelves on September 12 and it had some eye-popping details about the billionaire — from big reveals on his relationship with Ukraine and the birth of his eleventh child to details on Musk's hardcore work ethic and emotional swings.

Here are eight things we learned from the biography.

Musk's moods vary a lot, and those close to him fear his 'demon mode.'

Musk's moods vary a lot, and those close to him fear his "demon mode."Chesnot via Getty Images

Elon Musk's relationship with his father massively affected his personality and outlook on the world.

Elon Musk's relationship with his father impacted his personality and outlook on the world.Gianliuigi Guercia/Getty Images

Musk's 'hardcore' work ethic has always been a part of him.

Musk's 'hardcore' work ethic has always been a part of him.Paul Sakuma/AP

He's been difficult to work with from the start.

Elon Musk (right) and Kimbal Musk (left) used to wrestle when they worked on Zip2 together.Chris Saucedo/Getty Images for SXSW; Chesnot/Getty Images

Musk reacts physically to stress but it also motivates him. He can't handle peace.

Elon Musk is motivated by stress, his biographer says.Britta Pedersen-Pool/Getty Images

Musk can be a difficult person to date.

Grimes (right) said she's learned to deal with Musk's (left) mood swings.Variety/Getty Images

But he has a tender side too.

Musk (right) has a close connection with his three-year-old son X AE A-XII (left).Clive Mason - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

Musk's politics are beginning to echo his father's.

Elon Musk and Donald TrumpSaul Martinez/Getty Images and Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

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