Elon Musk is now the richest person in the world with a net worth of $187 billion, and while his mother Maye Musk realized he was a genius when he was a child, she has admitted that she didn't always know if the SpaceX CEO was destined for greatness. .
The 72-year-old model was promoting the paperback release of her book A Woman Makes a Plan on CBS This Morning on Monday when she detailed how her children Elon, 49, Kimbal, 48, and Tosca, 46, discovered their passions at a young age.  .
'At three, I knew [Elon] was a genius,' Maye told hosts Gayle King and Anthony Mason, 'but you still don't know if he's going to do great things because many geniuses just end up in a basement being a genius but not applying it.'Â .
Proud mom: Maye Musk, 72, opened up about her three children, Elon, 49, Kimbal, 48, and Tosca, 46, while appearing on CBS This Morning on Monday .
Wow: While Elon (center) is the richest man in the world with a net worth of $187 billion, Kimbal (far right)Â founded a chain of farm-to-table restaurants and Tosca (far left) is a filmmaker.
Looking back: Maye said each of their children found their individual passions at an early age while growing up in South Africa .
Memories: Maye said she knew Elon was a genius when he was just three years old, but she wasn't always sure he was destined for greatness .
When asked if she owns a Tesla, Maye said, "Of course, [Elon] gets me the best.'Â
Kids: Elon shares 17-year-old twins, Griffin and Xavier, and 15-year-old triplets, Kai, Saxon, and Damian with his ex-wife Justine (pictured with ex-fiancee Talulah Riley and his sons in 2010)
Good example: Maye said her mother (pictured with Maye when she a child) never worried about aging or wrinkles and didn't retire until she was 96Â
Rising staar: Maye is just as impressive as her children, having found her greatest success as a model in her 60s and 70s
Maye is just as impressive as her children, having found her greatest success as a model in her 60s and 70s