In a heartwarming turn of events, tech billionaire Elon Musk recently discovered that the janitor from his old high school, Mr. Bernard Collins, is still working—at the age of 79. The surprising revelation came during Musk’s visit to his alma mater in South Africa, where he was invited to speak to students about innovation and perseverance.
While touring the school grounds, Musk recognized Mr. Collins sweeping the hallway, just as he remembered from his teenage years. Stunned that the man who quietly kept the school clean for decades was still on the job, Musk paused to speak with him. The humble janitor greeted Musk with a warm smile, recalling the young boy who used to ask questions about electricity and science while he worked.
Deeply moved, Musk decided to do something unforgettable. During his speech to the students, he called Mr. Collins onto the stage and shared the story of his dedication and work ethic. “This man showed up every day, without fail, with kindness and pride in his work,” Musk said. “He inspired me more than he’ll ever know.”
To everyone’s surprise, Musk then announced he would be gifting Mr. Collins a $100,000 retirement fund, along with a Tesla of his choice, as a thank-you for his lifelong commitment and quiet influence.
The story quickly went viral, with social media praising Musk for recognizing the value of everyday heroes. Mr. Collins, overwhelmed with emotion, expressed gratitude and said he never imagined being acknowledged in such a way.
It was a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful gestures come from remembering where we started—and who helped us along the way.
