Interesting for sure, but not unexpected. You would not entrust your life's work to your shareholders without having overwhelming control.

Unless I'm mistaken, many founders do give up control to their share holders.

Yes, but Elon himself has put $100M into the company, and most of that early. Musk is also popular of the "space travel is scary and there will be accidents; if we put it in the hands of the shareholders it'll get shut down" argument and that's certainly a part of his negotiating position.

For many founders their company being their "life's work" is closer to a delusion, or being generous, a conceit.

yes, but only when forced to do so, Musk hasn't yet had to do that. It's a one time trick when you have a funding crisis.