From Struggle to Supermodel: Maye Musk’s Remarkable Rise at 76
At 76, Maye Musk defies every expectation—gracing runways, fronting Vogue, and starring in Beyoncé’s videos. But behind the glamor lies a story of grit, sacrifice, and triumph over adversity.
A New Chapter in the Spotlight
In January, Maye Musk lit up the cover of Tatler China, draped in a stunning red silk cape dress and feathered hat. It was a bold look—and a bold statement from a woman who transformed hardship into high fashion.
Though she began modeling at 15, Maye’s true global breakthrough came decades later. From strutting down catwalks to becoming a Revlon ambassador and appearing in TIME, she’s proof that beauty, strength, and success have no expiration date.
Beyond the spotlight, she’s a certified dietitian and author of A Woman Makes a Plan, her empowering 2019 memoir that chronicles how she reclaimed joy after years of struggle.
“I used to accept misfortune,” she told readers. “But I overcame fate and found joy again. Now I want to inspire those who feel lost.”
Escaping Abuse, Surviving Poverty
Maye married Errol Musk in 1970, raising three children—Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca. But behind closed doors, life was painful.
In a Harper’s Bazaar interview, Maye and Elon spoke candidly about Errol’s emotional abuse.
“He’d insult me in public—call me stupid, ugly, and boring,” Maye recalled. “People called him a pig because of how he treated me.”
Despite his wealth, Errol refused to support the family. After nine years, Maye left the marriage, taking the children with her—and plunging them into poverty.
They relocated from South Africa to Toronto, where every cent mattered.
“I cried when milk spilled—I couldn’t afford to replace it,” she told Vogue.
Five Jobs, One Mother, No Regrets
To keep her family afloat, Maye worked five jobs—modeling, teaching, and even working as a lab assistant at the University of Toronto so her children could attend classes for free.
Her first paycheck bought a rug. Her second? A computer for Elon.
“He sat on that rug and used it,” she said with a smile.
Without a man in the house, Maye took on everything—from parenting to plumbing.
“Tosca remembers the day I hurt my hand hammering a nail,” she said.
Raising Resilient, Independent Minds
Maye taught her children to be fearless and self-reliant. She helped Elon apply for his first job at Microsoft and encouraged Kimbal to start working at a local bank.
But she never micromanaged.
“I didn’t check their homework. I didn’t force them to study. I just taught them to be kind, compassionate, and capable.”
Elon, she said, only studied subjects that fascinated him—an early sign of his passion-driven path.
A Mother’s Lasting Impact
Even in their hardest times, her children found ways to show love. For one birthday, Elon and Kimbal gifted her a toy house and a tiny car—symbols of what they dreamed of giving her one day.
“That toy house means the most to me,” Maye told Tatler. “They kept their promise.”
Today, Maye Musk stands as a symbol of elegance, endurance, and evolution. She still speaks her mind—often defending Tesla and calling out policies that overlook the company’s impact on electric vehicles.
But perhaps her greatest legacy isn’t the covers or campaigns—it’s the children she raised, the strength she modeled, and the voice she never let go silent.