Maye Musk

Maye Musk is a Canadian-born model and registered dietitian who has maintained an active career for over five decades. Born on April 19, 1948, in Regina, Saskatchewan, she holds citizenship in Canada, South Africa, and the United States. She stands as one of the most enduring figures in the fashion industry, appearing on countless international magazine covers while simultaneously practicing clinical nutrition. Her public profile extends beyond her own achievements to include her role as the mother of tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, restaurateur Kimbal Musk, and filmmaker Tosca Musk.

In 2026, she continues to break barriers with high-profile campaigns and book releases. Her recent work includes a major endorsement deal with the Chinese footwear brand Xtep and the upcoming publication of her memoir TIMELESS. She remains a prominent voice advocating for aging with grace, proving that professional relevance does not fade with age. Her life represents a unique intersection of global business influence and personal resilience. [edit]

Maye was born Maye Haldeman to Betty and Joe Haldeman in Regina, Saskatchewan. Her father served as a local politician and lawyer, while her mother worked as a homemaker and occasionally modeled. This environment fostered Maye's early interest in both the public eye and practical sciences. She moved to South Africa with her family during her teenage years, where she attended the University of Pretoria. There, she pursued her passion for health by studying dietetics and eventually earned a Master's degree in Science with a focus on Nutrition.

Before stepping into the global spotlight, she worked as a registered dietitian in South Africa. It was there that she began modeling locally to support herself and her young children after moving to Toronto at age 21. Her early career involved balancing clinical work with runway appearances in the late 1960s. She walked runways in New York, Paris, and Milan throughout the 1970s and 1980s, building a reputation for versatility and professionalism long before the internet era made celebrity status instantaneous. [edit]

Her modeling career reached new heights in the 1980s as she became a fixture on international runways and magazine covers. She graced the pages of Vogue, Elle, and Cosmopolitan across multiple countries. A pivotal moment occurred in 2023 when she broke age barriers by becoming the oldest woman to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. This appearance cemented her status as a symbol of longevity in the fashion world and sparked global conversations about ageism.

Parallel to her modeling success, she established her own practice, Maye Musk Nutrition, in the United States during the 1990s. She authored several books on healthy eating, culminating in her 2019 memoir A Woman Makes a Plan, which detailed her life experiences and parenting philosophy. In 2026, she expanded her portfolio with a significant endorsement deal with Xtep, a Chinese sportswear brand, promoting their aerospace carbon plate technology. She also released a new book titled TIMELESS in September 2026, continuing her exploration of aging and self-acceptance. [edit]

Maye Musk projects an image of timeless elegance and unshakeable resilience. Media outlets consistently describe her as ageless and empowering, serving as a role model for women over 50. Her signature style favors classic cuts and vibrant colors that accentuate her age-defying presence. On social media, her voice is optimistic and encouraging, often engaging directly with followers about the realities of aging without sugarcoating the challenges. She is viewed as a matriarchal figure who successfully navigated two distinct fields, modeling and nutrition, while maintaining a positive public persona. [edit]

Maye Musk commands a public following defined by professional admiration rather than organized devotion, as no formal fandom name exists to unify her audience. Her supporters engage primarily through her official channels and media appearances, drawn by her career longevity and family associations instead of ritualized campaigns or collective fan movements. While pop culture often mobilizes around specific idols, the attention she receives remains anchored in her status as a model, dietitian, and matriarch, with no evidence of street shutdowns, fan-funded projects, or dedicated sub-communities operating under a singular banner. Despite this lack of structured organization, her global footprint is substantial enough to secure distinct placements within the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. These metrics reflect a steady presence that has solidified her standing among international figures without requiring the fervor typical of entertainment industry stans. In September 2026, data confirmed she holds the position of the 27th most famous person from South Africa, a ranking that reflects her enduring relevance in a field where many contemporaries have faded into obscurity. The rankings serve as an objective measure of her reach, placing her firmly within the upper echelons of fame for her country of origin while acknowledging her broader impact as a Canadian-born citizen with American ties. Her profile benefits from a unique combination of professional achievements and high-profile familial connections, creating a narrative that resonates across multiple demographics. Unlike celebrities whose fame fluctuates wildly based on viral moments, Maye Musk maintains a consistent trajectory supported by decades of work and recent media narratives regarding her age-defying career and space travel ambitions. [edit]

Maye Musk holds triple citizenship in Canada, South Africa, and the United States, reflecting a life spent across three nations. She famously described her son Elon as a genius at age three, a quote that has become a staple in interviews regarding his early development. Another widely retold story involves her observation of his minimalist lifestyle in Texas, specifically noting that he uses only one towel in his shower. In August 2026, she declared her willingness to travel to space wherever her son wanted her to go, referencing SpaceX's lunar ambitions. She currently has 19 grandchildren and frequently appears alongside them in media interviews. Her social media presence spans Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook, where she engages directly with fans about aging and resilience. [edit]

Maye was married to electromechanical engineer Errol Musk from 1968 until their divorce in 1979. The couple had three children together: Elon, born in 1971; Kimbal, born in 1972; and Tosca, born in 1974. Raising three sons as a single mother was a challenging period where she supported them financially and emotionally while working multiple jobs. Despite the difficulties of the divorce, she maintains a close relationship with all three of her children. As of 2026, she has 19 grandchildren and often speaks publicly about the values of hard work and independence she instilled in her family. [edit]

Elon Musk, Kimbal Musk, Tosca Musk, Errol Musk. [edit]

Maye Musk was married once, to electromechanical engineer Errol Musk. They met in South Africa and wed in 1968. The union produced three children: Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca. The marriage ended in divorce in 1979 due to incompatibility and Errol's controlling nature. Following the split, Maye raised her three sons as a single mother, supporting them financially and emotionally while working multiple jobs. She has not remarried since her divorce from Errol. As of 2026, Maye is officially divorced and currently single. There are no public records of other romantic relationships following her divorce. Despite the end of her marriage, she maintains a close relationship with her ex-husband's legacy through her children and frequently appears alongside them in media interviews and business ventures. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Maye Musk's net worth at approximately $24 million. This valuation reflects her diverse income streams accumulated over a career spanning more than 50 years. Her wealth is derived primarily from decades of high-paying modeling contracts and runway work in major fashion capitals like New York, Paris, and Milan. Book royalties from her best-selling memoir A Woman Makes a Plan and her upcoming release TIMELESS contribute significantly to her earnings. Additionally, she commands high fees for corporate and university lectures on nutrition and resilience. Recent ventures include a lucrative endorsement deal with the Chinese footwear brand Xtep in 2026. Real estate investments in the US, Canada, and South Africa further bolster her financial portfolio. The iFANN Editorial Team's analysis of her earnings, ventures, and assets points to roughly $24 million as of 2026. [edit]