Maye Musk is a global icon whose life story redefines what is possible for women at every age. A renowned model, bestselling author, and respected dietitian with two master’s degrees in nutrition, Maye has built a career—and a legacy—on perseverance, reinvention, and unwavering self-belief. Her journey began in South Africa, where she was raised in an adventurous family that explored uncharted territories.
As a single mother, Maye reinvented her life while raising three extraordinary children, each now a visionary entrepreneur. Her daughter, Tosca Musk, is the founder and CEO of Passionflix, a groundbreaking streaming platform dedicated to female-led romance films that celebrate strong, confident women. Her son, Kimbal Musk has a drone company and gives magnificent shows around the world, such as the Vatican City, Abu Dhabi and New York. He is a celebrated chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur whose mission focuses on real food, community, and sustainable agriculture. And her older son, Elon Musk is widely recognized as a genius engineer who starts companies that make the world a better place.
For over five decades, Maye has graced the runways and campaigns of international fashion houses, becoming one of the most recognizable—and groundbreaking—faces in modeling. She shattered age-related stereotypes simply by continuing to say yes to opportunities, evolving from catalog work to global beauty campaigns and luxury brand partnerships. Her silver hair became a symbol of timeless elegance, proving that relevance has no age limit. She has graced more magazine covers than most models do in a lifetime, becoming a timeless symbol of beauty, reinvention, and global influence
Beyond modeling, Maye has cultivated a thriving career as a nutritionist, speaker, and author. Her book, A Woman Makes A Plan, shares her hard-won wisdom on overcoming hardship, navigating single motherhood, and designing a life anchored in courage and determination. She remains a passionate advocate for women charting their own paths and embracing reinvention at any stage.
Today, Maye Musk is celebrated not only for her magnetic presence, but for her depth, warmth, and undeniable strength. She continues to travel the world, support emerging designers, champion female-driven storytelling through her daughter’s platform PassionFlix, and inspire millions with her message: it is never too late to begin again and to thrive.
The Reinvention of a Lifetime: Maye Musk on Courage, Legacy & Becoming Limitless at Every Age
In a world that often insists women must follow a linear path, Maye Musk has spent her life proving that reinvention has no expiration date. Model, nutritionist, author, mother—and now global icon—Maye stands as a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the quiet power of a woman who refuses to give up on herself.
Her journey is not defined by perfection, but by persistence. Looking back on the many times she had to start over—as a single mother, an entrepreneur, and as a model breaking new ground later in life—Maye says she simply did what she had to do.
“In the past, I had no choice about starting over,” she shares with refreshing honesty. “I would be in a bad situation and needed to get out of it.”
From raising three children alone without financial support to building a thriving nutrition practice, she structured her life around her values—showing up for her family while working tirelessly to build a future. Modeling, she admits, wasn’t glamorous then. She took whatever jobs came—catalogs, grandmother roles, pharmaceutical ads—never imagining she would one day become a global powerhouse. “Who knew?” she laughs.
A Childhood in South Africa, and the Birth of Independence
Maye’s understanding of womanhood was forged through challenge. Growing up in South Africa and later navigating an abusive marriage, she learned early the cost of staying somewhere her soul did not belong.
“Being a single mother was still so much nicer than being in an abusive marriage,” she says. “I chose no luxuries and a happy home.”
That decision became the foundation of a legacy built not through convenience, but through courage.
Defying Age, Stereotypes, and Limitation
For every woman who feels like she’s “too late,” Maye’s life is the answer.
“Any woman can start something new at any age,” she insists.
Her advice is both practical and empowering: work hard, focus on what you enjoy, and use social media to show your relevance and talent.
Despite working in industries notoriously focused on youth, Maye’s confidence remained intact because she always had a second anchor—her work as a dietitian. Modeling became a surprising evolution rather than the center of her worth.
“I never felt insecure about being an older model,” she says. “I was simply happy I continued to receive bookings.”
The Mother Who Led by Example
Maye raised three world-changing children not by instruction, but by embodiment.
“My children used to say I worked all the time,” she reflects, though she never missed dinner unless modeling or speaking took her away. She believes in supporting a child’s unique passion—not steering them toward society’s expectations.
“Don’t try to convince your children to follow your wishes,” she advises. “Support what they truly want to do.”
Her children’s success, she says with pride, comes from their passion and work ethic.
“Maybe even to Mars,” she jokes.
Ambition, Motherhood & Seasons of Life
Maye’s philosophy on ambition is grace-filled and real.
“You go through different stages in your life,” she says. When her children were young, they were her priority. Ambition grew alongside their independence—proof that dreams can be patient when they need to be.
The Mindset That Carried Her Through Hardship
Her inner dialogue during difficult times was simple: make a plan. “If one plan didn’t work out, you make another plan,” she writes in A Woman Makes A Plan. But today she encourages women to do what she often didn’t—share their struggles with positive, enthusiastic friends.
The Misunderstood Chapters, Revealed
Many assume her elegance came effortlessly. Few know she has been obese twice in her life, reaching over 200 pounds during periods of extreme stress—even as a dietitian. Her transparency is powerful: “I now have it under control. This is important for good health.” It’s a reminder that even experts are human.
Beauty, Redefined
After decades in fashion, Maye’s definition of beauty is timeless: “Someone who is doing their best to look good, and has a lovely personality.” Kindness, she believes, is the true foundation of allure.
Reclaiming Her Voice—Even When Others Overlooked It
Despite her poise, Maye was not always heard. “Many times, when I went to see doctors to introduce my practice, they ignored me completely,” she recalls. Her voice alone didn’t grant her authority; consistency and results did.
Relevance vs. Resonance
In an age of constant reinvention, Maye keeps her approach beautifully simple: “I just do my best to work hard, and let people know of my success through social media.” Her resonance comes from authenticity, not performance.
Logic, Intuition & The Power of Trying Again
Maye doesn’t romanticize intuition—she values action.
“I really just try everything,” she says. Sometimes she fails, sometimes she succeeds, but she always creates a new plan.
This persistent optimism is her quiet superpower.
The Journey Still Unfolding
With a career spanning continents and decades, Maye’s curiosity is far from satisfied.
She dreams of seeing more countries, learning more histories, and wearing designs from local fashion creators during global speaking engagements. The world continues to inspire her.
A Legacy of Strength, Storytelling & Empowered Women
When asked what legacy she’s most proud of, she immediately thinks of her daughter, founder of PassionFlix—an innovation born from a desire to portray strong female leads rather than women who are violated or abused. “These romance movies are wonderful to watch,” Maye says, glowing. Her legacy is a lineage of women creating spaces where women thrive.
A Conversation Across Time: Maye Then & Now
If the 25-year-old Maye could sit across from her today, the exchange would be poignant.
“I would say: stop forgiving people who are mean to others. They will soon be mean to you.”
It is a lesson forged in pain, one she hopes younger women take to heart.
Too much kindness, she says, cost her deeply. Today she chooses peace and self-respect.
Maye Musk Is Proof: A Woman’s Power Only Grows With Time
Her story is one of courage without theatrics, ambition without ego, beauty without pretense.
Maye Musk embodies the GOSS woman—graceful, intelligent, relevant, and limitless. She is a reminder to every woman reading:
It is never too late to begin. Never too late to rise. Never too late to reinvent the story of your life.
All Photography @LindyLinPhoto
GossGlam by @Rozalirai
