“I Am Just Getting Started”: Maye Musk on Reinvention, Modeling, Motherhood, and Raising Her “Genius Boy” Elon
Maye Musk’s life story is not simply the story of being the mother of Elon Musk. Long before her son became one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the world, Maye had already built a remarkable journey of her own — one shaped by adventure, personal struggles, resilience, and constant reinvention.
At an age when many people are expected to slow down, Maye Musk was doing the opposite. In her late 60s, she was walking international runways, appearing in major fashion campaigns, and proving that success does not have an expiration date. Her career resurgence challenged long-standing ideas about beauty and aging, turning her into a global symbol of confidence and perseverance.
Speaking about her memoir A Woman Makes a Plan, Maye reflected on the experiences that shaped her life — from growing up in an adventurous family in South Africa to raising three successful children while overcoming difficult personal challenges.
For Maye, staying active and successful later in life comes down to discipline, health, and taking care of herself. As a model, dietitian, author, and entrepreneur, she has learned how important it is to maintain energy and confidence.
She has often emphasized that women are capable of building multiple careers and pursuing different dreams at different stages of life. Her approach is simple: eat well, stay healthy, protect yourself from harmful habits, and continue moving forward.
Her philosophy reflects her own experience. Even after decades in the fashion industry, Maye reached some of the biggest milestones of her career later in life. Instead of seeing age as a limitation, she viewed it as another chapter.
A Childhood Filled With Adventure
Maye Musk’s adventurous personality began during childhood. Born in Canada and raised largely in South Africa, she grew up in a family that valued exploration and independence.
Her parents moved from Canada to South Africa and developed a passion for discovering new places. During her childhood, Maye traveled across the Kalahari Desert with her family in a small plane, using maps and a compass to explore the landscape.
While many children spent their holidays in more traditional ways, Maye experienced something completely different. Her childhood involved uncertainty, discovery, and challenges that taught her how to adapt.
She has described her family philosophy as “live dangerously — carefully,” a mindset that encouraged curiosity while still respecting preparation and responsibility.
Those early experiences shaped the person she became. The ability to handle uncertainty, solve problems, and remain calm in difficult situations would later become essential when she faced major challenges as an adult.
Raising Three Successful Children as a Single Mother
Perhaps the most recognized part of Maye Musk’s story is her role as a mother.
Her three children — Elon Musk, Kimbal Musk, and Tosca Musk — each developed successful careers in very different fields. Elon became a technology entrepreneur known for Tesla, SpaceX, and artificial intelligence. Kimbal became an entrepreneur focused on food and sustainability. Tosca built a career in film and entertainment.
But behind their achievements was a mother who had to overcome significant obstacles while raising them.
Maye has spoken openly about the importance of including her struggles in her memoir. Initially, she hesitated to share the difficult parts of her life because she was used to staying positive and moving forward without complaining.
However, her children encouraged her to tell the full story because they believed others could learn from what she had experienced.
Her editor also encouraged her to keep those chapters, explaining that many people would relate to her challenges.
The result was a more honest story — not just one about success, but about survival and rebuilding.
Turning Hardship Into Strength
Maye has shared that during difficult periods of her life, she often kept her struggles private. Even close family members did not always know what she was going through because she tried to maintain a positive attitude.
However, she later recognized that asking for help is not a weakness. Her message changed from silently enduring hardship to encouraging people to speak up when they need support.
“If you are in a bad situation, you just have to get out,” has been one of the strongest lessons she has shared from her own experience.
For Maye, resilience does not mean pretending everything is perfect. It means recognizing when change is necessary and having the courage to create a better future.
A Mother Watching Her “Genius Boy” Change the World
Maye has often spoken about Elon Musk’s childhood and the qualities she noticed early on. She described him as a curious and intelligent child who saw the world differently from others.
While she could not have predicted the scale of his future achievements, she recognized his unusual imagination and determination.
Today, watching Elon pursue ideas like electric vehicles, space exploration, and Mars missions, Maye continues to support his ambitions while maintaining her own identity.
She is proud of her son, but she is also proud of the life she built independently.
Still Writing Her Own Story
At more than 70 years old, Maye Musk continues to work, travel, model, and inspire audiences around the world.
Her message is not only about beauty or success. It is about the ability to begin again.
From a challenging personal period to becoming a global fashion figure, Maye’s journey shows that life does not follow a single timeline. Success can arrive early, late, or unexpectedly.
Her statement, “I am just getting started,” captures the mindset that has defined her entire life.
For Maye Musk, the future is still full of possibilities — whether that means another fashion campaign, another book, another adventure, or simply continuing to inspire people with the lessons she has learned along the way.
