Maye Musk
Maye Musk (née Haldeman; born April 19, 1948) is a Canadian-born model, registered dietitian, and author recognized for her enduring careers in fashion and nutrition, as well as for being the mother of Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX.[1][2] Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Musk relocated with her family to Pretoria, South Africa, at a young age, where she began modeling as a teenager. She was a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant in 1969, and later earned a Bachelor of Science in dietetics from the University of Pretoria.[3][1][2] She married Errol Musk in 1970, with whom she had three children—Elon in 1971, Kimbal in 1972, and Tosca in 1974.[4] Following her divorce in 1979, Maye Musk confronted severe financial difficulties as a single mother of three in South Africa.[5] She raised them as a single mother across Canada, South Africa, and the United States.[1][6] Maye sustained a modeling career spanning over 50 years, working in nine countries and gaining widespread acclaim in her later decades, including campaigns for CoverGirl starting at age 69 and features in outlets like Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.[7] Alongside this, she built a nutrition practice from age 21, obtaining two master's degrees—one in dietetics and one in nutritional science—operating her own clinics, and authoring books such as the international bestseller A Woman Makes a Plan: Advice for a Lifetime of Adventure, Beauty, and Success.[2][8] Her resilience in balancing single parenthood with professional pursuits across continents underscores her self-reliant path, free from reliance on her children's later successes.[9]