Maye Musk, a renowned supermodel and mother of billionaire Elon Musk, has captured global attention not only for her iconic fashion presence but also for her extraordinary resilience in overcoming hardships. Recently, Maye graced the cover of  Tatler China’s January issue  , showcasing her timeless elegance at the age of 76. Wearing a stunning red silk caped dress paired with a feathered hat, Maye once again proved that age is no barrier to success.

Despite being recognized as a supermodel relatively late in life, Maye has been modeling since the age of 15. Her career spans decades, with appearances in iconic publications such as  Vogue  and  Time  . She has also starred in Beyoncé’s music video and served as a representative for makeup brand Revlon. In addition to her modeling career, Maye is a certified nutrition expert, having written her first lifestyle guide,  Feel Fantastic: Maye Musk’s Good Health Clinic, in 1996. Through her personal social media pages, she shares life advice and motivational messages with her fans.

However, the road to success for Maye Musk was anything but easy. Her life has been marked by struggles and resilience, especially during the years following her divorce from Erroll Musk in 1979. Married in 1970, the couple had three children: Elon Musk, Kimbal Musk, and Tosca Musk. In a 2019 interview with  Harper’s Bazaar  , both Maye and Elon Musk accused Erroll of emotional abuse. “Everyone I knew called him a ‘pig’ because he treated me so badly in public. He was too afraid to admit that he had made a mistake. He called me stupid, ugly, boring,” Maye revealed. According to Maye and Elon, Erroll, despite being wealthy, was stingy and often refused to buy clothes for his children.

Following her divorce, Maye and her children faced a life of hardship. They moved from South Africa to Toronto, Canada, where Maye described the next 15 years as a period of survival. “For a long time after the divorce, I felt sick to my stomach. I was so scared that I wouldn’t be able to support my children. Those were tough years. I was alone with three small children and had no income,” she told  Vogue  . Maye worked five jobs simultaneously to make ends meet, even accepting a position in the research department at the University of Toronto to ensure her children could take advantage of free tuition.

His sacrifices were profound. With his first paycheck, he bought a rug for his unfurnished apartment and later bought a computer for Elon, giving him the tools to pursue his interests in technology. “The next thing I bought was a computer for Elon, so he could sit on the rug and use it,” he recalled.

Maye’s parenting style was unconventional, but it had a profound impact. In a 2019 interview with  CNBC , she shared her philosophy of teaching her children to be independent, kind, and respectful. She never forced them to study, checked their homework, or pressured them to succeed. Instead, she encouraged their natural talents and interests. Elon, for example, excelled in subjects he was passionate about and displayed a tireless work ethic from an early age.

Despite their financial struggles, Elon and his siblings found creative ways to express their gratitude. Since they couldn’t afford traditional birthday gifts, they once gifted Maye a toy house and a small model car, promising to buy her the real versions in the future. “That toy house means a lot to me,” Maye said, reflecting on the heartfelt gesture.

In recent years, Maye Musk has continued to make headlines, not only for her professional achievements but also for her advocacy work. She has publicly defended Tesla’s contributions to the electric vehicle industry and criticized President Biden’s administration for overlooking her impact. However, Maye remains grounded and rejects the notion of a fairytale life. She attributes her perseverance to her upbringing and highlights her 94-year-old mother’s dedication to learning new skills, such as mastering a Mac computer for graphic design. “The word ‘retirement’ is not in my vocabulary,” she said in an interview with  Vogue  .

Maye Musk’s journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. From enduring years of hardship to becoming a global icon, she embodies resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to growth. Her story inspires millions of people and reminds us that it’s never too late to pursue our passions and overcome adversity.