Maye Musk, mother of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, shared personal stories about raising her children and navigating life’s ups and downs in her memoir, A Woman Makes a Plan: Advice for a Lifetime of Adventure, Beauty, and Success.
One story stands out: Elon wrote software for a computer game at just 12 years old. “If your kids show interest in something, encourage them,” Maye advises in her book. She moved her family from South Africa to Canada so Elon could pursue studies in physics and business.
When Elon was 17, he had to retake an IT proficiency test because his score was so high the examiner thought there was a mistake. Maye raised her three children—Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca—as a single mother. The younger two helped her with office work, while Elon helped her understand word processing software. She believes children should be raised to be independent, hardworking, and resilient.
Now 72, Maye reflects on life with optimism and gratitude. “I don’t worry about getting old,” she writes. “I’m too busy enjoying life.” She encourages readers to stay close to family, friends, and colleagues, and to find joy in small things. Building meaningful relationships, showing kindness, and truly listening are key to a fulfilling life, she says.
In her book, Maye also speaks directly to women, encouraging them to embrace their strengths and forge their own paths. She takes pride in her silver hair and laugh lines, writing in one chapter titled Beauty: “I’ve never feared aging. I’m just happy to be healthy.” In an interview with The Guardian, she noted, “Intelligence is the most attractive trait in a woman,” emphasizing that true beauty comes from wisdom and a love for life.
Maye opens up for the first time about the pain of an abusive marriage. She divorced at 31 and became a single mom, juggling multiple jobs to provide for her family. She faced rejection, wandered from city to city looking for work, and often felt hopeless. After a failed relationship left her emotionally drained, she spent six months feeling lost. But over time, she healed through reading, meditation, and building healthy relationships.
Although she hasn’t found a long-term romantic partner since, Maye lives by the philosophy: “You can be happy in love, and you can also be happy alone.” She now cherishes the calm moments in her life and the large, close-knit family of over 40 children, grandchildren, and relatives who always come together for special occasions. “When we care for each other,” she writes, “good things come back to us.”
At age 69, Maye made history as the oldest model to appear on the cover of CoverGirl magazine. She’s worked in fashion for over four decades, building her name through persistence and seizing every opportunity—starting with being crowned prom queen in college. Her father’s motto stuck with her: “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
Born in 1948, Maye is also a certified dietitian and wellness expert. She published her first health guide, Feel Fantastic: Maye Musk’s Good Health Clinic, in 1996. With over 400,000 followers on social media, she continues to share advice on life and wellness. Reflecting on her journey, she writes, “I once accepted misfortune as fate—but luckily, I found my way back to joy. That’s why I want to share my story—to help others who feel lost.”
