Maye Musk’s Rules of Life : A Saga of Success of an Entrepreneur Turned Model
In the wake of Trump’s election victory in the United States this year, the next name we hear is Elon Musk, who is currently Trump’s advisor. However, this article focuses on a person who inspires both this great entrepreneur and the entire world.
She took on five jobs at a time to support her family and make ends meet. As a single mother, she raised three children—each of whom has gone on to become well-known. Yes, I’m talking about Maye Musk, the mother of Elon Musk. But Maye isn’t known to the world just because of her children’s success—she made a name for herself through her own accomplishments as a model, dietitian, and nutritionist.
Born in Canada in 1945 as one of five children to entrepreneurial parents, Maye began working at a very young age. At just eight years old, she helped her parents with their business by preparing monthly newsletters and handling printing-related tasks. During high school, she also worked as a receptionist while continuing her studies. In 1969, she was a finalist in the Miss South Africa competition.
She has appeared in Revlon advertisements, Beyoncé’s music videos, and even on Special K cereal boxes in 1996. Her modeling career continues to thrive, especially at a time when brands are seeking authentic representations of women of all ages. At 75, she continues to inspire people around the world, having spent over 50 years modeling for major brands like Revlon, Colgate, Special K, and many others.
Maye Musk is a living example of grace, success, and timeless beauty. Her life story reflects early struggles, the challenges of being a single parent, and the uncertainties that come with aging. Her message to women over 40 is clear: this is not the time to slow down—it’s the time to move forward with even more energy and enthusiasm.
Maye’s five rules of life offer a transformative approach for anyone seeking success. She guides individuals through these key principles as part of her coaching.
- “Love yourself, wholly and unconditionally”: Through her sessions, she encourages people to pause and reflect on themselves. This helps them become more aware of their unique talents and strengths. The weaknesses that once caused stress or self-doubt begin to feel more like opportunities to grow and learn, rather than something to be afraid of.
- “Develop unbreakable resilience and grit”: Maye coaches people to face challenges and setbacks directly, instead of running from them. She believes that each obstacle is a chance to grow stronger and learn something new.
- “Rewire your thinking patterns”: Maye helps people shift their mindset so that confidence, positivity, and a sense of purpose become their natural way of thinking. This change becomes so strong that it even inspires the people around them.
- “Reclaim your confidence and personal power”: She gives people the chance to rebuild their confidence by looking at their past in a new way and imagining all the possibilities that can open up once they truly believe in their own potential.
- “Deepen your sacred relationships & Age with grace and confidence”: Maye’s life shows that it’s possible to balance meaningful relationships with a strong sense of purpose and career goals. It’s about staying connected to what truly matters—while still working toward the impact you want to make. Along the way, one can learn how to be more present and supportive as a parent, friend, partner, and family member without losing sight of their bigger dreams.
Maye Musk’s journey shows the strength of tenacity and the incredible heights one can reach with grit and dedication. Her greatest achievements occurred in her latter years, which goes against the idea that becoming older means slowing down and settling for less. And regardless of the current age, we will be encouraged to adopt a fresh outlook on aging, one that frees and gives the ability to develop and explore for the rest of the life, and makes each year better than the one before. Even today, as the world’s oldest supermodel, she continues to serve and inspire through her contributions. She reminds us that life doesn’t slow down after 40—it’s the perfect time to step forward with more energy and purpose. If she can keep breaking boundaries at 75, what’s stopping you from chasing your dreams—no matter where you are in life?
-Manju Malathy is an Assistant Professor with 12 years of experience in the higher education sector. She is a Zone Trainer at Junior Chamber International India Zone 20 and a social activist.
