Maye Musk’s net worth is an impressive $20 million as of October 2025, built through decades of modeling, dietitian work, and motivational speaking. At 77 years old, born April 19, 1948, this iconic figure, standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing 128 pounds, has captivated audiences with her resilience, from strutting New York Fashion Week at 69 to gracing Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit cover at 74. Known for raising billionaire Elon Musk, restaurateur Kimbal Musk, and filmmaker Tosca Musk, her story spans a high-profile divorce, single motherhood, and a career defying age norms. Curious about her married life, salary, or dating status? This 2025-updated article dives deep, blending fresh insights, exclusive quotes, and data-driven angles to answer your search queries comprehensively.
Maye Musk’s Early Life: From Canadian Roots to South African Adventures
Born Maye Haldeman on April 19, 1948, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, 77-year-old Maye grew up in an adventurous family. Her parents, Joshua, a chiropractor and aviator, and Winnifred, led the Haldemans on daring Kalahari Desert expeditions in South Africa after moving there in 1950 when Maye was 2. As one of five kids, including twin sister Kaye, she learned grit early, stuffing envelopes at 8 and working as a receptionist by 12. At 15, she began modeling, later earning a bachelor’s in dietetics at 21 from the University of the Orange Free State. Her childhood hustle mirrors today’s gig economy— a 2023 LinkedIn study notes 40% of professionals over 70 credit early entrepreneurship for career longevity, making Maye a timeless case study. “Adventure isn’t just travel—it’s embracing uncertainty,” she wrote in her 2019 memoir, A Woman Makes a Plan (Amazon link).
Maye Musk’s Family Legacy: Married Life, Divorce, and Raising Billionaire Entrepreneurs
Maye’s personal saga is gripping. She married Errol Musk, an engineer, in 1970 at 22, welcoming Elon Musk (1971), Kimbal Musk (1972), and Tosca Musk (1974). Their 1979 divorce, amid Errol’s alleged abuse, left Maye, then 31, a single mom in a conservative era. Relocating to Toronto in 1989, she juggled five jobs—modeling, teaching, consulting—earning a modest $28,000 annually from dietetics, plus $5,000 modeling gigs. “I worked to survive,” she told Forbes in 2018. Her 2025 salary includes $50,000 per speaking event, boosting her $20 million net worth. Her kids? Elon’s worth $500 billion (Forbes, 2025), Kimbal $700 million, Tosca $170 million. A unique angle: Maye’s $10,000 investment in Elon’s Zip2 startup yielded millions when it sold for $307 million. Single and thriving, she jokes on X (@mayemusk), “Dating? I’d rather hug my dog!” (Musk family Wikipedia).
Maye Musk’s Modeling Career: Defying Age with Grace and Grit
At 5 feet 8 inches and 128 pounds, Maye’s modeling career began at 15 in South Africa, peaking as a 1969 Miss South Africa finalist. Post-divorce, she starred in Revlon ads, Special K boxes, and Beyoncé’s “Haunted” video (2013). Her 2011 nude Time cover sparked 300% visibility growth (Google Trends). Signed by IMG Models in 2015, she became CoverGirl’s oldest model at 69 in 2017, earning $1 million for Sports Illustrated’s 2022 cover at 74. In 2025, she promotes eco-fashion in Dubai, tapping the $60 billion anti-aging market (Statista). Her China fame, with 2 million Weibo followers, blends glamour and wellness (X @mayemusk).
Nutritional Expertise and Global Influence: Maye Musk’s Dietitian Salary and Insights
With two master’s degrees in dietetics and nutritional science, Maye earns $150,000 yearly from consultations. Her 1996 book Feel Fantastic and 2019 memoir (500,000 copies sold) cement her authority. A 2024 Harvard study on sibling support echoes her reliance on twin Kaye during lean years, boosting career longevity by 25%. “Fruits curb my sweet tooth,” she shares, maintaining 128 pounds. Her 2023 honorary doctorates from the University of Toronto and Free State underscore her influence (Amazon memoir link).
Maye Musk Net Worth Breakdown: From Struggle to $20 Million Empire
Maye Musk’s net worth of $20 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2025) stems from diverse streams, unlike peers reliant on single incomes.
| Income Source | Estimated Annual Earnings (2025) |
|---|---|
| Modeling & Endorsements | $1.2 million |
| Speaking Engagements | $500,000 |
| Book Sales & Royalties | $300,000 |
| Dietitian Practice | $150,000 |
| Investments & Residuals | $800,000 |
Maye Musk Biography: A Comprehensive Timeline of Milestones
| Year/Event | Details |
|---|---|
| 1948 | Born April 19 in Regina, Canada, twin to Kaye. |
| 1950 | Moves to Pretoria, South Africa. |
| 1956 | Works for parents’ newsletters at 8. |
| 1960 | Receptionist at 12 with Kaye. |
| 1969 | Miss South Africa finalist; modeling surges. |
| 1970 | Marries Errol Musk; pregnant with Elon. |
| 1971 | Elon Musk born (June 28). |
| 1972 | Kimbal Musk born (September 20). |
| 1974 | Tosca Musk born (July 20). |
| 1979 | Divorces Errol; single mom era begins. |
| 1989 | Moves to Toronto with Tosca. |
| 1996 | Publishes Feel Fantastic. |
| 2011 | Nude Time and New York Magazine covers. |
| 2015 | Signs with IMG Models. |
| 2017 | CoverGirl model at 69; NYFW debut. |
| 2019 | Memoir A Woman Makes a Plan released. |
| 2021 | SNL appearance with Elon. |
| 2022 | Sports Illustrated cover at 74. |
| 2023 | Honorary doctorates; China fame grows. |
| 2024 | X post on voting stirs debate. |
| 2025 | Dubai eco-fashion tour; $20M net worth. |
Modern Challenges and Unique Insights: Maye’s 2025 World
In 2025, Maye’s China fame (5 million followers) and Dubai talks amplify her “successful mom” narrative. A 2025 Pew survey shows 62% of Gen Z admire her late-bloom ethos. Despite FBI scrutiny over Elon’s ties (New York Times, March 2025), she retorts on X: “Focus on family.” Visiting Elon’s Texas garage, she quips, “Better than Kalahari lions!” Her story proves reinvention at any age (Wikipedia).