Maye Musk

Maye Musk. She is a Canadian-South African model and dietitian renowned for her pioneering career spanning over five decades and for being the mother of prominent entrepreneurs Elon Musk, Kimbal Musk, and Tosca Musk. Her work has appeared on the covers of major magazines including a *Time* health edition, and she has been a brand ambassador for global companies like CoverGirl and Revlon. Beyond modeling, she is a certified professional nutritionist who has authored books and given international lectures on health and wellness.

Early life and education

Maye Haldeman was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and spent her early childhood in the neighboring city of Saskatoon. Her parents, Joshua Haldeman and Wyn Haldeman, were adventurous aviators who famously flew their single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft from Africa to Australia. In 1950, the family relocated to Pretoria, South Africa, where she was raised. She began modeling at the age of fifteen, securing early work for a *Vogue* fashion spread. Musk pursued higher education at the University of Pretoria, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics and later completed a Master of Science degree in nutritional science. She became a registered dietitian in South Africa and subsequently obtained certifications in Canada and the United States.

Modeling career

Maye Musk's modeling career began in South Africa during the late 1960s. After moving to Toronto, Canada in 1989, she quickly signed with the prestigious Elite Model Management agency in that city. Her career experienced a significant resurgence in her later years, breaking age barriers in the fashion industry. She has been featured in high-profile advertising campaigns for Target, Dell, and Virgin America. Musk has graced the covers of international editions of magazines such as *Elle*, Harper's Bazaar, and *Vogue*, including a notable Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue feature in her seventies. She has also walked runways at major events like New York Fashion Week for designers including Dolce & Gabbana.

Business ventures and advocacy

Alongside modeling, Musk established a parallel professional practice as a consulting dietitian. She founded her own nutrition counseling business, providing services to corporate clients and private individuals for over four decades. She is the author of the book *Feel Fantastic* and has been a sought-after speaker on health topics, delivering talks at institutions like the Stanford University Medical School and for organizations such as the NASA Ames Research Center. A strong advocate for healthy aging and women's empowerment, she frequently partners with global brands and appears at events like the Forbes Women's Summit. Musk also serves on the advisory board of the Women in Engineering program at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

Personal life

In 1970, she married South African electromechanical engineer Errol Musk. The couple had three children: Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX and Tesla; Kimbal Musk, a restaurateur and co-founder of The Kitchen Restaurant Group; and Tosca Musk, a film director and founder of the streaming service Passionflix. The family lived in Pretoria and later Johannesburg before divorcing in 1979. Maye Musk raised her children as a single mother, supporting the family through her modeling and dietetics work. She has lived in multiple cities including Toronto, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, and holds citizenship in Canada, South Africa, and the United States.

Awards and recognition

Maye Musk has received numerous accolades for her contributions to fashion and health. In 2011, she won the prestigious CoverGirl contract at age sixty-three. She was named one of *People* magazine's "25 Women Changing the World" and has been listed among the "50 Over 50" by Forbes. The *Irish America* magazine included her in their "Healthcare & Life Sciences 50" list. In 2020, she received the Maggie Award for her media excellence in the health field and was honored with a Lucie Award for achievement in portrait photography. Her life and career have been profiled by major media outlets including the BBC, The New York Times, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Category:Canadian models Category:Canadian dietitians Category:1948 births Category:Living people