In the world of celebrity families, few matriarchs have carved out a legacy as enduring and multifaceted as Maye Musk.

While her son, Elon Musk, is a household name synonymous with innovation and controversy, Maye’s journey is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the quiet power of maternal influence.

Recently, Maye Musk broke her silence on her relationship with Elon and offered rare insights into his personality, upbringing, and even his burgeoning ties with political figures like Donald Trump.

Her revelations have captivated audiences worldwide, shining a new light on the ever-elusive tech billionaire and the remarkable woman who raised him.

Maye Musk’s story is not defined solely by her status as the mother of one of the world’s most famous entrepreneurs.

Born Maye Haldeman in Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1948, she was the daughter of adventurous parents who sparked her lifelong curiosity and tenacity.

The family’s move to South Africa in the early 1950s, and their legendary expeditions searching for the lost city of the Kalahari, instilled in Maye an unshakeable spirit of exploration and adaptability.

Her father, Dr. Joshua Norman Haldeman, was an amateur archaeologist and pilot, and her mother, a keen dressmaker, encouraged Maye’s early interest in fashion.

“I started modeling when I was 15 after my mom’s best friend gave me a free modeling course,” Maye recalled in a 2016 interview.

By 21, she was a finalist in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant, all while completing a Bachelor of Science in dietetics.

But Maye’s life was far from a fairytale.

In 1970, she married Errol Musk, an engineer, and within three years became a mother to Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca.

The marriage, however, was marred by abuse.

In her candid memoir, “A Woman Makes a Plan: Advice for a Lifetime of Adventure, Beauty, and Success,” Maye described Errol as violent and controlling, recounting harrowing incidents that forced her to flee with her children.

By 31, she was a single mother, juggling the demands of raising three children with running a home-based dietitian practice and part-time modeling jobs.

Financial hardship was a constant companion.

“We’d buy secondhand clothes, couldn’t afford to go out to eat.

I fed them peanut butter sandwiches.

My kids loved it—they didn’t know they were deprived,” she wrote.

Custody battles with Errol were protracted and exhausting, but Maye’s determination never wavered.

Her career, too, was a journey of self-discovery and defiance of societal expectations.

After gaining weight in her early 30s, she became a plus-size model in South Africa—a difficult identity for a dietitian to embrace.

But true to form, Maye reversed course, lost 40 pounds, and returned to a size six within a year.

Her modeling career flourished, and she broke barriers as the only plus-size model in South Africa in the 1970s.

The Musk family’s fortunes changed with Elon’s decision to pursue his education in Canada, Maye’s birthplace.

She followed him with her daughter Tosca, and by 1989, all her children had reunited in Canada.

Maye, then 41, rebuilt her career from scratch, balancing her roles as a mother, dietitian, and model.

Her journey took her to San Francisco, Manhattan, and eventually Los Angeles, where she supported Tosca with her newborn twins.

Maye’s modeling career reached new heights in her 60s and 70s.

She stopped coloring her hair, embracing her natural gray, and became a symbol of ageless beauty.

Her campaigns graced magazine covers, Times Square billboards, and international advertising for brands like Revlon and Special K.

She appeared in Beyoncé’s music video “Haunted,” posed nude for Time Magazine at 62, and, at 74, became the oldest model to feature in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition.

Maye’s influence, however, extends far beyond the runway.

In recent years, she has become a global ambassador, especially in China, where her memoir, published in Chinese, became a bestseller.

Chinese audiences admire her resilience, elegance, and wisdom, viewing her as a role model for women and a symbol of strong parenting.

Her presence at high-profile events, brand endorsements, and active engagement on Chinese social media have made her a reigning celebrity in the region.

Bloomberg and The Guardian have both reported on Maye’s unique appeal in China, where she is seen as a “secret weapon” for Elon Musk’s business ambitions.

Tesla, after all, sells more cars in China than anywhere else except the U.S.

, and Maye’s positive messaging about China’s infrastructure and culture—“China is so advanced in roads, tunnels, buildings, infrastructure, and ports.

Always impressed when I visit,” she tweeted—has only strengthened her standing.

Maye’s journey is emblematic of the “silver influencer” trend in China, where older individuals who defy age stereotypes and achieve late-life success are celebrated.

Her message of empowerment, self-reinvention, and positive aging resonates deeply, especially among women navigating their own paths in a rapidly changing society.

But perhaps the most compelling aspect of Maye Musk’s recent public statements is her candid reflection on raising her children—and especially Elon.

For decades, Maye kept her thoughts about her famous son largely private.

Now, as she opens up, the world is getting a rare glimpse into the formative years of one of the world’s most enigmatic figures.

“At 31, I was a single mother with three children, and my priority was to take care of them,” Maye shared.

She never felt guilty about working full-time, nor did her mother before her.

“I worked to keep a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs, and basic clothes on our backs.

My children had to be responsible for themselves and considerate of my work.”

From a young age, Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca helped with Maye’s nutrition business.

Tosca typed letters to doctors, Kimbal assisted with chores, and Elon, unsurprisingly, was the tech whiz, explaining the word processor’s functions to his mother.

Maye’s parenting philosophy was rooted in independence, responsibility, and kindness.

She never checked her children’s homework or dictated their academic choices; instead, she let them pursue their interests and supported their decisions.

“My oldest child, Elon, is making electric cars to save the environment and launching rockets.

Kimbal opened farm-to-table restaurants and teaches children across the country to build gardens in underserved schools.

Tosca runs her own entertainment company, producing and directing romance films,” Maye said with pride.

“They all have different interests, just like my siblings and me.”

Maye’s recollections of Elon’s childhood are particularly revealing.

“We called Elon the encyclopedia because he had read the Encyclopedia Britannica and remembered everything,” she said.

“He got his first computer at 12, learned to use it, and wrote a computer game, Blaster, which was published when he was 13.”

Maye could not have predicted her children’s future successes, but she now sees the roots of their passions in their early years.

The Musk children’s upbringing, marked by frugality and hard work, shaped their resilience.

“When they went to university, they lived in poor conditions—mattress on the floor, six housemates, or a dilapidated house—but they were fine with that.

If your children aren’t used to luxuries, they survive well.

You don’t need to spoil them,” Maye advised.

Maye’s approach to parenting has become a blueprint for nurturing successful, independent adults.

She attributes her children’s achievements to their early responsibility and her unwavering support for their interests.

Her story is a powerful reminder that success is often forged in adversity and that the greatest gift a parent can give is the freedom to pursue one’s passions.

In a stunning turn, Maye Musk recently made headlines for her comments about Elon’s growing relationship with president-elect Donald Trump.

Speaking to Fox Business, Maye revealed that Elon and Trump have developed a strong rapport, particularly as they spend more time together ahead of Trump’s inauguration.

“They do get along well,” Maye said.

“I think Trump just likes someone he can completely trust, who doesn’t have any alternative motives.”

She recounted a special Thanksgiving moment where Elon bonded with Trump’s youngest son, Barron, over their shared interest in space exploration.

“At the Thanksgiving dinner, Barron and Elon were talking about planets—why Mars is the best place to start a new civilization.

I was very impressed with him too,” Maye recalled.

Maye praised Elon’s intentions to contribute positively to America’s future, highlighting his dedication to innovation and progress.

She expressed optimism about Trump’s leadership, saying, “I think Trump just wants everything to be honest and open so that you know where your tax dollars are going.

He’s not going to be mean to people.

I think we’re all going to be happier.”

Elon Musk’s increasing political engagement, including his appointment as co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency and appearances alongside Trump at key events, has fueled speculation about their collaboration.

Photos of Musk and Trump together at Mar-a-Lago, SpaceX launches, and even UFC matches have circulated widely, symbolizing the growing visibility of their partnership.

Maye herself has developed a warm relationship with the Trump family.

“I’ve met Melania.

I’m looking forward to spending more time with her too.

Everyone is delightful, kind, sweet, generous, interesting, and soft-spoken,” Maye shared.

Her comments provide a rare glimpse into the personal dynamics shaping the intersection of business, politics, and family at the highest levels.

As Elon Musk steps into an increasingly public political role, Maye’s support and perspective offer valuable context for understanding his motivations and values.

Maye Musk’s journey—from a young model in South Africa to a global ambassador, author, and mother of three extraordinary children—is a testament to the power of resilience, reinvention, and unconditional love.

Her recent revelations about Elon, her family, and her views on the world have resonated with audiences across continents, inspiring admiration and reflection.

In an era defined by rapid change and uncertainty, Maye Musk stands as a beacon of strength and adaptability.

Her story reminds us that the path to greatness is rarely linear, and that behind every icon is a story of struggle, sacrifice, and unwavering belief.

As Maye herself summed up, “I was famous before Elon became famous.”

Today, her legacy is secure—not only as the matriarch of a remarkable family but as a trailblazer in her own right, inspiring generations to come.