“She was a beauty queen before the world knew her son would reach the stars.”

Social media is ablaze after Maye Musk — mother of billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk — revealed a jaw-dropping throwback to her past life as a Miss South Africa finalist. The photo, now viral, shows the elegant Maye, then known as Maye Haldeman, wearing a sparkling crown and a radiant smile on the cover of Power Boating magazine in 1976.

Most know her today as a stylish supermodel, author, and advocate for age-defying beauty, but few realized she once graced pageant stages as a contestant for one of South Africa’s most coveted titles.

“I didn’t win… I had gained 30 pounds and was under exam stress,” she tweeted honestly.

At the time, Maye was completing her final year at the University of Pretoria — struggling with Afrikaans while pursuing a BSC degree. Her vulnerability resonated with thousands online, many of whom praised her for breaking beauty stereotypes and openly discussing academic pressure and body image — even in the 70s.

Though she didn’t take home the Miss SA crown (that went to Linda Collett), Maye’s story — of ambition, migration, and reinvention — has captivated fans worldwide.

From Small Town Girl to Global Icon

Born in Canada and raised in Pretoria, Maye’s journey has taken her across continents. After marrying Errol Musk in 1970, she had three children: Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca. Following their divorce, she raised them as a single mother while continuing to model, study nutrition, and build a career — all before social media and glossy filters.

Now 76, living in New York, and still modeling for major campaigns, Maye Musk is proving that reinvention isn’t just possible — it’s powerful.

Fans Can’t Get Enough

“So THAT’S where Elon gets it from!”
“Maye Musk walked so supermodels could run.”
“A queen, then and now. Timeless beauty.”

Comments flooded X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, with fans expressing awe not just at her youthful looks, but at her resilience, humility, and quiet grace over the decades.

A Legacy Beyond Elon

While Elon Musk continues to dominate headlines for AI, Mars, and Tesla, Maye has carved out her own lane — blending fashion, wisdom, and strength. And now, with this rare peek into her 1970s pageant days, the world is seeing her in an entirely new light.

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