How Did Maye Musk Become A Covergirl Model At 69?

Picture this: It’s 2017, and I’m flipping through a magazine in a dentist’s waiting room (you know, the ones with the ancient Highlights and the smell of disinfectant). Suddenly, I see a face that looks familiar—but not in the usual “oh, that’s a model” way. It’s Maye Musk, silver-haired, sharp-jawed, and smiling like she’s on top of the world. She’s 69 years old, and she’s staring back at me as the new face of CoverGirl. I nearly choked on my free coffee.

Now, I’m not a beauty expert, but I know this: CoverGirl is that brand for fresh-faced teenagers and twenty-somethings. So when I saw Maye—a grandmother, a dietician, and someone older than my parents—I had to ask: How in the world did this happen? It’s a story that’s less about luck and more about being stubbornly, wonderfully yourself. Buckle up, because this is not your typical “discovered at the mall” tale.

The Long Game: From South Africa to the Spotlight

Maye Musk didn’t just wake up one day at 69 and decide to be a model. She’s been in the game since she was 15—yes, that’s over five decades of rejections, odd jobs, and terrible hair days. She modeled in South Africa, then Canada, then the U.S., all while raising three kids (one of whom is Elon, but we’ll get to that). The point? She never stopped. Most people quit when the “young and thin” doors slam shut. Maye just tried another door.

Here’s the ironic part: at 69, her age became her biggest asset. While other models were panicking over crow’s feet, Maye’s grey hair and natural wrinkles screamed “authenticity.” CoverGirl, a brand that once sold dewy skin to teens, realized that beauty doesn’t expire at 30. They wanted a woman who looked like real life, not a filtered app version. And Maye? She brought the receipts—decades of persistence, a PhD in nutrition, and zero Botox.

The “Elon” Factor (But Not How You Think)

Yes, Maye is Elon Musk’s mother. And sure, that opened some doors—but let’s be real: being related to a rocket-launching billionaire doesn’t automatically get you a cosmetics contract. If that were true, we’d all be staring at Jeff Bezos’ mom in lipstick ads. What actually happened is simpler: Maye had a distinct persona. She’s been a public speaker, a diet book author, and a social media personality for years. By the time CoverGirl called, she wasn’t a random grandma—she was a brand.

Fashion icon Maye Musk makes aging look good

Here’s where the irony kicks in: Maye once said she was told to “stop modeling” because her hair turned silver. She was in her 40s then. Fast-forward to 69, and CoverGirl is paying her to celebrate that exact hair color. Talk about a revenge story. And let’s not forget: she modeled for Time magazine and appeared in Beyoncé’s music video—all before CoverGirl. She didn’t need the gig; she chose it.

The Secret Sauce (Spoiler: It’s Not Botox)

So, what’s her magic trick? I’ll tell you, and it’s painfully simple: she never tried to look younger. Maye has been vocal about not dying her hair, not getting fillers, and not starving herself for the camera. In an industry obsessed with “agelessness,” she’s the one who said, “I’m 69, deal with it.” And CoverGirl loved that because—let’s be honest—the “perfect” 20-year-old is boring. Buyers are tired of photoshopped fantasies. They want a woman who’s had a real life: divorces, career struggles, midnight feedings, and all.

Elon Musk’s mum becomes Cover Girl aged 69

Also, she’s a dietician with a master’s degree. So when she talks about eating right, it’s not some celebrity fad. Her skin doesn’t glow from “cleanse juice”; it glows from decades of healthy food and not smoking. Take that, influencer.

The Lesson: Interrupted by a Side Comment

I can already hear you thinking: “Okay, but I’m not a supermodel’s mom. I’m just trying to get through Thursday.” Fair point. But here’s what Maye’s story really says: You don’t have to start over at 69; you just have to keep showing up. She didn’t reinvent herself—she evolved the same person she was at 15, just with better cheekbones and a lot more confidence. And honestly, wouldn’t you rather be the 69-year-old who’s still relevant than the 25-year-old who peaked in a single ads?

69-летняя мать Илона Маска стала лицом CoverGirl | Posta-Magazine

One more thing: Maye wears CoverGirl’s foundation and still eats cheeseburgers. She posted a photo of herself with a burger on Instagram after the campaign dropped. I mean, iconic. So next time you avoid the mirror because of a fine line or a gray hair, just remember: Maye Musk turned those into a paycheck. And that, my friend, is the real glow-up.

So, What’s the Catch?

The only catch is that you have to be willing to be unapologetically yourself—even when the world tells you that you’re “past your prime.” Maye Musk didn’t become a CoverGirl model because she was born with a specific face. She became one because she refused to let the industry’s narrow definition of beauty tell her she was finished. And at 69, she’s just getting started. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go buy her foundation—and maybe a burger.