At 76 years old, Maye Musk stuns the world by flaunting her toned physique and revealing that her now-famous flexitarian diet began not by choice—but out of necessity after a devastating divorce left her broke, turning her struggle into a powerful story of resilience and reinvention!

Maye Musk Shares How Financial Struggles Sparked Her Lifelong Healthy Eating Habits

Maye Musk, mother of Tesla founder and X CEO Elon Musk, recently opened up about how financial hardships shaped her approach to nutrition and ultimately led her to embrace a largely plant-based lifestyle.

The longtime model, who has been in the fashion industry for over five decades, credits a “flexitarian” diet—emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and occasional meat—for helping her stay fit and energized throughout her career.

From Financial Struggles to Nutritional Wisdom

Speaking to Fox Digital, Musk reflected on the early days of raising her children after her 1979 divorce. “When I got divorced, I couldn’t afford meat, fish, or chicken,” she said. “So I fed my kids bean stew. They got tired of it, but I switched it up—different beans, lots of vegetables.”

She added that their diet consisted of seasonal fruits and basic staples. “We couldn’t afford organic. Whole wheat bread was subsidized in South Africa, so we ate that instead of white bread. It kept us healthy,” she noted. Breakfast usually consisted of cereal and fruit.

Simple Meals, Lasting Impact

Recalling the limited options available at the time, Musk laughed as she remembered a moment with Elon: “He wanted Coco Puffs, but all I had was Raisin Bran. Coco Puffs were pricier and less nutritious.”

She added, “If they complained, I didn’t pay attention. Tosca always wanted apricot jam, but we stuck to the cheaper strawberry jam. Kimbal once said he left for college because he was tired of the bean stew!”

Musk admits she’s never been one for elaborate cooking and prefers a mostly vegetarian diet even today. “Some people just don’t enjoy cooking—and that’s fine. I stick to foods I like and mostly eat vegetarian meals at home.”

A Diet That Grows With Age

Her refrigerator, she says, is always stocked with fruits and vegetables—something she believes is crucial, especially with age. “I eat really well. Good food keeps you healthy and gives your skin a glow.”

When her children visit, she says they often order in meat or fish—or better yet, cook for her. “Tosca and Kimbal love to cook. So I end up with amazing home-cooked meals,” she shared.

Though her diet is mostly disciplined, Musk admits to having a sweet tooth. “I love dessert,” she said. “I used to overdo it… I was even South Africa’s first plus-size model in my 30s after going through a rough patch.”

Still Shining at 70+

Her dedication to wellness is evident. In a recent Instagram post, Maye Musk showcased her radiant health while vacationing on Ios Island in Greece. One photo shows her floating on a raft in a pool, while another features her lounging poolside in a sleek black swimsuit.

She captioned the post: “Am I having fun on Ios Island or what?”