When Maye Musk was asked to pose again for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, she didn’t break a sweat.
The 76-year-old, who has led a modeling career spanning more than 50 years, credits a “flexitarian diet” with helping her look and feel her best.
The eating style has been described as favoring plant-based foods while consuming meat in moderation. It is considered more “flexible” than vegetarianism.
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Maye Musk is a fan of the flexitarian diet. (Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit)
Elon Musk’s mother was photographed for the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The outlet is celebrating its 60th anniversary. She told Fox News Digital that there are “two reasons” why she follows a flexitarian diet.
“When I got divorced [in 1979]I couldn’t afford meat, fish or chicken,” Musk recalled. “So I had to feed my kids beans. And as they say, they got tired of my bean stew. But I changed from that. I used different beans and lots of vegetables. [I also gave them] fruit in season. Of course, we could never afford organic or anything like that.
Maye Musk prefers to work out at home while talking to her sister on FaceTime. (Alessandro Bremec/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“You [also] get whole wheat bread… in south africa brown bread was subsidized by the government. White bread was more expensive, so we only ate brown bread. And of course, it kept us all in good health. And then we ate cereal and fruit in the morning.”
The 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is available on newsstands now. (Yu Tsai / Sports Illustrated Swimsuit)
“I remember Elon saying, ‘I’ve always wanted Coco Pops, but we only got Raisin Bran,'” she smiled. “Well, the thing is, Coco Pops were more expensive and less nutritious, so there you go [my children] i got And if they complained, I didn’t listen. And then [my daughter] Tosca said she always wanted apricot jam, but this was more expensive than strawberry jam. So she didn’t understand either. And then [my son] Kimbal said, ‘I left home to go to college because I got tired of your bean stew.'”
Maye Musk is the mother of three children, including billionaire Elon Musk. (C Flanigan/Getty Images)
“They really joke about how I am, but I’m also not a good cook,” Musk admitted. “That’s also why Kimbal learned how to cook. . . . He likes to eat really great food. Some people just don’t like to cook, and that’s okay. You just eat the foods you like. I eat mostly vegetarian at home.”
Musk is eating less bean stew these days. She stocks fresh fruits and vegetables, which she said are essential as you grow older.
“I eat very well,” she explained. “For me, to maintain a healthy body and great skin, you have to eat well. It keeps me in good health… [When my children visit], we usually send for meat, fish or chicken. Tosca and Kimbal really love cooking. So I always have delicious home-cooked meals.”
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Maye Musk first appeared on the cover of SI Swimsuit in 2022. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Still, Musk isn’t afraid to indulge in moderation.
“Usually it would be something sweet because I like sweets,” she explained. “But I’ve managed. I used to overeat… I was the first plus-size model in South Africa in my 30s because I had been going through stressful periods. And stress is a common reason for overeating. I have gained 60 kilos. So I was eating a lot… But my cholesterol really hurt. I have to keep it under control.”
Musk joked that she can’t keep a box of chocolates in the house because “your old habits still want to come back.” However, this does not mean that she eliminates sweets altogether.
From left to right, Christie Brinkley, Maye Musk, Brooks Nader, Kate Love, Kate Upton and Lily Aldridge attend the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2024 Issue and 60th Anniversary Celebration at Swimsuit Island on May 17, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida. (Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit)
“When it comes to desserts in restaurants, I take a teaspoon,” she explained. “If it fits in my mouth, I’ll eat half of it, but if not, I don’t.”
Musk is also a big believer in having an active daily lifestyle. She noted that finding simple exercises that can be done at home is key to starting a new routine and sticking to it.
“I walk my dog three times a day, although she sniffs more than he walks,” she laughed. “I exercise at night when I FaceTime my twin sister – she lives in Canada. I have 30 minutes to an hour of exercise at home. I used to exercise a lot, but then I hurt myself. You can overdo things. I wanted to be super fit and then you find out you don’t have to hurt yourself, you can just be active.
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Maye Musk, left, is seen here with Ciara, who also posed for SI Swimsuit in 2022. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit)
“I do more yoga, jumping jacks and weights,” she said. “Our children wonder what [my sister and I are] talking about. But we talk about our lives.”
Over the years, Musk has learned many tips and tricks to look good in front of the cameras. She is not afraid to use them.
Maye Musk has been modeling for more than 50 years. (Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
“I’m good at finding my way,” she explained. “I don’t think I have too many wrinkles, but in the midday sun without makeup? Yes, I certainly look my age. But I’m happy to use filters if I have to, if I don’t like the lighting of But I usually like good photo lighting good, so I haven’t had anyone insult me.”
Maye Musk at the Sports Illustrated Swim Issue Launch Party held at the Hard Rock Hotel on May 16, 2024 in New York City. (Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images)
“I think once every three months, someone says, ‘You’re old,'” she continued. “But I don’t care, I can just delete [those comments]. It doesn’t bother me. I think I’m old, but I’m doing very well on social media. I’m getting most of my bookings through social media.”
Martha Stewart now holds the title as the oldest cover model in SI Swimsuit history. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images/Getty Images)
Musk became the oldest cover model in SI Swimsuit history when she appeared on the cover of the 2022 issue at the age of 74, the outlet reported. The title was taken by Martha Stewart, 81, in 2023.
“It’s truly an honor,” Musk said. “You don’t expect this when you’re 76, but it’s just surprising and exciting… [My children] you’re pleased… When you go out in a bathing suit, you’re not really excited for anyone to see you. But [SI] encourages you to let loose, be happy with yourself and look fabulous.”
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Maye Musk told Fox News Digital that she is busier than ever as a model, thanks to social media. (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for AHA)
“I think women just need to realize that they get wiser as they get older,” Musk noted. “People still try to take advantage of you, but you can spot it better and faster so you don’t end up in miserable situations as much… Even if you have to write down how you’re going to make a difference, you have To make a difference You don’t have to live in misery [with yourself]you just have to make a plan.”
Maye Musk attends the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue red carpet at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on May 18, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida. (Romain Maurice/Getty Images)
For those hesitant to rock a swimsuit this summer, Musk has some advice.
“Go to the beach and look at the men,” she said. “Do men care? Are they insecure? They will be small [shorts] and… looking, thinking they are awesome. Women should do the same… You should enjoy your time at the beach. It’s fun to do that. And if someone is insulting you, send the insult immediately.
“It’s so strange that a man can insult a woman when she looks so much worse than she does. I don’t know why we allow that. And if other women are insulting you, then you don’t have to mix with them. But you have to feel good about yourself when you go swimming.”