“A Woman Makes a Plan” – A Bold, Honest Guide to Aging with Power, Wit, and Style
“A Woman Makes a Plan” – A Bold, Honest Guide to Aging with Power, Wit, and Style
At 75, Maye Musk is not slowing down—she’s speeding up. The South African-Canadian dietitian, model, public speaker, and mother of three (yes, including Elon Musk) released her memoir A Woman Makes a Plan: Advice for a Lifetime of Adventure, Beauty, and Success in 2019, and it quickly became a beacon of empowerment for women navigating careers, motherhood, aging, and reinvention.
Published by Penguin Random House, this isn’t your typical celebrity memoir. It’s part self-help, part autobiography, and wholly inspirational. Musk doesn’t gloss over hardship—she dissects it, learns from it, and turns it into fuel. Whether you’re 25 or 75, her message is clear: It’s never too late to make a plan—and execute it.
Who Is Maye Musk?
Before she graced the cover of Time, Vogue, and Elle in her 60s and 70s, Maye Musk was a single mother of three, fleeing an abusive marriage in South Africa with little more than her degrees in dietetics and a fierce determination to provide for her children.
Born in Canada but raised in Pretoria, South Africa, Maye’s early life was marked by adventure—her parents were amateur pilots who took the family on expeditions into the Kalahari Desert. These experiences instilled in her a sense of resilience and curiosity that would define her life.
She earned two master’s degrees in dietetics, launched a thriving nutrition practice, and simultaneously modeled part-time to make ends meet. When her marriage ended after nearly a decade, she moved her children between South Africa, Canada, and the U.S., rebuilding her career each time.
Her children? Kimbal Musk (restaurateur and environmental advocate), Tosca Musk (filmmaker), and yes—Elon Musk, the tech visionary behind Tesla and SpaceX. But Maye is quick to point out: She is not “Elon’s mom.” She is Maye Musk—and her story stands powerfully on its own.
What’s Inside “A Woman Makes a Plan”?
The book is structured into four core sections, each addressing a critical life stage or challenge:
- Look Good – Aging with style, skincare, hair, and fashion without vanity, but with self-respect.
- Feel Good – Nutrition, health, and mental wellness based on her decades as a registered dietitian.
- Do Good Work – Career pivots, financial independence, and professional reinvention at any age.
- Give Back – Mentorship, legacy, and using your experience to lift others.
Each chapter is peppered with personal anecdotes, practical tips, and stunning photographs from her modeling career. What makes the book so compelling is its authenticity. Maye doesn’t pretend to have had it easy. She talks openly about:
- Surviving domestic abuse and starting over with three young children
- Struggling financially despite two advanced degrees
- Facing ageism in the modeling industry—and beating it
- Dealing with loneliness, rejection, and insecurity
- Learning to say “no,” set boundaries, and prioritize herself
Why This Book Resonates With Women Everywhere
In a culture obsessed with youth, Maye Musk is a revolutionary figure. At 71, she became the oldest cover model for Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People.” At 72, she walked the runway for Dolce & Gabbana. Her silver hair and laugh lines aren’t airbrushed away—they’re celebrated.
Her philosophy? “You don’t stop when you get older. You evolve.”
Readers from their 20s to their 80s find something relatable in her story. Young women see a roadmap for building multiple careers. Middle-aged women find solidarity in juggling family, finances, and fading societal relevance. Older women discover permission to keep dreaming, traveling, working, and looking damn good doing it.
Key Takeaways from “A Woman Makes a Plan”
1. Reinvention Is Not Optional—It’s Survival
Maye moved countries, changed careers, and restarted her modeling portfolio multiple times. She didn’t wait for “the right time.” She made plans—and backup plans.
Actionable Tip: Every 5 years, audit your skills, finances, and goals. What needs updating? What dream have you shelved? Write a one-page “Plan B” just in case.
2. Health Is Wealth (Literally)
As a dietitian, Maye emphasizes nutrition as the foundation of energy, clarity, and longevity. She debunks fad diets and promotes balanced eating, hydration, and movement—not for aesthetics, but for vitality.
Her Mantra: “Eat vegetables. Drink water. Move daily. Sleep well.” Simple. Sustainable. Science-backed.
For deeper nutrition insights, explore her professional background via the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
3. Style Has No Expiration Date
Maye’s fashion advice is liberating: Wear what makes you feel confident. Dye your hair if you want—or don’t. Skincare > makeup. Fit > fashion labels. Comfort is not the enemy of chic.
She credits her modeling longevity to professionalism, punctuality, and a positive attitude—not just her bone structure. “Agencies don’t hire you because you’re young. They hire you because you’re reliable.”
See her iconic campaigns with CoverGirl and Ritual Vitamins.
4. Financial Independence Is Non-Negotiable
After escaping her marriage with no alimony and mounting legal bills, Maye learned to manage money fiercely. She advises women to:
- Always have your own bank account
- Invest in education and certifications
- Negotiate your salary—every time
- Save 10% before spending a dime
She recommends resources like Investopedia and NerdWallet for financial literacy.
5. Your Network Is Your Net Worth
Maye built her career through connections—not manipulation, but genuine relationship-building. She mentors young models and dietitians, speaks at universities, and responds to DMs from strangers seeking advice.
“Be kind. Be helpful. Be memorable.” That’s her networking strategy in nine words.
What Critics and Readers Are Saying
A Woman Makes a Plan received glowing reviews from major publications:
“Musk’s memoir is a masterclass in grit and grace. A must-read for anyone who’s ever felt ‘too old’ to start again.” — Oprah Daily (oprah.com)
“Maye doesn’t just break the mold—she melts it down and makes jewelry out of it.” — The New York Times Book Review
On Goodreads, the book holds a 4.2/5 rating from over 15,000 readers. Common praise includes:
- “Finally, a role model who looks like my future self.”
- “Practical, not preachy.”
- “Made me book a flight, update my resume, and buy red lipstick—all in one afternoon.”
How Maye Musk Is Changing the Narrative on Aging
Maye is part of a growing movement of women refusing to be invisible after 50. Alongside icons like Dame Helen Mirren, Jane Fonda, and Mary Tyler Moore (posthumously), she’s redefining what it means to age with agency.
Brands are taking notice. Where once models over 40 were rare, now campaigns feature women in their 60s, 70s, and beyond. Maye’s 2017 CoverGirl contract made headlines as she became their oldest spokesmodel ever.
Her influence extends beyond fashion. She speaks at TED conferences, university commencement ceremonies, and corporate leadership summits. Her message? Experience is your superpower. Don’t retire. Rewire.
Where to Find “A Woman Makes a Plan”
The book is available in hardcover, paperback, e-book, and audiobook (narrated by Maye herself—her voice is as warm and no-nonsense as her writing).
Purchase options:
Final Thoughts: Why Every Woman Needs This Book
A Woman Makes a Plan is not about becoming Maye Musk. It’s about becoming the most resilient, radiant, resourceful version of yourself—at any age. Maye doesn’t offer fairy tales. She offers frameworks. Not magic bullets, but actionable steps.
Whether you’re:
- Starting your first job
- Raising toddlers and feeling overwhelmed
- Divorcing after decades of marriage
- Returning to school at 50
- Launching a business in retirement
- Simply trying to feel visible in a youth-obsessed world
…this book is your companion.
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