Golden Textured Silk Evening Coat Dress by NARDOS, www.NardosDesign.com
Solanales Woven Button Post Earring by Alexis Bittar
Solanales Crystal Pebble Ring by Alexis Bittar

Maye Musk is a Canadian-born, former South African who has a Doctor of Dietetics and is an international model and bestselling author. She began her modeling career at the age of 15 and has since graced the covers of numerous magazines and worked with major brands around the world. Musk is also a prominent figure in the field of nutrition, with two Master of Science degrees, and a PhD in the field. In addition to her successful career, she is a mother of three entrepreneurs, Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca, and loves spending time with her grandchildren. She is known for her confident and age-positive attitude, inspiring women of all ages to embrace their beauty and pursue their dreams, as seen in her advice-filled memoir, A Woman Makes A Plan.

Dress + Scarf by Rubin Singer
Liquid Vine Lucite Long Station Necklace by Alexis Bittar
Liquid Vine Lucite Raindrop Earring by Alexis Bittar
Broach by Erickson Beamon

Your book, A Woman Makes A Plan, has received a lot of praise since its release. What made you decide to write your own book and share your story with readers?
Funny enough, I didn’t decide to write a book. My literary agents at Cooke McDermid had seen my television and magazine interviews over many years and persuaded me to write a book. They thought I had advice to share. I didn’t think my life story would be interesting to anyone. However, they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. So, I dictated my life story and had it transcribed. My children insisted that I talk about my struggles as they were with me during those decades. These stories were hard to share. When I revised the book with my publisher, I wanted the sad parts removed. She wouldn’t allow that. Now it seems that many women, and men have been in a rut and relate to my stories. They say they will now make a plan to improve their lives. This makes me happy.

You’ve had a vast and diverse career, working as a a model, nutritionist, and entrepreneur. What sparked your interest to study nutrition when going to school?
When I was a teenager, I was really good at math and science, so I knew that I would be studying those subjects. I was also modeling at 15, and wanted people to know that models can be smart too. My father said I should have a profession after my Bachelor of Science, and I thought being a dietitian would be enjoyable. The only university that could give me the dietetics profession would be in Afrikaans. This was hard for me. With Canadian parents, we didn’t speak Afrikaans at all. When I went to the university classes, I didn’t find physics, chemistry, and biology difficult, I found the Afrikaans questions difficult to understand. So, although I managed to graduate at 21, my grades weren’t great because I was struggling with a new language. I’m sure many students can relate to this.

Micro Pleated Tulle Gown With Crystal Embroidery by Bibhu Mohapatra
Solanales Crystal Folded Earring in Gold by Alexis Bittar

One thing people associate with your name is hard-working. From young model, to mother, and now grandmother, how have you found the balance of work and personal life
My daughter calls me a machine., Ha-ha! I used to work very hard both day and night just to survive. My office was in my home, either at a table in the living room or converting a bedroom to an office. Fortunately, my children helped me by being independent and doing their homework without supervision. I moved to nine cities in three countries, and they were fine with that. I had to rewrite the dietetics exams in each country, as doctors would only send patients to a registered dietitian. It was hard to study biochemistry and physiology at 41 and 48, as I didn’t use these medical terms in my practice, but I buckled down. Starting a new business in a new country means working day and night. I’m still working day and night, but under less pressure. I’m doing very well and can say no to jobs that would overextend myself. Life gets better with age.

**Left:**
Yellow Sleeveless Pleated Chiffon Gown With Beaded Bodice and High Side
& Floor‐Length Chiffon Cape by Reem Acra
Solanales Front Facing Hoop earring by Alexis Bittar
**Right:**
Dress by Rubin Singer
Large Molten Lucite Hinge Bangle Bracelet - Neon Pink by Alexis Bittar

Throughout your multiple careers and titles, do any particular moments or achievements stick out as the most meaningful?
Definitely receiving my PhD was a huge honor, and now being a supermodel and on your cover, makes me feel very special. Everywhere I go, young models express their happiness to know their career will not be over soon. The extremely talented Mike Ruiz saw potential in me for creative looks when he came to Los Angeles about eight years ago. I was thrilled with our first photoshoot. Since then, we’ve done many more and different shoots. I am excited for this editorial.

“A Woman Makes a Plan" touches on topics such as resilience and perseverance. Please share a particularly challenging moment in your life and how you overcame it?
Definitely running away from my marriage with three children, from Pretoria to Durban, which is 600 miles away, at the age of 31 was very challenging. It was unusual for women to do that in the 70s. I had savings and could support my kids for six months until my nutrition practice picked up. Unfortunately, my ex-husband had signing rights on my savings and stole all my money. This put us in financial distress, but we managed through budget eating, never going out for meals or movies, public schools, secondhand school uniforms and books, and supportive children. On the plus side, we had a peaceful home, and I wasn’t living in fear. That is worth it. Then I found out that most couples didn’t invite a divorced woman, to any social gatherings. Fortunately, I could get out as a model. An agency needed one “mature” model, that means over 21. At my first runway show, a trans woman was my hair stylist. She was very kind to me and said she would look after me. She was very strong so helped me move furniture and pot plants. She also wanted to protect me from the playboys in Durban. I had no idea how to date. I think many divorcees feel the same. Anyway, she invited me and my children to barbecues every Sunday,, which were mainly with gay men who were so kind and generous to us, and fun. She even looked after Elon after he fell out of a tree. He told me his arm was hurting but I didn’t pay attention as my boys often hurt themselves. But she listened and took him to the hospital. She returned with Elon with his arm in a cast. He had a fractured bone. We remember her well and still speak kindly of her.

**Left:**
Charmeuse sheath dress with rose garden print by Dolce & Gabbana
Earrings with rhinestones and DG logo by Dolce & Gabbana
CREDIT SHOULD READ: Dolce & Gabbana
Customer Service Number: 1-877-70-DGUSA
Company website: http://www.dolcegabbana.com
**Right:**
Vibrant Crimson Lace gown, Fitted Through The Bodice Before Flaring Out Into A
Voluminous Skirt by NARDOS, www.NardosDesign.com
Molten Knuckle Ring in Gold by Alexis Bittar
Brut Gold Ribbon Teardrop Post Earring by Alexis Bittar

When writing your book, did you have a target audience in mind and whom do you see benefiting the most from your advice?
When I was asked to write the book, I didn’t have a target audience in mind. I didn’t think anyone would want to read my life story and buy my book, as many people have suffered more than I have. However, as a dietitian, I had given a lot of advice to patients who eat poorly due to stress in their lives. I would make them change their unpleasant situations so that they could have the willpower to eat well. So, I I guess I was giving advice most of my life. And now the advice is in my book is for both women and men.

On the rare occasion you’re not busy, how do you spend your free time?
When I’m not busy, I like to spend time with my children and grandchildren, or with my dog. I like to watch Dutch, French, and German movies with subtitles to practice my languages. I’m learning Italian at the moment as I work there a lot.

**Left:**
Trumpet Sleeve V‐neck Green Jacquard Kaftan With Beaded Neckline And
Bow Details by Reem Acra
Earrings by Erickson Beamon
Shoes by Kate Spade
**Right:**
Yellow Sleeveless Pleated Chiffon Gown With Beaded Bodice and High Side
& Floor‐Length Chiffon Cape by Reem Acra
Solanales Front Facing Hoop earring by Alexis Bittar

You seemingly have achieved it all. What’s next?
There are always many projects that come up. I have talks and modeling jobs booked in many interesting countries this year. I will post them on X and Instagram so readers can enjoy my explorations. I will be writing another book, mainly on healthy eating, based on science and common sense. There’s so much bad nutrition information out there and people are confused. I want them to enjoy their food again and live with good health.

Social Media.
Instagram: @mayemusk

**Left:**
Micro Pleated Tulle Gown With Crystal Embroidery by Bibhu Mohapatra
Solanales Crystal Folded Earring in Gold by Alexis Bittar
**Right:**
Charmeuse sheath dress with rose garden print by Dolce & Gabbana
Earrings with rhinestones and DG logo by Dolce & Gabbana
CREDIT SHOULD READ: Dolce & Gabbana
Customer Service Number: 1-877-70-DGUSA
Company website: http://www.dolcegabbana.com

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz
Talent: Maye Musk
Videographer: Justin Rodriguez
Editor: Matyas Kelemen
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Hair: Niko Weddle for Judy Casey using L’Oreal Matrix
Makeup: Sandy Linter
Set Design: Jasin Cadic
Fashion Market Assistant: Skylar Elizabeth
Fashion Stylist Interns: Hanna Flores, Cole Sudduth, Yisha Li , Ana Mergil, Ethan Engh
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Ethan Engh, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine