Rachel Fieldhouse
Beauty & Style

Elon Musk’s mum becomes oldest ‘Sports Illustrated’ model

Maye Musk has made history at the age of 74, becoming the oldest model to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition.

Musk appeared in the edition along with Kim Kardashian, musician/fashion entrepreneur Yumi Nu and Grammy-Award-winning singer Ciara as part of the magazine’s efforts to celebrate women no matter their age, life stage or job title.

“The journey we’ve been on - to break out of the mould the world puts us in - may sound familiar,” Sports Illustrated Swimsuit editor-in-chief MJ Day said.

“It’s certainly familiar to the women we’ve chosen to be our cover models: Maye, Ciara, Yumi, Kim. So in this issue, we encourage readers to see these models as we see them: multifaceted, multitalented - and sexy while they’re at it.

“The world may label them one way, but we want to focus our lens on all the ways they see themselves and how they own who they are,” she added.

“No matter your age, whether you’re a new mom, partner, sister, entertainer, athlete, entrepreneur, advocate, student, mentor, role model, leader or dreamer - or all of the above - we want to celebrate these women, their evolution and the many dimensions of who they are.”

The longtime model, author, activist and registered dietician-nutritionist took to Instagram to share the news with fans, writing of her appearance: “It’s about time!”

“I am so excited to be on the cover of @si_swimsuit at the age of 74,” she continued in her caption.

Speaking to People magazine, Musk admitted the opportunity was something she never dreamed would happen.

“My first reaction was, I could never dream up something like that because why would anyone have a 74-year-old on their cover, especially in a swimsuit,” she told the publication.

“I do think it’s going to make women feel more comfortable in their seventies when they swim, as well as women in their twenties and thirties.

“When women go to the beach, we’re kind of shy about our bodies, but men will walk around, looking terrible and they don’t care…

“I think we have to not care that much!”

Musk, who lives by the motto ‘#ItsGreatToBe74’, appeared on the cover in a burnt-orange and beige Maygel Coronel one-piece with a ruffled neckline and accessorised with chunky palm tree earrings, in one of four outfits she wore for the magazine feature.

Image: Instagram

Tags:
Beauty & Style, Maye Musk, Sports Illustrated, Model