Much is knownabout billionaire investor Elon Musk.

Some call Elon the Dogefather, as he endorsed this form of cryptocurrency early on (viaBoston.com).

Less is known about the 49-year-old’s mom, Maye Musk.

Maye Musk wears blue and smiles

Did you know she has a modeling career that spans seven decades (viaTown & Country)?

Indeed, Maye began modeling at the tender age of 15, according toBiography.

And yet, the septuagenarian’s fascinating life began long before her modeling days.

Maye Musk wears red

They went all the way up Africa, across Arabia and then across Asia, without any navigation.

Who else would do that with a compass and a map?"

They were tough years.

Maye Musk on red carpet, wearing yellow

On my own with three young children and no income.