In the quiet glow of a family gathering turned somber vigil, Maye Musk, the iconic supermodel, author, and mother to tech visionary Elon Musk, found herself overcome with emotion, tears streaming down her face as she uttered words that would resonate deeply with millions: a painful goodbye to a cherished companion who had been by her side through decades of triumphs and trials.

The announcement, shared via a heartfelt social media post on December 8, 2025, captured the raw vulnerability of a woman who has long symbolized resilience and grace.

“Today, I said goodbye to my dearest friend, the one whose wagging tail greeted me through every storm,” Maye wrote, her voice cracking in a accompanying video clip that quickly went viral, amassing over 5 million views in hours.

This moment of unfiltered grief has sparked a global conversation about loss, loyalty, and the profound bonds we form with our pets, reminding us that even icons like Maye Musk are not immune to the heart-wrenching ache of farewell.

Maye Musk’s life has been a tapestry woven with threads of perseverance, from her early days as a single mother in Canada to her triumphant reinvention as a global supermodel at 69. Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1948, Maye—née Haldeman—grew up in a family of adventurers and intellectuals.

Her father, Joshua Haldeman, was a chiropractor and political activist who once ran for Canadian parliament, while her mother, Winnifred, was an artist whose creativity inspired Maye’s own multifaceted career.

The family relocated to Pretoria, South Africa, when Maye was young, exposing her to diverse cultures and challenges that would shape her unyielding spirit.

At just 15, she began modeling, a pursuit that would sustain her through lean years, but it was her academic achievements—a doctorate in dietetics from the University of Toronto—that grounded her in science and self-reliance.

Marriage to Errol Musk in 1970 brought three children: Elon, born in 1971; Kimbal in 1972; and Tosca in 1974. Yet, the union dissolved in divorce by 1979, leaving Maye to raise her young family alone amid financial hardship.

“For a long time after I left my marriage, I had a pain in my gut.

I was so terrified about not being able to feed my kids,” she later reflected in interviews, a sentiment echoed in her 2019 memoir, *A Woman Makes a Plan: Advice for a Lifetime of Adventure, Beauty, and Success*.

The book, now translated into 33 languages and sold in over 100 countries, chronicles her journey from modeling gigs to pay the bills while pursuing her dietetics practice, to her breakout as CoverGirl’s oldest spokesmodel in 2017.

At 69, Maye’s silver-streaked hair and radiant smile challenged ageist norms, proving that beauty and vitality know no expiration date. Her story resonates with women worldwide searching for inspiration on overcoming adversity, making her a beacon in discussions about aging gracefully and defying societal expectations.

It is within this narrative of strength that the recent loss strikes with particular poignancy. The companion Maye bid farewell to was DelRey, her beloved dog, a fluffy bundle of joy who entered her life over 15 years ago.

DelRey wasn’t just a pet; he was a silent witness to Maye’s most intimate victories and vulnerabilities. Photos shared in her post show DelRey curled up beside her during book signings in Athens and Shanghai, his head resting on her lap as she typed manuscripts late into the night.

“He was there when Elon launched his first rocket, when Tosca directed her first film, when Kimbal planted his first sustainable farm,” Maye shared in the emotional video, her voice trembling as she stroked an old collar.

DelRey’s playful antics—chasing squirrels in Central Park or photobombing Maye’s runway walks—brought levity to a life often in the public eye. For animal lovers googling “Maye Musk dog loss,” this story amplifies the universal truth: pets like DelRey offer unconditional love, a therapy more potent than any prescription.

The video, filmed in Maye’s cozy New York apartment overlooking the Hudson, begins with her seated on a worn leather armchair, DelRey’s favorite spot now draped in his blanket.

Soft piano music plays in the background—a nod to Tosca’s filmmaking flair— as Maye holds a framed photo of the two hiking in the Canadian Rockies. “DelRey, my shadow, my confidant…

you taught me that joy comes in small paws and wet noses,” she says, pausing to wipe away tears with a tissue embroidered by her mother decades ago.

The clip cuts to archival footage: DelRey as a puppy, tumbling after a young Elon during a family barbecue; older clips of him snoozing beside Maye during Zoom calls for her dietetics lectures. Viewers witness the progression of their bond, from playful romps to gentle companionship in her later years.

“Losing him feels like losing a piece of my heart, but oh, what a full heart he filled,” Maye concludes, her cry a guttural release that echoes the grief many feel when searching for solace in stories of celebrity pet losses.

This outpouring has ignited a firestorm of support online, with hashtags like #MayeMuskStrong, #PetLossGrief, and #GoodbyeDelRey trending worldwide. Elon Musk, ever the succinct supporter, reposted the video with a single emoji: a broken heart followed by a rocket, symbolizing how DelRey grounded the family’s lofty ambitions. “Mom’s resilience is unmatched.

DelRey knew he was loved,” Elon’s caption read, garnering 2.3 million likes. Fans flooded the comments: “As someone who lost my fur baby last year, your tears validate my pain—thank you for sharing,” wrote one user from London.

Another from Sydney added, “Maye, your book got me through my divorce; now let DelRey’s spirit guide your next chapter.” The response underscores a key SEO insight for those querying “famous people grieving pets”: vulnerability from figures like Maye humanizes them, fostering deeper connections and shares.

Beyond the immediate sorrow, Maye’s tribute delves into the therapeutic role animals play in emotional healing. As a dietitian, she often links nutrition to mental health, but here she extends that wisdom to companionship.

“DelRey ate the same balanced meals I advocate—lean proteins, fresh veggies, no processed treats—and it kept him spry till 16,” she notes in the post’s caption, seamlessly tying grief to her expertise.

This isn’t coincidental; searches for “pets and mental health benefits” spike during such stories, as Maye’s platform amplifies evidence-based advice. Studies from the American Psychological Association, which Maye references, show pet ownership reduces cortisol levels by 20%, aiding grief processing.

Her openness encourages readers to explore “coping with pet loss,” a topic she promises to expand in a forthcoming blog series on her website.

Reflecting on her own history with loss prepares the ground for this moment’s intensity. Maye’s mother, Winnifred, passed at 98 after a life of unyielding creativity, confined to a wheelchair yet devouring books until her final breath.

“She retired only when her body demanded it, at 96— a lesson in dignity,” Maye once tweeted, a post that resurfaced amid the tributes. Her father Joshua’s daring aviation exploits ended tragically in a 1955 plane crash that scarred the family, teaching young Maye the fragility of life.

These echoes make DelRey’s departure not just a personal blow but a culmination of accumulated heartaches. “Each goodbye carves deeper, but it also etches gratitude,” Maye philosophizes in her video, her tears giving way to a faint smile as she recalls DelRey’s “therapy sessions”—nuzzling her during sleepless nights post-divorce.

Elon Musk’s relationship with animals adds layers to the family dynamic, highlighting how DelRey’s loss ripples through the Musk clan. Elon, known for his love of dogs like the famous Floki—a Shiba Inu who starred in Dogecoin memes—has shared how pets provided stability amid his turbulent childhood.

In a 2023 podcast, he credited Maye’s menagerie of strays for teaching him empathy, a trait evident in SpaceX’s animal welfare initiatives. Kimbal, the restaurateur behind The Kitchen restaurants, echoed this in a statement: “DelRey was family.

He judged my cooking better than any critic.” Tosca, the filmmaker, uploaded a montage of home videos featuring DelRey as the “co-star” in their youth, captioning it, “Paw prints on our hearts forever.” For those searching “Musk family pets,” this revelation paints a portrait of a dynasty grounded by furry anchors, contrasting their high-stakes worlds of innovation and entertainment.

The broader cultural impact of Maye’s share cannot be overstated. In an era where “celebrity grief stories” dominate feeds, her authenticity stands out. Unlike polished eulogies, this raw cry—captured mid-sob, hair tousled, no makeup—mirrors the messy reality of mourning.

Mental health advocates praise it as a destigmatizer; the National Alliance on Mental Illness noted a 15% uptick in helpline calls post-post, many citing pet loss as the trigger. Maye’s platform, with 314,000 Facebook followers and growing X engagement, positions her as an inadvertent therapist for the heartbroken.

Queries like “how to grieve a pet like Maye Musk” now yield her video as top result, alongside resources from ASPCA’s pet loss hotline.

As Maye navigates these initial waves of sorrow, glimmers of hope emerge. She hints at adopting again, perhaps a rescue in DelRey’s honor, aligning with her advocacy for shelters. “Life’s adventures continue, paws or no paws,” she writes, invoking her book’s ethos.

Friends like Heidi Klum, who partied with Maye at last month’s Halloween bash, sent flowers inscribed, “From one Cruella to another—fur babies forever.” Even skeptics of the Musk empire find common ground here; Reddit threads on r/EnoughMuskSpam pivot from critique to condolences, one user noting, “Trauma doesn’t discriminate—Maye’s tears humanize the whole lot.”

In the days following, Maye retreated to her Toronto roots, walking trails where DelRey once bounded.

Photos of her with coffee in hand, gazing at frost-kissed leaves, circulate with captions like “Healing one step at a time.” This quiet interlude allows reflection on legacy: not just runways and rockets, but the quiet loyalties that sustain us.

For searchers pondering “Maye Musk latest news,” this chapter adds depth, revealing the woman behind the icon—one who cries freely, loves fiercely, and rises anew.

The outpouring continues, a digital hug from strangers turned kin in grief. Donations to animal rescues surge, tagged #ForDelRey, while Maye’s publisher announces a special edition of her book with a foreword on pet companionship.

Elon, in a rare tender moment, tweets, “Mom, the stars shine brighter because of lights like DelRey. We’re all here.” As December’s chill deepens, Maye’s painful goodbye transforms into a testament to enduring love, a SEO-optimized beacon for anyone whispering “heartbreaking loss” into the void.

In her tears, we see our own; in her forward gaze, permission to heal. Maye Musk, at 77, reminds us: it’s great to grieve, greater still to grow through it.