Elon Musk, the billionaire tech mogul, is known for revolutionizing industries from electric cars to space travel. But behind the headlines lies a fascinating personal life, marked by marriages, children, and complex relationships.
Justine Musk: His First Wife and Tragic Loss
Elon Musk’s first wife, Justine Musk, played an essential role in his early personal journey. The couple, who met while attending Queen’s University, married in 2000. Together, they faced both success and deep personal tragedy. Their son, Nevada Alexander, tragically died from SIDS at just 10 weeks old. Musk has rarely spoken about this heart-wrenching loss, but he expressed deep empathy for others who have experienced similar pain, particularly in emails with Tesla crash victim families.
Despite this profound grief, the couple had five more children, including twins in 2004 and triplets in 2006, before divorcing in 2008.
Talulah Riley: The Actress Who Married Musk Twice
The British actress Talulah Riley entered Musk’s life in 2008, shortly after his divorce from Justine. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage in 2010. Despite a challenging marriage and a first divorce in 2012, they remarried in 2013. However, they divorced again in 2016. Although their relationship ended, Riley has spoken kindly of Musk, calling him a “great friend” and expressing mutual respect for one another.
Shivon Zilis: A Secretive Partnership and Parenting Arrangement
Christmas shopping for the little ones I love was especially delightful this year ♥️???? pic.twitter.com/hWLwj02qYz
— Shivon Zilis (@shivon) December 25, 2020
Shivon Zilis, an executive at Musk’s company Neuralink, is another significant figure in Musk’s personal life. The pair kept their relationship under wraps, only revealing in 2022 that they had twins together via IVF. Zilis, who works directly under Musk, explained that they never had a romantic relationship, with Musk simply donating sperm for their children. Musk has made no secret of his desire for “smart people” to have children, which played a role in his unconventional parenting arrangement with Zilis.
Grimes: The Avant-Garde Musician and Unconventional Relationship
Perhaps the most unexpected relationship in Musk’s life is with Canadian musician Grimes (Claire Boucher). The couple’s contrasting personalities sparked interest when they first appeared together in 2018. In 2020, they welcomed their son, X Æ A-12 (later renamed X AE A-Xii). The couple later had a daughter, Exa Dark Sideræl Musk, through surrogacy. Despite a semi-separation in 2021, Musk and Grimes continue to co-parent and maintain a close, albeit unconventional, bond.
Elon Musk has been married three times, twice to actress Talulah Riley and once to author Justine Wilson. Despite the ups and downs of his marriages, Musk’s love life continues to intrigue the public.
One of Musk’s children, Vivian Jenna Wilson, made headlines in 2022 when she legally changed her name and gender, distancing herself from her father. In a petition, Vivian explained that she no longer wanted to be related to Musk, which Musk publicly discussed in a controversial interview. His remarks about transgender issues and his child’s transition sparked heated debate, highlighting the complexities of his family dynamics.
With 12 children, Musk’s parenting philosophy combines humor and seriousness. He recently tweeted that raising a child is like “18 years of prompt engineering” and shared his belief that “having children is saving the world.” Musk has also advised others to start families immediately and to be cautious about what schools teach children. His views reflect his unique approach to both parenting and life.
Musk’s most recent plan involves constructing a $35 million mansion complex in Austin, Texas, to house his blended family. The goal is to create a harmonious living space where his children and two of their mothers can live close together. Whether this ambitious plan will succeed or not, one thing is clear: Elon Musk’s story continues to evolve, and the world is watching.
