Elon Musk may be known globally as the mastermind behind Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink—but his personal life has drawn just as much curiosity as his entrepreneurial endeavors. With a staggering net worth, 12 children, and a list of high-profile relationships, Musk’s romantic history reads like a real-life soap opera intertwined with science fiction.
From the tragic loss of his first son to a marriage that happened twice to the same woman, and unconventional arrangements with Neuralink executives and an avant-garde pop star, Musk’s love life is anything but ordinary.
Let’s take a closer look at the women behind the world’s richest man, his evolving views on fatherhood, and what’s next for his growing family empire.
Shutterstock
Justine Musk: The First Wife and the Roots of Tragedy
Justine Musk (née Wilson) met Elon while they were both studying at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada. They married in 2000, before Musk made his billions. Their union began with love and ambition, but it was soon met with heartbreak.
In 2002, the couple welcomed their first child, Nevada Alexander Musk. Tragically, Nevada passed away at just 10 weeks old from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
“My firstborn son died in my arms. I felt his last heartbeat,” Musk later revealed in a heartfelt email exchange with another grieving parent, showing a rare glimpse into his emotional world.
Despite the grief, Elon and Justine went on to have five more children via IVF: twins Griffin and Xavier (now Vivian Jenna Wilson) in 2004, and triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian in 2006. Their marriage, however, ended in 2008.
After their split, Justine described the unraveling of their marriage candidly:
“Six weeks after the divorce, he texted me to say he was engaged to a gorgeous British actress… my life with this man had devolved into a cliché.”
.
Talulah Riley: The Actress He Married Twice
Enter Talulah Riley, a British actress known for her roles in Pride & Prejudice and St. Trinian’s. Musk began dating Riley shortly after his divorce from Justine—and in 2010, they tied the knot.
Their relationship was marked by turbulence. They divorced in 2012, then remarried in 2013, only to divorce again in 2016.
Despite the rollercoaster romance, Riley has nothing but kind words for Musk today:
“He looks out for me. We’re in a good place now, and I have the utmost love for him.”
Riley lived with Musk and his five children during their marriage, but the couple did not have children together.
Shivon Zilis: The Secret Neuralink Connection
Perhaps the most unusual chapter in Musk’s love life is his connection with Shivon Zilis, a top executive at Neuralink. Their relationship remained under wraps until it was revealed in 2022 that they had twins via IVF.
Zilis clarified that they never dated and weren’t romantically involved. Instead, Musk donated his sperm so that the children would be biologically his.
In 2024, they welcomed a third child via surrogacy. Their arrangement sparked discussions about workplace ethics and modern family structures, especially since Zilis reported directly to Musk.
Musk’s motivation? “He really wants smart people to have kids,” Zilis shared in Walter Isaacson’s biography.
Elon Musk and son XAE A-12 / Getty Images
Grimes: The Wild Card Romance
Musk’s most high-profile—and unconventional—relationship has been with Canadian musician Grimes (Claire Boucher). The duo began dating in 2018, making headlines for their seemingly opposite personas: the tech CEO and the futuristic artist.
Together, they have three children:
- X Æ A-12, born in 2020 (later renamed X AE A-Xii)
- Exa Dark Sideræl Musk, born via surrogate in 2021
- Techno Mechanicus (“Tau”), born in 2023
Their relationship has defied labels. Even after announcing a “semi-separation,” they’ve continued to co-parent and appear in public together.
“I’d probably call him my boyfriend,” Grimes once said, “but we’re both very fluid in how we define things.”
However, in October 2023, Grimes filed a lawsuit against Musk regarding custody of their first child, X.
X / Shivon Zilis
Vivian Jenna Wilson: The Estranged Daughter
Perhaps one of the most painful aspects of Musk’s personal life is his strained relationship with daughter Vivian, formerly known as Xavier. In June 2022, at age 18, she legally changed her name and gender, taking her mother’s last name and publicly severing ties with Musk.
“I no longer wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form,” she stated in court documents.
Musk later blamed the “woke mind virus” and expressed regret over signing documents that allowed gender-affirming treatment.
“It happened to one of my older boys, where I was essentially tricked into signing documents… I was told Xavier might commit suicide if he doesn’t…”
This remains a controversial topic, and Musk’s remarks have drawn both criticism and sympathy from various corners of the internet.
Musk’s View on Parenting: Quirky, Candid & Controversial
With 12 children across different partners, Elon Musk has strong views on parenting.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
“Raising a kid is basically 18 years of prompt engineering.”
He’s also publicly encouraged high-IQ individuals to have more children, stating:
“Having children is saving the world.”
And when asked by a new father for advice, Musk quipped:
“Start immediately. Be super careful about what schools teach your kids.”
Love him or hate him, Musk certainly isn’t shy about sharing his philosophy on family life.
The Future: Musk’s $35M Family Compound
In 2025, reports emerged of Musk’s latest project: a $35 million family compound near Austin, Texas. The goal? To bring his children and at least two of their mothers together under one expansive Tuscan-style estate.
Sources say the properties will be within walking distance of Musk’s primary residence, creating a unique version of blended co-parenting.
While critics see this as controlling or eccentric, others applaud the effort to remain actively involved in his children’s lives despite his grueling schedule.
Final Thoughts: A Love Life as Complex as His Tech
Elon Musk’s love life is as multifaceted and boundary-pushing as the technologies he champions. From conventional marriages to experimental parenting arrangements, he continues to challenge traditional norms of family, love, and responsibility.
Whether you see him as a flawed genius or an eccentric visionary, one thing’s certain: Elon Musk’s story is far from over.
Related Reads:
👉 Why Tammy Hembrow’s Bikini Photos Are Causing a Stir
Tags: Elon Musk love life, Elon Musk wives, celebrity relationships, Shivon Zilis, Grimes, Talulah Riley, Justine Musk, Elon Musk children, Musk family compound, Musk personal life, Neuralink twins, Grimes Musk baby, Elon Musk custody battle, high RPM celebrity news.