The pair met while studying at Queen’s University in Ontario and married in 2000, embarking on a journey that would see early success and deep personal tragedy.
The couple welcomed their first son, Nevada Alexander, in 2002, but their joy turned to heartbreak when Nevada tragically passed away from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) at just 10 weeks old.
Elon Musk hasn’t spoken much about the heartbreaking loss of his son Nevada, but some details have emerged – partly due to a tragic Tesla accident.
In emails exchanged with James Riley, whose son Barrett died in a 2018 Tesla Model S crash, Musk showed unusual compassion and empathy, writing, “There’s nothing worse than losing a child.”
Elon Musk about his lost son
He shared his own grief, recounting the personal tragedy of losing his firstborn son, Nevada, at 10 weeks old: “My firstborn son died in my arms. I felt his last heartbeat.”
Despite this profound loss, the couple went on to have five more children – twins in 2004 and triplets in 2006 – before parting ways in 2008.
Here’s how Justine has described the breakup:
”In the late spring of 2008, my wealthy entrepreneurial husband, Elon Musk, the father of my five young sons, filed for divorce. Six weeks later, he texted me to say he was engaged to a gorgeous British actress in her early 20s who had moved to Los Angeles to be with him. Her name is Talulah Riley, and she played one of the sisters in 2005’s Pride and Prejudice. Two of the things that struck me were: a) Pride and Prejudice is a really good movie, and b) My life with this man had devolved to a cliché.”
The actress who married Musk – twice
The British actress Talulah Riley captured Musk’s heart not once but twice. The 39-year-old St Trinians actor first crossed paths with Musk in 2008 at a London nightclub, and she was immediately captivated by the innovator’s “sweet” and “shy” demeanor.
The pair first married in 2010, shortly after Musk’s divorce from Justine.
Their whirlwind romance was marked by both intense passion and challenges, leading to their first divorce in 2012.
However, proving that some love stories are hard to let go, they remarried in 2013 only to divorce again in 2016. Riley has since spoken kindly of Musk, calling him “a great friend” despite their complex past.
”He looks out for me. We are in a happy place now, where we’re good to each other, which is really nice. I have the utmost love for him,” she said.
The couple lived together with Musk’s five children from his first marriage. However, Musk and Talulah Riley do not have any children of their own.
Secretive union with Shivon Zilis
In recent years, Musk has been linked with Shivon Zilis, an executive at Neuralink, one of his brain-machine interface companies.
Their relationship was kept under wraps until it was revealed in 2022 that they had become parents to twins via IVF, adding to Musk’s growing family tree.
The news certainly sparked some chatter about workplace ethics, especially since Zilis directly reported to Musk. Their third child together was welcomed in early 2024, thanks to the help of surrogacy.
The Neuralink executive revealed in Walter Isaacson’s biography that she and Musk never dated. Instead, Musk donated his sperm to ensure their children would be genetically his, with Zilis explaining that Musk encouraged her to have children because he “really wants smart people to have kids.” No romantic or sexual involvement was part of their arrangement.
The musician who broke all conventions
Perhaps the most unexpected and talked-about relationship of Musk’s was with Canadian musician Grimes (born Claire Boucher).
The couple first appeared together in 2018, shocking the world with their contrasting personalities – the tech mogul and the avant-garde artist.
They welcomed a son in 2020, with a name as unconventional as their union: X Æ A-12 (later adjusted to X AE A-Xii for legal reasons).
One year later, they had a daughter, Exa Dark Sideræl Musk, through surrogacy.
Although they announced a “semi-separation” in late 2021, they reportedly remain close and committed to co-parenting. For example, Grimes described her relationship with Musk by saying, ”I’d probably call him my boyfriend, but we’re both very fluid in how we define things.”
In September 2023, it was revealed that the couple had welcomed a third child, a son. Just a month later, in October 2023, Grimes filed a lawsuit against Musk regarding parental rights and custody of their eldest son.
How many times have Elon Musk been married?
A question that naturally comes up is how many times Elon Musk has actually been married. Given all the relationships he’s had, it can be a bit tricky to keep track.
But the answer is three – he’s been married three times, to two different women. His marital history includes two marriages to actress Talulah Riley and one marriage to author Justine Wilson.
Elon Musk’s estranged relationship with Vivian Jenna Wilson
One of Elon Musk’s most well-known children is Vivian Jenna Wilson, who, along with her twin brother, was born to Musk’s first wife, author Justine Musk.
Vivian, 20, made headlines in June 2022 when she legally changed her name and gender at the Santa Monica courthouse, choosing to adopt her mother’s last name to distance herself from her biological father.
In a petition filed in April 2022, Vivian expressed her desire to sever ties with Musk, stating, “I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form.” Despite her decision, Musk has publicly reacted to the change, claiming in a July 2022 interview that his “son” was “dead” due to the influence of what he called the “woke mind virus.”
Musk has also made controversial comments about his child’s transition, stating that he was misled into approving the use of puberty blockers. He claimed, “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…” Musk’s remarks have sparked debate, with Dr. Jordan Peterson, who was interviewing him at the time, dismissing his claims as “a lie right from the outset.”
Elon Musk’s parenting wisdom
With 12 children and a series of relationships that have captivated the public, Elon Musk’s personal life is as complex and intriguing as his professional one.
Elon Musk, known for his unique approach to life, recently shared some light-hearted thoughts on parenting in a post on X.com. Reflecting on the challenges of raising kids, he quipped, “Whoa, I just realised that raising a kid is basically 18 years of prompt engineering.” also has strong views on the importance of family, previously stating, “Having children is saving the world.”
When a soon-to-be parent asked Musk for his biggest piece of advice on raising a child, Musk didn’t hold back, replying, “My advice regarding starting a family is start immediately.” He also stressed the importance of being mindful about education, advising, “Be super careful about what schools teach your kids.” Classic Musk – blending humor with some solid wisdom on family life.
The story continues: What’s next for Musk?
Elon Musk’s most recent plans reportedly involve constructing a $35 million mansion complex in Austin, Texas, where his blended family can come together, promoting unity and co-parenting. According to the New York Times, Musk has shared with those close to him that he wants his children and two of their mothers to live on the Tuscan-style compound, so his younger children can be near each other, making it easier for him to spend time with them.
Sources close to the Texas billionaire told the Times that the new properties are just a 10-minute walk from the Austin mansion where he typically stays.
Whether this ambitious plan succeeds or not, one thing is certain: Elon Musk’s story is far from over.
