Elon Musk and His Son
Credit: Getty Images
Elon Musk frequently dominates headlines — from launching rockets to stirring up Twitter. But behind the tech empire, he’s also a father of 12. Tragically, he lost his firstborn at just 10 weeks old.
A Glimpse into Musk’s Marriages
Wondering how many times Musk has been married? Hold that thought — because there’s even more to uncover, including his ambitious new family plan.
Justine Musk: The First Wife
Musk met Justine Wilson at Queen’s University in Ontario. They married in 2000 and began a life filled with both triumph and tragedy.
In 2002, they welcomed their first son, Nevada. Sadly, he passed away from SIDS at only 10 weeks old. While Musk rarely speaks publicly about the loss, he did open up in a heartfelt email to another grieving parent, writing:
“There’s nothing worse than losing a child.”
Musk added,
“My firstborn son died in my arms. I felt his last heartbeat.”
Despite the heartbreak, the couple had twins in 2004 and triplets in 2006. However, their marriage ended in 2008.
The Split, in Justine’s Words
Justine described the divorce candidly:
“In the spring of 2008, my entrepreneurial husband filed for divorce. Six weeks later, he texted me that he was engaged to a British actress in her early 20s.”
That actress was Talulah Riley.
Talulah Riley: The Actress He Married Twice
Talulah Riley met Musk at a London nightclub in 2008. Captivated by his “shy” and “sweet” nature, she married him in 2010. They divorced in 2012 — remarried in 2013 — and finally split for good in 2016.
Despite the rollercoaster, Riley calls Musk “a great friend” today.
“He looks out for me… We’re in a happy place now.”
The pair lived with Musk’s five sons from his first marriage, though they never had children together.
Shivon Zilis: The Private Partner
In 2022, the public learned Musk had twins with Shivon Zilis, an executive at Neuralink. Their relationship, kept private for years, raised eyebrows due to workplace dynamics — especially since Zilis reported directly to him.
They welcomed a third child via surrogacy in 2024.
No Romance, Just Parenthood
According to Walter Isaacson’s biography, Zilis and Musk never dated. She revealed Musk donated sperm, stating he encouraged her to have children so “smart people” would reproduce.
No romance or intimacy was involved — just a mutual agreement.
Grimes: The Artistic Outlier
Canadian musician Grimes (Claire Boucher) brought an unexpected twist to Musk’s love life. The couple debuted in 2018, surprising many with their unlikely pairing.
In 2020, they welcomed a son named X Æ A-12 (later adjusted to X AE A-Xii). A daughter, Exa Dark Sideræl Musk, followed via surrogate in 2021.
Though they “semi-separated” that year, they remained close and continued co-parenting.
A Complicated Custody Battle
In September 2023, they had a third child. One month later, Grimes filed a lawsuit over custody and parental rights.
So, How Many Times Has Musk Been Married?
Elon Musk has been married three times — to two women. He married Justine once and Talulah Riley twice.
Vivian Jenna Wilson: The Estranged Daughter
Vivian, one of Musk’s twins with Justine, made headlines in 2022. At 20, she legally changed her name and gender, choosing to cut ties with her father. She adopted her mother’s last name and stated:
“I no longer wish to be related to my biological father in any way.”
Musk later claimed in an interview that his “son” had “died,” blaming the so-called “woke mind virus.”
Musk’s Controversial Claims
He alleged he was misled into approving puberty blockers for one of his sons. Speaking with Jordan Peterson, Musk said:
“I was tricked into signing documents. I was told Xavier might commit suicide if he doesn’t…”
Peterson challenged the statement, calling it “a lie right from the outset.”
Musk on Fatherhood
With 12 kids and a wildly public life, Musk often shares thoughts on parenting. In a recent post on X.com, he joked:
“Raising a kid is basically 18 years of prompt engineering.”
Still, he takes fatherhood seriously.
“Having children is saving the world,” he once said.
His parenting advice?
“Start immediately… and be super careful about what schools teach your kids.”
What’s Next?
Musk’s next big move? A $35 million mansion complex in Austin, Texas, designed to bring his blended family under one roof.
According to the New York Times, Musk wants his children and two of their mothers living nearby — just a short walk from his current mansion.
Final Thought
Whether or not this plan works out, one thing’s certain: Elon Musk’s personal saga is far from over.
