Elon Musk's love life: All the women he married, dated, and had children with

Elon Musk, who is understood to be changing Trump’s inner circle, is one of the most influential and controversial tech moguls of our time. He has led a life as eventful in his personal affairs as in his business ventures. From high-profile romances to multiple marriages and fathering 12 children, Musk’s love life has been anything but conventional.

Despite his demanding career as the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and other enterprises, the ‘Dark MAGA’ tech giant has maintained relationships with some of the world's most recognised figures. Here’s a look at the women who have been a part of his life.

Jennifer Gwynne

Many love stories begin in university, such was the case for Jennifer Gwynne and Elon Musk. As reported by People, Musk met Jennifer Gwynne in the mid-1990s while they were both studying at the University of Pennsylvania.

Their relationship was just a year long, but it was serious enough for expensive necklaces (a gold and emerald gift from Elon), and also to introduce each other to their respective families. However, the university romance soon came to an end.

Not many love stories that begin in university have a happily ever after. When Gwynne had to return home after studying abroad, it has been reported that Musk struggled with the long distance.

In 2022, Gwynne auctioned off memorabilia from their relationship, including a handwritten card and photographs, to support her stepson’s college tuition. Reflecting on their time together she shared that their time was ‘amazing,’ adding:

His brilliance and vision were already evident back then… I can always tell the stories of Elon predicting the future of electric cars…

Justine Musk

Musk met Justine Wilson while attending Queen’s University in Ontario. He pursued her persistently, reports People. When she initially turned him down, he showed up with melting ice cream cones. Justine shared:

He invited me out for ice cream. I said yes, but then blew him off with a note on my dorm room door.

Several hours later, my head bent over my Spanish text in an overheated room in the student center, I heard a polite cough behind me. Musk was smiling awkwardly, two chocolate-chip ice cream cones dripping down his hands. He's not a man who takes no for an answer.

Their relationship continued despite Musk transferring schools, and after reconnecting, Justine moved to California to be with him. They married in 2000. The couple had six children together, though their first son, Nevada Alexander, tragically passed away from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) at just 10 weeks old.

They later welcomed twins Griffin and Vivian in 2004 and triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian in 2006.

However, their relationship was fraught with difficulties. In her 2010 Marie Claire essay, Justine described Musk’s controlling nature, recalling that were ‘warning signs’ about their future. She claimed:

In the months following our wedding, a certain dynamic began to take hold. Musk's judgment overruled mine, and he was constantly remarking on the ways he found me lacking. 'I am your wife,' I told him repeatedly, 'not your employee.' 'If you were my employee,' he said just as often, 'I would fire you.'

By 2008, the couple divorced, with Justine noting that she felt more like a ‘trophy wife’ than a partner. The split ended in shared custody of their children, and Musk provided financial support. Despite the separation, Justine and Musk have remained co-parents to their children.

Talulah Riley

Musk moved on from his divorce pretty quickly as he was engaged once again just six weeks after his divorce from Justine. Who was the lady who stole his heart in such a short period of time? Well, it was British actress Talulah Riley.

According to Newsweek, they met at a London bar and the actress actually didn't recognise Musk at first and thought he was nervous to talk to a young actress. From there the relationship moved along pretty quickly. The two got married in 2010 and it was turbulent, to say the least.

Musk filed for divorce in 2012, writing dramatically on X:

It was an amazing four years. I will love you forever.

However, by 2013, they reconciled and remarried. Their second attempt at marriage also failed, Musk filed for divorce again in 2014 but withdrew the petition seven months later.

Riley eventually filed for divorce in 2016. In 2022, Riley later reflected on their unusual love story and divorcing Musk twice, saying:

It felt silly to be together unmarried after having been married. You know, it's like a habit. We were saying, 'This is my husband.' 'This is my wife.' 'Oh, wait, no, we're not that anymore. We better be that again.'

Amber Heard

One of Musk’s most controversial romances was with actress Amber Heard. While Heard’s ex-husband Johnny Depp alleged that their romance started in 2015, Heard insisted she only met Musk properly at the 2016 Met Galawhen Depp ‘stood her up.’ Heard recalled during the trial:

I didn't recognize [Musk] until we started talking and he reminded me we had met once before. He seemed like a real gentleman. He was really nice. He sat at a nearby table and we got to speaking that night and eventually became friends.

In July 2016, the two began to spark dating rumours just weeks after Heard filed for divorce from Depp. Their relationship was highly publicised, with the couple making their debut on social media in April 2017. By May 2017, it was reported that the two were ‘very serious about each other.’ However, by August 2017, they had split due to their demanding schedules.

Musk later revealed he was ‘really in love’ and that the breakup ‘hurt bad.’ The two reunited briefly before breaking up again in early 2018. Heard later described their bond as one of ‘intellectual curiosity’ and mutual respect.

Grimes

Musk and musician Grimes (born Claire Boucher) first began dating in 2018. A modern-day romance, the two met on social media. As per Vanity Fair, Musk slid into her DMs and the rest was history. The two made their first public appearance together at the Met Gala. Their on-and-off-again relationship was unconventional, with Grimes calling it ‘fluid.’

In May 2020, they welcomed their first child, X Æ A-12, later legally changed to X Æ A-Xii. As per Today, the name is pronounced X Ash A Twelce. The couple announced they had 'semi-separated' in September 2021 because of their busy schedules, but despite the semi-split, the couple had another child together.

In December 2021, they welcomed their second child, a daughter named Exa ‘Y’ Dark Sideræl, via a surrogate.

Though Grimes confirmed their relationship was back on in early 2022, they separated again later that year.

In September 2023, it was revealed that Musk and Grimes had secretly welcomed a third child, Techno Mechanicus, nicknamed ‘Tau.’ While their romantic relationship has ended, they reportedly remain close co-parents.

Shivon Zilis

Shivon Zilis and Musk have never been linked romantically, but they share three children. The revelation came as a huge surprise as the identity and even birth of these children had been kept under wraps for some time.

In July 2022, reports surfaced that Musk had fathered twins, Strider and Azure, with the Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis in November 2021. Allegedly the twins were conceived through IVF.

In 2024, Musk and Zilis welcomed a third child together, though the name and details have not been disclosed. Musk said about his decision to keep the details private:

All our friends and family know. Failure to issue a press release, which would be bizarre, does not mean ‘secret.’

Zilis has described Musk as someone who ‘encouraged her’ to have children and has defended him against public criticism. She said:

He really wants smart people to have kids, so he encouraged me to do this. I can’t possibly think of genes I would prefer for my children.

Zilis, a respected figure in the AI and tech industry, met Musk while working at OpenAI before joining Neuralink. She has played a significant role in Musk’s ventures and has maintained a professional relationship with him despite their unconventional family dynamic.

This article has been created with the help of AI.

Read more:

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Sources used:

People: Elon Musk's Dating History: From Amber Heard to Grimes

People: Who Is Elon Musk’s Ex-Wife? All About Justine Musk

Newsweek: Inside Elon Musk's Relationship History

People: Elon Musk and Amber Heard's Relationship Timeline

Today: Who Are Elon Musk’s 12 Children?

People: Who Is Shivon Zilis? All About the Neuralink Executive Who Shares 3 Kids With Elon Musk