Elon Musk, 52, is widely known for his roles as the founder, CEO, and chief engineer of SpaceX; the CEO of Tesla, Inc.; the owner and former CEO of Twitter (now “X”); and the co-founder of Neuralink and OpenAI. Beyond his professional achievements, Musk is also a father to 12 children with a net worth estimated at around $240 billion. His family life is as multifaceted as his career, involving relationships with three women, each contributing to his large brood.
Tragic Loss
Musk’s first child, Nevada Alexander Musk, was born in 2002 with his then-wife, Canadian author Justine Wilson. Tragically, Nevada passed away at just 10 weeks old due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This heartbreaking event marked the beginning of Musk’s journey into parenthood, a path fraught with both joy and challenges. Musk has seldom spoken publicly about Nevada’s death, but he has acknowledged the profound impact of the loss in personal communications, underscoring the deep pain of losing a child.
Justine Wilson’s Contribution
Following Nevada’s death, Musk and Wilson turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF) to expand their family. They welcomed twins Griffin and Vivian Jenna in April 2004, followed by triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian in January 2006. Griffin and Vivian, now 20, were conceived through IVF, as were the triplets, who turned 18 this year. Vivian, originally named Xavier, made headlines in 2022 for legally changing her name and gender, distancing herself from her father publicly. Musk has attributed this estrangement to ideological differences, specifically critiquing the influence of what he describes as “neo-Marxist” ideologies in educational institutions.
Relationship with Grimes
Musk’s relationship with Canadian musician Grimes (Claire Elise Boucher) brought three more children into his life. Their first child, a son named X Æ A-Xii, was born in May 2020. The couple’s second child, a daughter named Exa Dark Sideræl, was born via surrogate in December 2021. Their third child, Techno Mechanicus, known as Tau, was revealed in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, highlighting the couple’s private approach to family matters. The unique names of their children reflect the couple’s unconventional approach to parenting, with Grimes providing detailed explanations for each name’s meaning and pronunciation.
Shivon Zilis and Twins
In a less publicized aspect of Musk’s family life, he fathered twins with Shivon Zilis, a Neuralink executive, in November 2021. The news of these children was initially kept private, with Musk later clarifying that the children were not a secret within their circle of friends and family. Zilis’ professional relationship with Musk and their co-parenting arrangement added another layer of complexity to his family dynamics.
Parenting Philosophy
Musk has a unique approach to education, having founded the school Ad Astra, which later evolved into the online school Astra Nova. This institution emphasizes non-traditional subjects like artificial intelligence, applied sciences, and coding, and does not adhere to conventional grading systems. Musk has remarked that much of his children’s education comes from online resources like YouTube and Reddit, underscoring his belief in self-directed learning.
A Vision for the Future
Musk’s motivation for having a large family ties into his broader concerns about global population trends. He has frequently expressed concerns about declining birth rates, which he sees as a significant risk to civilization. Musk has stated that his decision to have many children is partly driven by a desire to address what he perceives as an underpopulation crisis.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Innovation and Family
Elon Musk’s life is a testament to his commitment to both his professional endeavors and his family. His relationships, the tragic loss of his first child, and the complex dynamics with his children’s mothers illustrate a deeply personal side of a man often seen through the lens of his groundbreaking work in technology and space exploration. As Musk continues to shape the future through his companies, his large and diverse family remains an integral part of his legacy.