Elon Musk’s family life is often overshadowed by his tech career and space exploration. While he keeps much of his personal life private, his growing number of children has occasionally made headlines.
Elon Musk’s journey into fatherhood began over two decades ago, and since then, his family has expanded across multiple relationships. While some moments have captured headlines, others have remained deeply private, shaping a personal story that continues to evolve.
While Elon Musk keeps much of his personal life private, glimpses into his family dynamics have surfaced through court documents, interviews, and social media—revealing unexpected details about his children and life as a father.
The Birth of Elon Musk’s First Child and an Unimaginable Loss
Elon Musk’s journey into fatherhood began with his first wife, Justine Wilson, whom he met while they were both students at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada. At the time, Justine was a freshman, while Elon, a year ahead of her, was a 19-year-old with a South African accent and an unshakable ambition.
Their romance blossomed quickly, and after Elon sold his first company, Zip2, the couple got engaged and moved into a beautifully renovated condo. By January 2000, they tied the knot, ready to build a life together.
Two years later, they welcomed their first child, Nevada Alexander Musk, marking a joyful new chapter in their lives. However, what followed was a heartbreak that would forever shape their journey as parents.
In 2002, the joy of welcoming their first child was tragically overshadowed when Nevada Alexander Musk stopped breathing during a nap at just 10 weeks old. Though paramedics were able to resuscitate him, it was too late—Nevada had been without oxygen for too long and was declared brain dead.
For three agonizing days, Nevada remained on life support. Eventually, Elon and Justine made the heart-wrenching decision to let him go. Justine cradled him in her arms as he peacefully passed away.
When the story of Nevada’s passing resurfaced years later, it resonated deeply with many, striking a chord and reminding people of the profound grief that comes with losing a child.
The news of Nevada’s passing stirred deep emotions, with one commenter expressing, “That’s so heartbreaking to learn they lost their baby…. I didn’t even know that, and I can only imagine how hard & sad that is to lose a child… I’m so sorry.” Another wrote, “Oh god, I can’t even imagine. So tragic! No one should ever bury their child.”
The loss profoundly impacted Elon and Justine, leaving an indelible mark on their lives. Despite the overwhelming grief, the couple sought to grow their family through in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the years that followed, marking a new chapter in their journey toward parenthood.
Twins and Triplets – Expanding the Family
After the heartbreaking loss of Nevada, Elon and Justine found solace in growing their family. In 2004, they welcomed twins Griffin and Xavier, marking a joyful milestone.
Two years later, their family expanded again with the arrival of triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian, bringing the total number of their children to five. Despite the immense grief they had faced, these new additions filled their lives with love and new beginnings.
As Elon’s business ventures continued to flourish, the pressures of his expanding career and personal life began to strain his marriage to Justine. Despite their growing family, the demands of his work proved overwhelming, and in 2008, the couple made the difficult decision to divorce.
Following the end of their marriage, Elon began dating actress Talulah Riley, marking the start of a new chapter in his personal life.
Despite their differences, Elon and Justine reached an agreement to share custody of their five sons, ensuring their children’s well-being remained a top priority.
In 2022, Xavier, one of the twins, made headlines when she petitioned for a legal name and gender change. She adopted the name Vivian Jenna Wilson, choosing her mother’s maiden name, and requested to sever legal ties with her father, marking a significant and personal moment in her life.
Court documents revealed that Vivian Jenna Wilson explained her decision with a powerful statement: “I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape, or form.” Her petition was approved by a Los Angeles County judge, granting her the legal name and gender change she sought.
Vivian has since become active on TikTok, where she has amassed over 387,000 followers, using the platform to share her journey and experiences.
Vivian’s TikTok account provides rare glimpses into her life, making her one of the more public-facing members of the Musk family.
In the years following his divorce from Justine, Elon’s family continued to grow, this time with musician Grimes. Their relationship added another chapter to Elon’s evolving personal life, leading to the birth of their first child together.
Elon’s Children with Grimes
Elon Musk’s next chapter in fatherhood unfolded with his relationship with Canadian musician Claire Boucher, better known by her stage name Grimes. The couple welcomed their first child, X AE A-XII, in May 2020. Referred to affectionately as “X,” their son has made several appearances with his father at business meetings and events.
According to Grimes, X has already shown a keen interest in engineering and space, reflecting his father’s passions from an early age.
Grimes once shared that X was upset when his toy rockets weren’t anatomically accurate and even had a “three-day meltdown” after witnessing a Starship test failure, showcasing his early passion for precision and space exploration.
In December 2021, the couple expanded their family again with the birth of their daughter, Exa Dark Sideræl—nicknamed “Y.” She was born via surrogate, and her introduction to the world was anything but conventional. During a Vanity Fair interview, Grimes was caught off guard when Y‘s cries were heard in the background, marking a memorable and intimate moment for the family.
In 2023, it was revealed that Grimes and Elon had a third child, Techno Mechanicus, affectionately nicknamed “Tau.” The existence of Tau was confirmed in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk, but details about the child remain largely private.
Elon’s family continued to expand, this time through his connection with one of his top executives, further adding to his growing family dynamic.
Expanding the Family Again
In 2021, Elon Musk welcomed another set of twins, this time with Shivon Zilis, an executive at Neuralink. The birth of the twins remained private until 2022, when court documents surfaced, revealing a petition to change their names. The request sought to give the twins Elon’s last name while incorporating Zilis’ surname as part of their middle name.
Remarkably, the twins were born just weeks before Elon and Grimes welcomed their second child, Exa Dark Sideræl, via surrogate in December 2021, further expanding Elon’s growing family.
Although the births of his twins with Shivon Zilis were kept quiet initially, Elon Musk later confirmed their existence. But Elon didn’t stop at 11 children.
The Newest Addition and Elon’s Views on Fatherhood
In early 2024, Elon’s family grew once again with the birth of his twelfth child, another baby with Shivon Zilis. While details about the child remain private, Elon later confirmed the birth, stressing that it was not a secret.
Throughout his fatherhood journey, Elon has often expressed his commitment to having a large family and balancing his role as a father with his demanding career. Despite his high-profile life, he continues to prioritize his children and their upbringing.
When asked how many children he hopes to have, Elon Musk explained that his motivation stems from concerns about declining birth rates. He shared in an interview, “As many as I am able to spend time with and be a good father.” This reflects his deep commitment to both his growing family and the importance he places on being a present and attentive father, despite his demanding career.
Reflecting on his older children, Elon Musk acknowledged the challenges of spending time with teenagers as they grow more independent. He shared, “I wish they would (sigh).” This sentiment reveals the bittersweet reality of fatherhood as his children mature and seek their own paths, a relatable experience for many parents as their kids grow older.
Elon Musk’s family life is as multifaceted as his career, with 12 known children spread across various stages of his life. Rare photos and occasional public appearances have sparked significant discussion online, offering glimpses into his personal world and creating curiosity about how he manages his growing family alongside his many business ventures. Despite the public interest, Elon has largely kept his family life private, with some aspects remaining a mystery.
After biographer Walter Isaacson shared a photo of Elon Musk with two of his sons, fans were quick to point out the striking family resemblance. One person commented, “His son at the back? Clear resemblance to Musk,” while another added, “His teenage son looks just like him.” The resemblance sparked conversations online, with many noting how Elon’s children bear a strong likeness to their father, adding to the public fascination with his family.
Despite his demanding career, Elon Musk has openly expressed his desire to be an involved father. He frequently brings his young son X to business meetings, integrating family life with his professional world. Additionally, Elon encourages his children’s growing interests in engineering and space, fostering their curiosity and passions from an early age. This hands-on approach reflects his commitment to being both a present father and a guiding influence in their interests and ambitions.
