Elon Musk isn’t just known for sending rockets to space or revolutionizing electric cars—his love life has also kept the internet buzzing. His relationships are as eclectic as his career, from creative artists to brilliant minds. Musk’s romantic journey offers a glimpse into the personal side of one of the world’s most intriguing figures. As much as his innovations captivate the world, his relationships add another layer to his fascinating story.
Jennifer Gwynne: The Beginning
In the mid-1990s, Elon Musk met Jennifer Gwynne while they were both students at the University of Pennsylvania. Gwynne was drawn to Musk’s “quiet intensity,” though she noted his occasional “silly” side. Their connection grew quickly, and they began dating, even introducing each other to their families.
During their time together, Musk gifted Gwynne a gold and emerald necklace for her birthday, symbolizing the seriousness of their relationship. Gwynne fondly recalled Musk’s ambitious nature, balanced by moments of wide-eyed wonder, as they navigated the early stages of their young love.
The Relationship
The couple shared a close bond during their year-long relationship, spending time with Musk’s family in Toronto during the holidays in 1994. Gwynne described his family as welcoming and tight-knit, cherishing the opportunity to be part of their world briefly.
While they enjoyed their time together, their relationship began to face challenges. Gwynne studied abroad for a period, and Musk struggled with the demands of a long-distance relationship. His pragmatic nature made phone conversations seem inefficient.
How it Ended
After Gwynne returned from studying abroad, the couple decided to part ways, ending their romance on amicable terms. Years later, in 2022, Gwynne auctioned off mementos from their time together, including photos and a handwritten card, to fund her stepson’s college tuition.
Reflecting on their relationship, Gwynne described it as “amazing” and remembered Musk’s remarkable vision for the future, including predictions about electric cars that seemed far-fetched. Despite the breakup, she has spoken warmly of their shared moments, calling their time together a memorable chapter in her life.
Justine Wilson: The Beginning
Elon Musk met Canadian author Justine Wilson while both were students at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada. Their shared interests led to a budding romance that culminated in their marriage in 2000.
Justine, an aspiring writer, stood by Musk as he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, including ventures like Zip2 and X.com. Their union was marked by mutual support and the promise of building a family together.
The Relationship
The couple faced profound challenges, including the tragic loss of their first child, Nevada Alexander, to sudden infant death syndrome at 10 weeks old. Determined to grow their family, they turned to in vitro fertilization, resulting in twins in 2004 and triplets in 2006.
However, Musk’s intense work commitments with SpaceX and Tesla began to strain their relationship, leading to Justine feeling isolated.
How it Ended
In 2008, the couple divorced, with Justine publicly sharing her struggles during the marriage. They agreed to share custody of their five children, though the divorce was not without conflict.
Justine later reflected on the relationship as a learning experience and focused on her writing career while Musk continued to expand his entrepreneurial ventures.
Talulah Riley: The Beginning
Elon Musk began dating British actress Talulah Riley in 2008, shortly after his divorce from Justine Wilson. Their relationship progressed swiftly, leading to their marriage in 2010 at Dornoch Cathedral in Scotland.
Riley became a stepmother to Musk’s five children, integrating into his complex family dynamics. Even though the pair share a 14-year age gap, they found a sense of shared love and compassion for one another.
The Relationship
The couple’s relationship experienced turbulence, resulting in a divorce in 2012. However, in a serious turn of events that shocked the world, their bond remained strong, and they remarried in 2013. That’s right, they have been married twice…
Despite efforts to make their marriage work for a second time, the pressures of Musk’s demanding career and the challenges of maintaining a blended family took a toll on their union.
How it Ended
In 2016, Riley filed for a second divorce, finalized later that year. Both have spoken respectfully of each other post-separation, indicating an amicable parting. When asked if they could remarry for a third time, Riley answered, “Never say never.”
Riley has since continued her acting career and, as of December 2024, is married to fellow child actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster. While the relationship between Riley and Musk was rather unorthodox, it is nothing short of surprising when it comes to Elon Musk.
Amber Heard: The Beginning
Elon Musk and actress Amber Heard were first linked romantically in late 2016 following Heard’s divorce from Johnny Depp and Musk’s divorce from Talulah Riley.
They had met in 2013 on the set of “Machete Kills,” where Musk made a cameo appearance. Their shared interests in science and philanthropy fostered a connection that eventually became a relationship.
The Relationship
The couple’s relationship was highly publicized, with appearances at various events and shared moments on social media.
Despite their chemistry, their demanding careers often kept them apart, leading to challenges in maintaining their connection. Musk later described the relationship as “brutal,” acknowledging the intensity of their time together.
How it Ended
By August 2017, the couple announced their breakup, citing demanding work commitments as the primary reason. Which, honestly, didn’t come as much of a surprise to people who knew them.
They briefly rekindled their romance later that year but ultimately parted ways in early 2018. Both have since moved on, focusing on their careers while maintaining mutual admiration.
Grimes: The Beginning
Elon Musk began dating Canadian musician Grimes (born Claire Boucher) in 2018. The two connected over a shared interest in artificial intelligence and obscure humor, famously bonding online over a pun about Roko’s Basilisk.
Their relationship became public when they attended the Met Gala in May 2018. Fans were intrigued by the pairing, as Musk’s technological pursuits contrasted with Grimes’ avant-garde persona. Despite the differences in their backgrounds, the couple found common ground in their creative ambitions and a mutual fascination with the future.
The Relationship
Over the next few years, Grimes and Musk’s relationship evolved as they blended their unconventional lifestyles. In May 2020, they welcomed a son named X Æ A-12 Musk, a name that sparked widespread curiosity due to its unique composition and meaning.
Grimes described Musk as a hands-on father and a partner who challenged her intellectually. While they shared moments of joy, the relationship was not without complexities, as their demanding careers and public personas occasionally created tension.
How it Ended
By September 2021, Musk revealed that he and Grimes were “semi-separated” due to conflicting schedules and living arrangements, though they continued to co-parent their son amicably.
Despite the split, they maintained a close friendship and publicly supported each other’s endeavors. In December 2021, Grimes announced the birth of their second child, a daughter named Exa Dark Sideræl Musk, via surrogate. Both described their relationship as fluid and unconventional, emphasizing a shared commitment to their children rather than traditional romantic labels.
Natasha Bassett: The Beginning
Australian actress Natasha Bassett was first linked to Elon Musk in early 2022 following his split from Grimes. Their relationship reportedly began as a private and low-key affair, with the couple spotted together during Musk’s trips to France and other locations.
Natasha, known for her portrayal of Britney Spears in the biopic Britney Ever After, kept her relationship with Musk out of the public eye, focusing on supporting him during a transformative time in his personal and professional life.
The Relationship
Bassett accompanied Musk to several high-profile events during their time together, including his business-related trips and private gatherings. While they appeared to enjoy each other’s company, sources close to the couple revealed that Natasha valued maintaining her independence and continuing her acting career.
The pair kept their romance private, avoiding media scrutiny compared to Musk’s past relationships. Despite their differing worlds, they shared a mutual respect and understanding connection.
How it Ended
By late 2022, reports emerged that Musk and Bassett had quietly ended their relationship. The split was said to be amicable, with both prioritizing their careers and personal growth.
Natasha focused on her rising acting career, while Musk remained immersed in his ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter. However, their brief relationship marked another chapter in Musk’s complex romantic history.
Shivon Zilis: The Beginning
Shivon Zilis, a director at Neuralink, became professionally connected to Elon Musk through her work advancing neural technology. Over time, their collaboration grew closer, eventually leading to a personal relationship.
In November 2021, Zilis gave birth to twins Strider and Azure, conceived via in vitro fertilization. Their births were kept private until July 2022, when court documents revealed Musk’s connection to the children. Zilis, known for her AI and machine learning expertise, became one of Musk’s closest collaborators.
The Relationship
Following the birth of their twins, Zilis continued her role at Neuralink while co-parenting with Musk. The dynamic between the two was reported to remain professional, with Zilis focusing on Neuralink’s goals and their shared interest in innovative technologies.
Despite media speculation, the relationship was described as non-romantic and based on mutual respect for their intellectual capabilities. They appeared to balance the demands of parenting their children and pursuing Neuralink’s mission to develop brain-machine interfaces.
How it’s Going
As of 2024, Musk and Zilis welcomed a third child via surrogacy, further blending their professional and personal connections. Both have maintained their primary focus on Neuralink’s projects while continuing to co-parent their children.
Publicly, Zilis has refrained from discussing the details of their arrangement, preserving her privacy while supporting Musk’s vision. Their relationship is a unique blend of professional partnership and family ties, characterized by a shared pursuit of technological innovation and a commitment to their children’s well-being.
Leave a Reply