Elon Musk, the visionary behind Tesla and SpaceX, is as well-known for his groundbreaking innovations as he is for his eventful personal life. His romantic relationships have frequently captured public attention, painting a picture of a man as dynamic in his partnerships as he is in his professional endeavors. This article delves into the history of Elon Musk Partners, exploring the women who have shared significant chapters of their lives with the tech magnate.
Jennifer Gwynne: The College Sweetheart
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749×0:751×2)/Elon-Musk-Ex-GF-Auction92-02082022-f6a6dd23aa4b4241ac8903b680ff2c90.jpg)
Elon Musk’s early romantic journey includes Jennifer Gwynne, whom he met in the mid-1990s while both were students at the University of Pennsylvania. Gwynne described being drawn to Musk’s “quiet intensity,” revealing a glimpse into his personality even in his youth. Their relationship, lasting about a year, marked a significant period where they introduced each other to their families, a testament to the seriousness of their bond at the time. Musk even gifted Gwynne a gold and emerald necklace for her birthday, showcasing a romantic gesture amidst his burgeoning ambitions.
However, the challenges of a long-distance relationship after Gwynne’s study abroad led to their parting ways. Gwynne recounted Musk’s pragmatic view of communication, where phone calls felt like an inefficient use of time, hinting at the demanding nature that would define his later career. Years later, Gwynne auctioned off memorabilia from their time together, including photos and a heartfelt card, using the proceeds for her stepson’s college education. She fondly remembered her time with Musk as “amazing,” recalling his early predictions about electric cars and the warm welcome she received from his family, including his mother Maye Musk and siblings Kimbal and Tosca.
Justine Musk: The First Wife and Mother of His Eldest Children
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(734×9:736×11)/elon-musk-Split-9e9c6c0d8dca4cfdbe3d14463fd1885f.jpg)
Justine Musk, née Wilson, holds the distinction of being Elon Musk’s first wife and the mother of his five living eldest children. They crossed paths as students at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada. Justine, then a freshman, caught Musk’s attention, leading to a persistent pursuit that began with an ice cream invitation. Justine initially declined but was charmed by Musk’s unwavering approach when he appeared with melting ice cream cones, showcasing his determination.
Despite transferring universities, Musk maintained his connection with Justine. Their relationship endured a temporary separation when Justine spent a year teaching English in Japan. Upon her return, Musk reconnected, and Justine eventually moved to California, leading to their engagement and marriage in 2000. Justine has openly reflected on early “warning signs” in their relationship, noting Musk’s self-described “alpha” personality and a dynamic where his decisions often overshadowed hers. She described feeling more like an employee than a partner, highlighting the power imbalances that emerged.
The couple faced profound personal tragedy with the loss of their first son, Nevada Alexander, to SIDS at just 10 weeks old in 2002. They channeled their grief into quickly trying to conceive again, resulting in twins Griffin and Vivian in 2004, and triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian in 2006, all through IVF. Justine described a life of luxury and privilege, yet also one lacking in emotional intimacy. A car accident served as a turning point for Justine, prompting her to re-evaluate her identity within the marriage. After a brief attempt at counseling, Elon Musk presented an ultimatum that led to their divorce in 2008. The divorce settlement included shared custody, the family home in Los Angeles for Justine, and spousal and child support, marking the end of a significant chapter in both their lives and Elon Musk’s partnership journey.
Talulah Riley: Twice the Aisle, Twice the Divorce
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/elon-musk-talulah-riley-0bbf1cb3876846ad8e6f7c881ef4e629.jpg)
Talulah Riley, a British actress, entered Elon Musk’s life shortly after his divorce from Justine. They met in a London bar, where Riley was unaware of Musk’s identity. She initially perceived him as someone unaccustomed to interacting with young actresses and found him to be quite nervous. Her intention to be kind led to a connection that rapidly progressed.
Within six weeks of Musk’s divorce filing, they were engaged. Riley relocated to Los Angeles, and they married in Scotland in 2010. However, this union was short-lived, with Musk filing for divorce in 2012. His public announcement via tweet expressed enduring affection and well wishes for Riley’s future happiness. Remarkably, their story didn’t conclude there. In 2013, they remarried, only to have Musk file for divorce again in 2014, which was later withdrawn. Ultimately, Riley initiated the final divorce proceedings in 2016, officially ending their twice-married, twice-divorced relationship.
Riley has since described the unusual nature of their relationship with a sense of humor, acknowledging it was “strange” to marry and divorce twice. Despite the complexities, they maintained a friendly relationship. She explained their remarriage as almost habitual, a return to a comfortable dynamic after briefly being unmarried. In June 2024, Talulah Riley married actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster, marking a new chapter in her life post-Elon Musk.
Amber Heard: A Brief but Public Romance
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/elon-musk-amber-heard-10bf6771bcea4dafb9a8d6da61951783.jpg)
Elon Musk’s relationship with actress Amber Heard unfolded amidst considerable public scrutiny, particularly during and after Heard’s tumultuous divorce from Johnny Depp. Musk reportedly first attempted to connect with Heard in 2012 through director Robert Rodriguez, but Heard, then dating Depp, did not attend the arranged dinner. The timeline of their romantic involvement remains somewhat contested. Depp alleged their relationship began secretly in 2015, while Heard stated she and Musk became acquainted at the 2016 Met Gala after Depp allegedly did not accompany her.
Heard described Musk as a “gentleman” at their Met Gala meeting, noting their initial friendly interactions. Shortly after, Heard filed for divorce from Depp, and rumors of a romance with Musk surfaced in July 2016. They made their relationship Instagram official in April 2017 during a trip to Australia, and by May, sources indicated they were serious, with Heard having met Musk’s children.
However, their relationship was short-lived, ending in August 2017, reportedly due to conflicting schedules initiated by Musk. Musk publicly commented on Heard’s Instagram, stating their amicable split and continued friendship and love. Despite a brief reconciliation and joint statement emphasizing the challenges of distance, they ultimately split again in February 2018. Heard later spoke positively of Musk, highlighting their shared intellectual interests and “beautiful friendship” rooted in mutual values.
Grimes: An Unconventional Partnership and Co-Parenting
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/elon-musk-grimes-45c18dc84ed9446c849a6e9fa01b59d8.jpg)
The partnership between Elon Musk and musician Grimes (Claire Boucher) is perhaps one of his most publicly unconventional relationships. Dating rumors began in April 2018 after a flirty Twitter exchange, culminating in their red carpet debut at the Met Gala. Sources confirmed they had been discreetly dating prior to their public appearance.
Despite reports of unfollowing each other on social media and breakup speculation, they were seen together with Musk’s children later in 2018, and Grimes appeared at Kardashian family events with Musk in 2019. In 2020, Grimes announced her pregnancy, confirming Musk as the father. They welcomed their son, X Æ A-12 (X), in May 2020. Musk noted Grimes taking the primary parenting role initially but expressed anticipation for greater involvement as X grew older.
They made a joint appearance on Saturday Night Live in May 2021, but by September, Musk announced they were “semi-separated,” citing geographical challenges due to their work locations. However, they welcomed a second child, Exa Dark Sideræl (Y), via surrogate in December 2021 and were briefly reported to be back together by Grimes in early 2022, describing their relationship as “fluid” and based on separate living arrangements and best friendship. Grimes later clarified they had broken up again but emphasized their deep bond and co-parenting commitment. In 2023, it was revealed they secretly had a third child, Techno Mechanicus (Tau), further complicating and deepening their intertwined lives. As of late 2024, despite not being romantically involved, Musk and Grimes were reportedly house hunting together in Bel Air, seeking a shared residence to co-parent their children and accommodate Musk’s other families, highlighting a continued commitment to family despite their romantic separation.
Shivon Zilis: The Neuralink Executive and Mother of Twins and Triplets
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749×0:751×2)/shivon-zilis-6984773561984477b84179b449a3b3c8.jpg)
Shivon Zilis, an executive at Elon Musk’s company Neuralink, is another significant partner in his life, albeit one shrouded in more privacy. In 2022, it was reported that Musk fathered twins, Strider and Azure, with Zilis in November 2021. Court documents revealed their request for the twins to carry Musk’s last name and Zilis’ last name as part of their middle name. Musk responded to the news by referencing the “underpopulation crisis,” a recurring theme in his public statements about his growing family.
Zilis has stated that her relationship with Musk was never romantic and that the twins were conceived through IVF. Intriguingly, the twins were born just weeks before Musk and Grimes welcomed their daughter Y, overlapping timelines in his expanding family. In June 2024, it was confirmed that Musk and Zilis had welcomed a third child together, further expanding their family, though details about this child remain undisclosed.
Ashley St. Clair: The Latest Partner and Mother of His Thirteenth Child
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(620×0:622×2)/Ashley-St-Clair-021525-a1a841fd7770471b901a3ff3de017521.jpg)
Ashley St. Clair, an author and commentator, is the most recent publicly known partner of Elon Musk. In February 2025, St. Clair announced on X (formerly Twitter) the birth of Musk’s thirteenth child, born five months prior. She cited privacy concerns for her initial silence but indicated that media attention necessitated her public disclosure.
St. Clair’s representative, Brian Glicklich, stated that she and Musk were working privately on an agreement regarding their child’s upbringing and urged Musk to publicly acknowledge his paternity to end speculation. In a now-deleted post, St. Clair reportedly claimed Musk desired to have more children with her, adding another layer to the ongoing narrative of Elon Musk’s expansive family and partnerships.
Conclusion: The Complex Web of Elon Musk’s Relationships
Elon Musk’s history of elon musk partners reveals a complex and multifaceted individual whose personal life is as dynamic and unconventional as his professional endeavors. From college sweetheart Jennifer Gwynne to his multiple marriages and co-parenting arrangements with Justine Musk, Talulah Riley, Grimes, Shivon Zilis, and Ashley St. Clair, his relationships reflect a life lived in the public eye, marked by both intense partnerships and intricate family dynamics. As Elon Musk continues to shape the future of technology, his personal life remains a subject of public fascination, underscoring the intertwined nature of celebrity, innovation, and modern relationships.
