Elon Musk’s Family: A Deep Dive into His 12 Children and Their Three Mothers

Elon Musk, the enigmatic billionaire behind Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, is as well-known for his groundbreaking innovations as he is for his unconventional personal life. Beyond his business ventures, Musk is a father to 12 children, born to three different women over the span of two decades. His family story is one of complexity, loss, and a steadfast commitment to expanding his lineage—a reflection, perhaps, of his belief in combating population decline. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Musk’s children, their mothers, and the fascinating details that define this extraordinary family.

Justine Wilson: The First Chapter of Fatherhood

Elon Musk’s journey into parenthood began with Justine Wilson, a Canadian author he met while both were students at Queen’s University in Ontario. Their relationship blossomed in the late 1990s, leading to their marriage in 2000. Together, they welcomed six children, though their story is marked by both joy and tragedy.

Their first child, Nevada Alexander Musk, was born in 2002. Tragically, Nevada passed away at just 10 weeks old due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The loss deeply affected the couple, with Justine later reflecting on the emotional toll in a 2010 Marie Claire article. Despite this heartbreak, Musk and Wilson went on to expand their family through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

In 2004, they welcomed twins: Griffin Musk and Vivian Jenna Musk (originally named Xavier Alexander Musk). Vivian, who came out as transgender in 2022 and legally changed her name, has since distanced herself from her father, citing ideological differences. Two years later, in 2006, the couple had triplets—Kai, Saxon, and Damian Musk—again via IVF. These five surviving children form the core of Musk’s early family life with Wilson.

The marriage, however, was not destined to last. By 2008, Musk and Wilson had divorced, with Justine later describing their relationship as tumultuous in her writings. Despite their split, they have maintained a co-parenting arrangement, with the children splitting time between their parents. Musk’s first family reflects both his determination to build a large brood and the personal challenges that come with such an ambitious life.

Grimes: A Cosmic Connection

Musk’s next significant chapter in fatherhood came with Claire Boucher, better known as the musician Grimes. Their relationship, which began in 2018, brought a futuristic flair to Musk’s family narrative. The couple’s unconventional dynamic—blending art, technology, and eccentricity—produced three children, each with names that defy tradition.

Their first child, X Æ A-Xii Musk (often shortened to “X”), was born in May 2020. The name, a blend of cryptic symbols and references, sparked widespread curiosity. Grimes explained it as a nod to an artificial intelligence term (A-12, referencing a Lockheed aircraft), while Musk jokingly likened the pronunciation to a cat stepping on a keyboard. After California officials rejected the original formatting due to legal naming restrictions, the couple adjusted it to X Æ A-Xii.

In December 2021, via surrogate, they welcomed their second child, a daughter named Exa Dark Sideræl Musk, nicknamed “Y.” The name reflects Grimes’ fascination with cosmic and sci-fi themes—Exa referring to a supercomputing unit, Dark to the mysteries of the universe, and Sideræl to a Tolkien-inspired elven concept. The birth was kept private initially, only revealed when a journalist heard a baby crying during an interview at Grimes’ home.

Their third child, Techno Mechanicus Musk (nicknamed “Tau”), arrived in 2022, though details about the birth remained scarce until Grimes confirmed it in a 2023 biography review. The name aligns with Musk’s technological obsessions, evoking images of machinery and innovation. Despite their shared parenthood, Musk and Grimes’ romantic relationship has been on-and-off, with Grimes describing it as fluid in a 2022 Vanity Fair interview. By 2023, tensions emerged, with Grimes filing a petition for parental rights amid reports of restricted access to one of their children.

Shivon Zilis: The Quiet Collaborator

The third woman in Musk’s family saga is Shivon Zilis, a high-ranking executive at Neuralink, one of Musk’s ventures focused on brain-computer interfaces. Unlike his high-profile relationships with Wilson and Grimes, Musk’s connection with Zilis has been more discreet, though no less significant.

In November 2021, Zilis gave birth to twins: Azure Musk and Strider Musk. The timing of their birth—just weeks before Exa’s arrival—raised eyebrows, especially as it coincided with Musk’s vocal advocacy for population growth. Court documents later revealed that Musk and Zilis petitioned to change the twins’ last names to include both parents’ surnames, reflecting a shared commitment to their family unit.

Little is known about Musk and Zilis’ personal relationship, which appears to be rooted in professional collaboration rather than romance. Zilis, a Canadian-born tech expert with degrees from Yale, joined Neuralink in 2017 and has been instrumental in its development. The twins’ names—Azure, meaning a bright blue sky, and Strider, evoking a purposeful walker—suggest a blend of whimsy and intention, consistent with Musk’s naming style.

Reports in 2024 hinted at a possible third child with Zilis, though details remain unconfirmed. Musk’s tendency to keep certain aspects of his personal life private leaves room for speculation, but his partnership with Zilis underscores his pattern of intertwining personal and professional spheres.

A Growing Legacy and a $35 Million Compound

By March 2025, Elon Musk’s family includes 12 known children: five with Justine Wilson (Griffin, Vivian, Kai, Saxon, and Damian), three with Grimes (X, Exa, and Techno), and two confirmed with Shivon Zilis (Azure and Strider), with potential others still under wraps. This tally excludes Nevada, whose brief life remains a poignant footnote in Musk’s story.

Musk’s approach to fatherhood is as unconventional as his career. He has openly championed large families, warning of a “population collapse” in interviews and on social media. This belief has fueled his personal mission to procreate, often sparking debate about his motives—whether driven by ideology, legacy, or simply personal desire.

In 2024, reports surfaced that Musk had purchased a $35 million compound in Austin, Texas, intended as a communal living space for his children and their mothers. The sprawling estate, featuring multiple homes and ample land, reflects his vision of a unified family hub. While ambitious, the plan has faced logistical and emotional hurdles, with not all parties reportedly on board. Grimes, for instance, has expressed mixed feelings about her co-parenting dynamic with Musk, hinting at underlying tensions.

The Musk Children: Names, Personalities, and Futures

Musk’s children bear names that are as distinctive as their father’s persona. From Nevada and Vivian to X and Techno, each reflects a blend of creativity, intellect, and Musk’s futuristic worldview. While some, like Vivian, have stepped into the public eye with their own identities, others remain largely private, their lives shielded from the spotlight.

The older children—now in their late teens and early twenties—are beginning to carve their own paths. The twins and triplets with Wilson, educated in part through Musk’s experimental Ad Astra school, have access to unparalleled resources and opportunities. Meanwhile, the younger ones, like X and Exa, are often seen accompanying Musk at work or public events, embodying his hands-on parenting style.

Conclusion: A Family Like No Other

Elon Musk’s family is a testament to his larger-than-life character—unorthodox, expansive, and endlessly intriguing. With 12 children across three remarkable women, his personal life mirrors the audacity of his professional endeavors. From the literary roots of Justine Wilson to the avant-garde artistry of Grimes and the tech-savvy pragmatism of Shivon Zilis, each mother brings a unique flavor to the Musk dynasty.

As of March 21, 2025, Musk shows no signs of slowing down, either in business or fatherhood. Whether his $35 million compound dream becomes reality or his family continues to evolve in unexpected ways, one thing is clear: Elon Musk’s legacy will endure not just through his innovations, but through the lives of his children, each a piece of his boundless ambition.