Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a constant headline-grabber, is no stranger to public scrutiny, especially when it comes to his love life. From tech ventures like SpaceX and Tesla to his high-profile relationships, Musk’s personal connections are almost as intriguing as his career.
The billionaire entrepreneur has been linked to several notable women, including Canadian musician Grimes, with whom he shares three children, and Shivon Zilis, a Neuralink executive and mother to another three of his children. He’s also reportedly been involved with stars like Cameron Diaz and Amber Heard. Musk is believed to have fathered at least 12 children, making his family life as dynamic as his business ventures.
Despite his busy schedule, Musk has found time for three marriages—although only with two women. Let’s revisit these relationships in chronological order:
All Elon Musk’s wives in order
First Wife: Justine Wilson
Elon Musk’s first marriage was to Canadian author Justine Wilson, known for her novels BloodAngel and Lord of Bones. The two met in the early 1990s while studying at Queen’s University in Ontario and tied the knot in 2000.
The couple had six children together: twins born in 2004, triplets in 2006, and a son born in 2002 who tragically passed away at six weeks old due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
In a candid 2010 Marie Claire interview, Justine referred to herself as Musk’s “starter wife” and revealed moments like him declaring, “I am the alpha in this relationship” during their wedding dance. They divorced in 2008 and now share custody of their five surviving children.
Second Wife: Talulah Riley
Six weeks after separating from Justine, Musk began dating Talulah Riley, an English actress 14 years his junior. Known for her roles in Pride & Prejudice (2005), St Trinian’s (2007), and Westworld, Riley married Musk in 2010 at Scotland’s Dornoch Cathedral.
However, the marriage didn’t last. They divorced in 2012, with Musk tweeting at the time, “@rileytalulah It was an amazing four years. I will love you forever. You will make someone very happy one day.”
Third Wife: Talulah Riley (Again)
In 2013, Musk and Riley rekindled their romance and remarried. The second attempt lasted longer, but not by much—Musk filed for divorce in 2014 (though he briefly withdrew the request) and finalized the split in 2016. They had no children together.
Despite their parting, Riley has spoken fondly of Musk in interviews, saying, “I loved/love the guy, so I’m incredibly subjective… You know what being in love is, right?” Riley has since moved on and married actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster, known for Love Actually and The Maze Runner. The couple wed in 2024.
From high-profile relationships to fathering a dozen children, Musk’s personal life adds yet another layer to his already larger-than-life persona. While his marriages may not have lasted, they continue to generate interest, offering a glimpse into the private world of one of the planet’s most public figures.