Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, is also a father to 12 children with three different mothers. Tragically, one of his children passed away as an infant, but his large family continues to capture widespread curiosity. From unique names to private lives, here’s a closer look at all of Elon Musk's children, their names, and their mothers.
Breaking Down Elon Musk’s Children by Their Mothers:
Elon Musk’s Children with Justine Wilson
Elon Musk's first wife, Canadian author Justine Wilson, is the mother of his first six children. They married in 2000 and divorced in 2008.
Nevada Alexander Musk Born in 2002, Nevada was Elon and Justine's first child. Tragically, he passed away at 10 weeks old due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Griffin Musk
Born in 2004, Griffin is one of the twins conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Vivian Jenna Wilson Also born in 2004 as Xavier Musk, she is Griffin's twin. In 2022, she legally changed her name to Vivian Jenna Wilson and came out as transgender, adopting her mother's maiden name.
Kai Musk Born in 2006, Kai is one of the triplets conceived via IVF.
Saxon Musk Also born in 2006, Saxon is another of the triplets.
Damian Musk The third of the triplets, Damian was born in 2006.
Elon Musk’s Children with Claire Boucher (Grimes)
Elon Musk's relationship with Canadian musician Grimes resulted in three children.
X Æ A-Xii Musk Born in May 2020, their son's name combines various symbols and letters, often simplified to "X."
Exa Dark Sideræl Musk Nicknamed "Y," she was born via surrogate in December 2021.
Techno Mechanicus Referred to as "Tau," his existence was revealed in September 2023.
Elon Musk’s Children with Shivon Zilis
Shivon Zilis, an executive at Neuralink, welcomed twins with Elon Musk.
Strider Zilis Musk
Born in November 2021.
Azure Zilis Musk
Also born in November 2021.
Unnamed Child
In early 2024, Musk and Zilis welcomed another child, whose details remain private.
The Role of Family in Elon Musk's Life
Elon Musk has frequently emphasized the importance of family, not only as a personal priority but also as part of his broader philosophy about ensuring humanity’s survival. Musk is a father to 12 children, though tragically one passed away as an infant. He is known to take an active role in the lives of his remaining children despite his demanding career. To spend as much time with his children as possible, Musk has reportedly purchased a house in Texas where two of the mothers of his children, Grimes and Shivon Zilis, live nearby. This arrangement allows him to be more present in their lives, a commitment he has publicly stated is very important to him.
Balancing innovation and fatherhood, Musk continues to shape his legacy not only as a groundbreaking entrepreneur but also as a devoted parent striving to build a meaningful connection with each of his children. Elon Musk's family is as multifaceted as his ventures, with each child adding a unique layer to his personal story. Their distinctive names and backgrounds continue to fascinate the public, offering a rare glimpse into the personal life of a man who is reshaping the future through projects that aim to revolutionize the world.
Ad Astra to Astra Nova - The School Elon Musk Built for His Children
Elon Musk’s commitment to his children’s education led him, together with educator Joshua Dahn, to create Ad Astra, a private experimental school initially developed for his children and a small group of SpaceX employees' kids. Founded in 2014, the school was designed to foster creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning, emphasizing real-world applications over traditional grading systems and standardized tests. The curriculum included cutting-edge topics like artificial intelligence, coding, and business, with a focus on team-based problem-solving and interactive projects designed to challenge students with real-world scenarios, encouraging critical thinking and innovation.
Unlike traditional schools, Ad Astra rejected standard curricula, focusing instead on customized, student-driven learning experiences. The school’s approach prioritized preparing students for a rapidly evolving future, aligning perfectly with Musk’s vision of fostering adaptability and ingenuity.
Ad Astra later evolved into Astra Nova, continuing to operate with Musk’s and Dahn’s educational philosophy at its core. Although details about his children’s current schooling remain private, Musk’s decision to build a school highlights his dedication to providing an innovative and tailored education for the next generation. His efforts reflect his commitment to giving his children, and others, the tools to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Musk’s children reportedly attended Ad Astra until around the age of 14, after which he believed they should transition to the "real world" for their high school education. Reflecting on this in Walter Isaacson’s biography Elon Musk, he stated:
"They went there until they were about fourteen but then I thought they should be introduced to the real world for high school. What I should have done is extend Ad Astra through high school."
This reflection highlights Musk’s ongoing dedication to innovating education, even as he evaluates and learns from his past decisions.
Elon Musk and the Concern Over Declining Birth Rates
Elon Musk has frequently expressed his concern about global birth rates, describing it as one of the greatest threats to humanity’s future. On X (formerly Twitter), he has shared statistics highlighting that many countries now fall below the “replacement level” of 2.1 children per woman. According to data from the United Nations, nations such as Japan, Italy, and South Korea have birth rates as low as 1.3 or even lower, leading to rapidly aging populations and significant economic and social challenges. Musk has warned that if this trend continues, it could result in labor shortages and diminished global growth, making it increasingly difficult to sustain current welfare systems. His own large family is often seen as a personal stance against this worrying trend.
The Fascination with Elon Musk’s Kids
Elon Musk's children have garnered significant public interest due to their unique names, diverse backgrounds, and the circumstances of their births. With millions of searches online each year about his family, it’s clear that people are captivated by the personal side of one of the world’s most innovative figures. Despite his high-profile career, Musk has expressed his commitment to being present for his children and balancing his role as a visionary leader with that of a father. By raising a large family, he embodies his belief in the importance of addressing declining birth rates while fostering independence and critical thinking in his kids.
Elon Musk’s family continues to spark curiosity and capture the world’s attention, offering a personal glimpse into the life of one of the most influential figures shaping our future.
In many ways, his children reflect his unrelenting drive for innovation and his belief in creating a better future, both on a personal and global scale.
