The world’s richest and arguably most headline-grabbing technocrat, Elon Musk, tends to dominate discussions about innovation, electric vehicles, and space exploration. Yet, behind the curtain of his public persona lies a complex family structure that has also drawn public curiosity. Musk, who helms companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), is the father of a growing brood whose names, personal stories, and upbringings are as uniquely unconventional as the billionaire himself.
Elon Musk’s approach to fatherhood has been both revealing and private, providing occasional glimpses into the lives of his children—sometimes by accident, sometimes by intent. As the Musk family keeps expanding, their names, ages, and the intricacies of their relationships continue to intrigue the public, adding additional layers to the Elon Musk narrative that stretches well beyond technology.
Elon Musk’s children represent a new generation of Musks, each with a distinct background and growing up amidst an environment of global scrutiny and innovation. Musk currently has ten known children, from twins and triplets born during his first marriage to more recent arrivals with pop musician Grimes and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis.
Here’s a chronological breakdown of Elon Musk’s children, their birth years, and co-parents:
Nevada was Musk’s first child, who tragically died of SIDS at 10 weeks.
Griffin Musk (2004)
One of a set of twins.
Vivian Jenna Wilson (formerly Xavier Musk, 2004)
Twin of Griffin; publicly changed her name and gender in 2022.
Kai Musk (2006)
One of Musk’s triplets.
Saxon Musk (2006)
Also part of the triplets.
Damian Musk (2006)
The third triplet sibling.
X Æ A-12 Musk (renamed X AE A-Xii, 2020)
Known as “X,” became famous for his unique name, which required modifications to comply with California law.
Exa Dark Sideræl Musk (nicknamed “Y,” 2021)
Born via surrogate.
Twins with Shivon Zilis (Strider and Azure Musk, 2021)
It’s worth emphasizing that the Musk family’s structure is ever-evolving and details continue to emerge, as is common with high-profile families constantly in the public gaze.
Elon Musk’s relationships with the mothers of his children have often garnered as much media attention as his business ventures. His first wife, Justine Wilson, is a Canadian author with whom Musk shares five living children—twins and triplets born through in vitro fertilization (IVF), after the tragic loss of their infant son Nevada. Grimes, a Canadian singer-songwriter, has publicly discussed co-parenting their two children, often drawing headlines for the couple’s unusual choices in naming and parenting. Shivon Zilis, an executive at one of Musk’s companies, represents another branch of Musk’s growing extended family.
In stark contrast to the traditionally private approach of many high-net-worth individuals, Musk has sometimes leveraged the power of social media to reveal glimpses into his family life. For instance, the announcement of X Æ A-12’s birth—in both tweet and photo—quickly trended worldwide and prompted legal and linguistic debates over baby names. However, Musk’s older children have largely stayed out of the public eye, particularly as they have grown older and sought privacy.
Musk’s daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, made headlines when she changed her name and sought to cut family ties, citing personal and gender identity reasons. This event, and Musk’s reportedly strained relationship with her, point to the challenges faced by children growing up in the glare of public attention.
Naming conventions within the Musk family have repeatedly made news due to their innovation (and, at times, controversy). Musk and Grimes’ choices—X AE A-Xii and Exa Dark Sideræl—triggered discussions about identity, legality, and technology’s role in shaping a new era of parenting. Where most public figures avoid placing a spotlight on their children, Musk’s transparency around his newborns’ unusual monikers seemed designed, in part, to challenge societal norms.
“Elon Musk’s parenting partly reflects his willingness to challenge convention, both with technology and with his family,” notes a Silicon Valley columnist. “His choices around privacy, names, and educational freedom show he’s as much a disruptor at home as he is in business.”
Unsurprisingly, the children’s upbringings have diverged from the norm as well. Instead of traditional schooling, Musk has disclosed that his children attend Ad Astra—a private experimental school he reportedly founded to foster creativity and problem-solving, eschewing grades and standardized testing for a hands-on, curiosity-based curriculum.
Growing up as one of “Elon Musk’s kids” means existing at the intersection of privacy and extraordinary exposure. For example, X AE A-Xii has appeared on stage at SpaceX events and features in the occasional candid photo, prompting questions about how children of high-profile figures adapt to this level of visibility. In some cases, such exposure can provide unique opportunities, while at other times it may create additional challenges related to identity, privacy, and normalcy.
Given Elon Musk’s significant wealth, influence, and polarizing opinions, his children’s futures are a source of constant speculation. While certain children have made deliberate moves to distance themselves from their father or embrace distinctive personal identities, others have remained out of the press. The public, inevitably, considers whether they will inherit Musk’s entrepreneurial drive or seek independent paths altogether.
Yet, despite media speculation, Musk has repeatedly emphasized the importance of hands-on engagement:
“Children are our greatest responsibility and priority, and nurturing their abilities is what matters most,” Musk said in a rare interview touching upon fatherhood.
Whether his children will choose lives in or outside the public eye remains to be seen, but their stories will continue to be shaped by both family legacy and personal choice.
The family life of Elon Musk serves as an instructive counterpoint to the relentless professional achievements that define his public image. Each of his children brings their own complex story, informed by fame, innovation, and the ongoing tension between privacy and notoriety. Beyond the sensational headlines lie deeply personal narratives that illustrate the realities of growing up Musk: the privilege and pressure, the expectation and the opportunity, and ultimately, the freedom to chart one’s own course.
Elon Musk has ten known children, though his family structure has evolved over the years with different partners and changing circumstances.
His children include Nevada (deceased), Griffin, Vivian Jenna Wilson, Kai, Saxon, Damian, X AE A-Xii (“X”), Exa Dark Sideræl (“Y”), and twins Strider and Azure Musk.
Elon Musk has children with Canadian author Justine Wilson, musician Grimes (Claire Boucher), and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis.
Musk and Grimes are known for choosing unconventional, tech-inspired names for their children, sparking discussion about individuality, identity, and societal norms.
Some of Musk’s children have appeared at public events or on social media, but others, especially those from his first marriage, mostly lead private lives.
While Musk occasionally references his family in interviews or tweets, he tends to keep detailed discussions about his children limited, focusing instead on broader issues or business matters.
Finding the perfect modern enthusiast car has traditionally meant scanning classified ads or roaming auction…
Dubbed the “secret weapon” during cold and flu season by many Starbucks customers, the Medicine…
The Toyota Tundra has cemented its reputation among full-size pickup trucks, offering reliability, value, and…
Precision in the kitchen can make the difference between culinary triumph and a disappointing dish.…
Navigating the Epic Return of a Global Phenomenon Few television series have captured global attention…
From captivating audiences in Emmy-nominated performances to making waves on fashion runways, Sydney Sweeney is…