Why Does Elon Have So Many Kids?

By Nikki Thrace. Nov 3, 2024

Elon Musk, the tech billionaire behind Tesla^® and SpaceX^®, has a rapidly growing family that now officially includes 12 children with three different women. From the tragic loss of his first child to the recent birth of his 12th, Musk’s family keeps growing. Here’s a look at Musk’s expanding brood, their unique names, and his motivation for having so many kids.

Meet the First 6: Justine Wilson’s Children

Elon Musk and his first wife, Canadian author Justine Wilson, share six children. Their firstborn, Nevada Alexander, tragically passed away from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in 2002 when he was just 10 weeks old. Following this, the couple turned to IVF, resulting in twins, Griffin and Vivian, born in 2004. The now 20-year-olds were followed by triplet brothers Kai, Saxon, and Damian, born in 2006.

Vivian, who is a transgender woman, made headlines in 2022 after legally changing her name to Vivian Wilson and distancing herself from her father, citing her gender identity and strained relationship with Musk.

Grimes: The Mother of Musk’s Next Three

Musk began a high-profile relationship with singer Grimes in 2018, and their first child, X AE A-XII, was born in 2020. Their son, whose name was initially deemed illegal under California law, is now simply called X and is currently 4 years old. Grimes and Musk welcomed their second child, a daughter named Exa Dark Sideræl, via surrogate in 2021. Nicknamed Y, she is now 2 years old.

The pair’s third child, Techno Mechanicus, also known as Tau, was a secret until it was revealed in a 2023 biography about Musk. Very little is known about Tau, who is believed to have been born around June 2022.

Shivon Zilis: Twins and Beyond

In a quieter chapter of Musk’s life, he welcomed twins Strider and Azure in November 2021 with Neuralink^® executive Shivon Zilis. The twins’ names were made public in 2023, and both are now 2 years old. Most recently, Musk and Zilis had a third child, born in early 2024, although details about the child’s name and gender have been kept private.

A Father of 12 and Counting?

Musk’s 12th child has joined the family, adding another chapter to the ever-expanding Musk dynasty. Musk has gone on record as a supporter of people having lots of children. As reported by WIRED, Musk said, “If people don’t have more children, civilization is going to crumble.”

Elon Musk’s journey as a father is just as complex and public as his career in tech. With 12 children born across multiple relationships, Musk’s family is a fascinating blend of personalities, names, stories, and drama - a testament to the tech mogul’s bold approach to both business and parenthood.

References: Who Are Elon Musk’s Kids? His 12 Children’s Names, Ages, and Mothers | Elon Musk’s 12 Children: All About His Kids and Their Mothers | The Real Reason Elon Musk Wants You to Have More Babies