The mysterious billionaire businessman Elon Musk has once again drawn attention from the internet, but this time it’s not for a ground-breaking scientific advancement or a bold space exploration project. Rather, it’s a unique window into his private life that has garnered a lot of attention.
On May 4th, 2024, Musk took to his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to share a heartfelt tribute to his eldest son with ex-partner Grimes, X Æ A-Xii, affectionately known as X. The occasion? X’s fourth birthday. Accompanying Musk’s message was a rare photograph of the young boy, radiating joy as he sat on what appeared to be a reception desk.
For someone as notoriously private as Musk, this gesture of sharing a glimpse into his family life is significant. While he maintains a highly visible presence in the media due to his various business ventures, Musk has largely kept his personal life shielded from public scrutiny. However, his occasional glimpses into his role as a father offer a rare insight into the man behind the visionary entrepreneur.
X, now four years old, represents just one facet of Musk’s intricate family tree. The SpaceX founder is a father of 11 children, each with their own unique story within the broader narrative of his life.
Musk’s journey into fatherhood began with his first marriage to Canadian-born author Justine Wilson Musk. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Nevada Alexander, in 2002. Tragically, Nevada passed away at just 10 weeks old, a loss that undoubtedly left a profound impact on Musk and his family.
Musk and Wilson continued to have five more children together after this tragic setback: triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian; they also had twins Vivian and Gryphon. But in the end, Musk’s marriage ended in divorce in 2008, which signalled the start of his complicated parenthood relationship.
In the years that followed, Musk’s romantic entanglements and expanding family continued to unfold in the public eye. From his marriages to actress Talulah Riley to his high-profile relationship with Amber Heard, Musk’s personal life has been subject to intense media scrutiny.
However, it was his relationship with musician Grimes that captured the public’s imagination most intensely. The couple’s union produced not only a child but a name that sparked widespread fascination and debate: X Æ A-Xii. Born in 2020, X’s unique moniker reflects his parents’ shared interests in technology, artificial intelligence, and science fiction.
Despite their highly publicized breakup in 2022, Musk and Grimes continue to co-parent their children, including X, Exa Dark Sideræl, and Techno Mechanicus, the latter of whom was born in 2023. While their romantic relationship may have ended, their commitment to their children remains unwavering.
Beyond his relationships with his ex-partners, Musk’s family extends to include children from other unions, including twins Strider and Azure, born to Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis in 2021. Musk’s expanding brood underscores his belief in the importance of family and his commitment to ensuring a bright future for the next generation.
As Musk navigates the complexities of fatherhood amidst his myriad professional responsibilities, his occasional glimpses into his personal life serve as a reminder of the humanity behind the larger-than-life persona. While he may be best known for his groundbreaking innovations and ambitious visions for the future, Musk’s most significant legacy may ultimately be the love and guidance he provides to his children.
Musk poignantly reminds us that beyond the headlines and the hoopla, there is a deeply personal story of love, sorrow, and survival by posting a rare photo of his son X on his fourth birthday. In addition, he encourages us to consider the common pleasures and difficulties of parenthood that unite all of us, regardless of celebrity or wealth, as we celebrate his children’s accomplishments.
