In 2018, Musk began dating Canadian musician Grimes, and in May 2020, they welcomed a son named X AE A-XII. The unique name quickly became a topic of discussion online. Grimes explained on social media that “X” represents “the unknown variable,” while “Æ” is shorthand for “Artificial intelligence” and symbolizes love in several languages. Musk later clarified the pronunciation in an interview, stating, “It’s just X, the letter X. The Æ is pronounced ‘Ash,’ and A-12 refers to my contribution.”
In a 2022 Vanity Fair interview, Grimes revealed that she and Musk had welcomed a daughter, Exa Dark Sideræl, in December 2021 via surrogate. Nicknamed “Y,” Exa’s name carries symbolic meanings—”Exa” referencing supercomputing capabilities, “Dark” signifying the unknown, and “Sideræl” representing “deep space time” rather than Earth’s time. The name also serves as a nod to Grimes’ favorite Lord of the Rings character, Galadriel. The birth occurred just months after the couple’s public breakup.
Court documents obtained by Business Insider revealed that Musk fathered twins with Shivon Zilis, an executive at Neuralink, in November 2021—shortly before Grimes gave birth to Exa. The couple reportedly petitioned for the twins to take Musk’s last name and Zilis’ last name as part of their middle names. The petition was approved in May 2022.
Musk’s relationships with his children and co-parents are as complex as his business ventures. Despite his busy schedule running Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures, he has spoken about the importance of family. “Children are the future,” Musk once tweeted. However, his hands-off approach has also been a topic of discussion. In a 2020 New York Times interview, Musk admitted that his contribution as a father was limited during the early years of his children’s lives, stating, “There’s not much I can do at this stage. Grimes has a much bigger role than me right now.”
Musk’s public musings on parenthood often tie back to his overarching philosophy about humanity and the future. He has repeatedly voiced concerns about declining birth rates, calling it “one of the biggest risks to civilization.”
In 2021, Musk tweeted, “If people don’t have more kids, civilization is going to crumble. Mark my words.” His personal life, prolific as it may seem, aligns with his belief in the necessity of larger families to ensure humanity’s survival.
Musk’s approach to family life has not been without its critics. Some have questioned the challenges of raising such a large family across multiple households, particularly given Musk’s demanding professional commitments. Others have pointed out the potential emotional complexities for his children, especially in light of Vivian’s decision to distance herself from him. Musk’s controversial statements on gender identity have further fueled debates about his parenting style and personal values.
As one of the most influential figures of the 21st century, Musk’s legacy extends beyond his technological achievements. His children represent a new generation, each poised to inherit not only his wealth but also his vision for the future. While it remains to be seen how they will navigate life in the spotlight, there’s no doubt that Musk’s family will continue to capture public interest for years to come.
Elon Musk’s family life is as complex and intriguing as his professional career. Despite facing challenges in co-parenting and public scrutiny, he remains a strong advocate for large families and their role in shaping the future. As his children grow, the world will undoubtedly watch closely to see how they carry forward their father’s extraordinary legacy.