5 Shocking Facts About Vivian Jenna Wilson: Elon Musk's Transgender Daughter Who Legally Cut All Ties

The highly public and deeply personal saga involving tech mogul Elon Musk and his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, has escalated dramatically in 2024, bringing a private family matter into the global spotlight. This article, updated on December 18, 2025, details the full journey of Vivian’s transition, her legal decision to sever all ties with her father, and the ongoing, contentious public statements from the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX that have fueled a massive culture war debate. Vivian's decision to change her name and gender identity is a powerful statement of self-determination, but it has been met with a barrage of public criticism and deeply personal commentary from her father, creating a complex and painful narrative that extends far beyond the family unit. The latest developments focus heavily on Musk's repeated use of his platform to condemn gender-affirming care and the "woke mind virus," a term he frequently employs to describe ideologies he opposes.

Vivian Jenna Wilson: A Full Biography and Profile

Vivian Jenna Wilson, born Xavier Alexander Musk, is the eldest daughter of Elon Musk and his first wife, Canadian author Justine Wilson. Her life has been under intense scrutiny due to her father's global fame and her own courageous decision to live authentically.

• Full Name: Vivian Jenna Wilson
• Former Name (Birth Name): Xavier Alexander Musk
• Date of Birth: April 15, 2004
• Age (as of late 2025): 21
• Parents: Elon Musk (Father) and Justine Wilson (Mother)
• Siblings: A twin brother, Griffin Musk, and triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian Musk. She also has half-siblings from her father's other relationships, including X Æ A-Xii and Exa Dark Sideræl.
• Mother's Maiden Name: Wilson (adopted as her new surname)
• Legal Action: Filed for a name and gender change in April 2022, shortly after turning 18.
• Residence: Los Angeles County, California.
• Motivation for Name Change: Stated in court documents that she "no longer lives with or wishes to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form."
• Gender Identity: Transgender woman.

Vivian's journey began to enter the public record in 2020 when she came out as a transgender woman. The legal process for her name change to Vivian Jenna Wilson, adopting her mother's maiden name, was officially completed in 2022 by a Los Angeles County judge.

The Legal Divorce: How Vivian Cut Ties with Elon Musk

The decision by Vivian to legally change her name from Xavier Alexander Musk to Vivian Jenna Wilson was more than a formal recognition of her gender identity; it was a profound, public statement of estrangement from her father. This move, executed after she reached the age of 18, the age of consent in California, allowed her to legally drop the surname "Musk." The court documents filed in Santa Monica, California, were explicit about her motivation. She sought the change not only to align her legal identity with her gender but also to sever "any association" with the Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) owner. This bold action highlighted a significant and irreparable rift within one of the world's most famous families. The new name, Vivian Jenna Wilson, honors her mother, Justine Wilson, a Canadian novelist, by adopting her maiden name. This legal separation occurred amidst Elon Musk's increasing public commentary on the "woke mind virus" and his growing criticism of transgender issues. While the exact timeline of the personal conflict is private, the legal filing in 2022 confirmed the deep personal divide. The court granted the request, legally recognizing her new name and female gender.

Elon Musk's Shocking 2024 Public Statements and the "Woke Virus" Controversy

The most recent and contentious developments in this story revolve around Elon Musk’s repeated and unprompted public commentary on his daughter’s transition throughout 2024. These statements, often made on his own social media platform X, have sparked widespread backlash and intensified the debate over gender-affirming care and parental support. In a highly publicized interview with commentator Jordan Peterson in July 2024, Musk claimed that he was "tricked" by "experts" into accepting his daughter's consumption of puberty blockers. He went on to describe his daughter as being figuratively "killed" by gender-affirming care, which he believes has led to a "tragic mental illness." He also vowed to "destroy the woke" movement, framing his daughter's transition as a personal tragedy caused by this "evil woke mind virus."

The Governor Newsom Feud and Public Misgendering

The controversy reached a fever pitch in June 2024 during a heated social media exchange between Elon Musk and California Governor Gavin Newsom's press office. In his response, Musk publicly misgendered and deadnamed his daughter, referring to her as his "son" and claiming she was battling a "tragic mental illness" caused by the "evil woke mind virus" that Newsom allegedly promotes. These comments led to a significant public reaction. Vivian Jenna Wilson herself subtly responded to her father’s public insults by updating her social media bios, using the very words he used against her as a form of reclaiming her narrative. This act of resistance highlighted the ongoing nature of the personal and public conflict. The public feud has drawn in other figures, including Nicki Minaj, who also weighed in on the "trans kids" comment, further amplifying the visibility of the dispute.

The Impact on the Transgender Community and Public Discourse

Vivian Jenna Wilson's story has become a flashpoint in the broader cultural and political conversation surrounding transgender rights and parental acceptance. For many in the LGBTQ+ community, Vivian represents a powerful example of an individual choosing their own path, even when faced with the immense pressure and public disapproval of a globally famous parent. The use of terms like "woke mind virus" by a figure with the influence of Elon Musk is seen by critics as harmful and contributing to a climate of hostility toward transgender individuals. Musk's repeated public misgendering and deadnaming of his own child is a painful illustration of non-acceptance that many transgender people face from their families. Conversely, Musk's supporters view his comments as a necessary stand against what they perceive as the overreach of "woke" ideology and gender-affirming care. Regardless of the viewpoint, the highly publicized nature of this family conflict ensures that the conversation about gender identity, autonomy, and parental relationships remains at the forefront of global discourse. Vivian Jenna Wilson's choice to live authentically, despite the consequences, continues to inspire debate and discussion worldwide.