The Two Wives And Double Divorces: Untangling Elon Musk's Marital History

Elon Musk’s personal life has often been as public and complex as his business ventures, moving at a speed that is difficult for the public to track. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the tech mogul has officially been married to two women, though the timeline is complicated by a unique decision to marry one of them twice. This deep dive untangles the official marriages, the complex divorces, and the lives of the two women who were officially granted the title of Mrs. Musk. The narrative of Musk’s love life spans two decades, from his college days to his current status as a father of at least 13 children with three different partners. While high-profile relationships with singer Grimes (Claire Boucher) and actress Amber Heard have dominated headlines, it is Canadian author Justine Wilson and English actress Talulah Riley who hold the distinction of being his legal wives. Their stories offer a fascinating look behind the curtain of one of the world’s most powerful figures.

The Official Wives of Elon Musk: A Complete Profile

To truly understand the dynamic of Elon Musk’s personal life, one must look at the women he chose to marry. Both women are accomplished professionals in their own right, with careers that span literature and film.

1. Justine Wilson (First Wife)

• Full Name: Jennifer Justine Wilson (now Justine Musk)
• Nationality: Canadian
• Profession: Author, Novelist
• Met Musk: While studying at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, in the early 1990s.
• Marriage Date: 2000
• Divorce Date: 2008
• Children: Six sons (Nevada Alexander, who tragically died of SIDS at 10 weeks; twins Griffin and Vivian Jenna; and triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian).
• Notable Career: Specializes in dark urban fantasy novels. Her works include *BloodAngel* (2005) and *Uninvited* (2007). She is also famous for her 2010 *Marie Claire* essay, "I Was a Starter Wife," which detailed the end of their marriage.

2. Talulah Riley (Second Wife - Married Twice)

• Full Name: Talulah Jane Riley-Milburn
• Nationality: English (British)
• Profession: Actress and Writer
• Met Musk: In 2008, shortly after his divorce from Justine Wilson.
• First Marriage: 2010
• First Divorce: 2012
• Second Marriage: 2013
• Second Divorce: 2016 (finalized)
• Children: None with Elon Musk.
• Notable Career: Prominent roles in major films like *Pride & Prejudice* (2005), *St Trinian's* (2007), Christopher Nolan’s *Inception* (2010), and *Thor: The Dark World* (2013). She also played the role of Miss Evangelista in the *Doctor Who* episodes "Silence in the Library" and "Forest of the Dead." She recently married actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster in 2024.

Justine Wilson: The 'Starter Wife' and Literary Voice

Justine Wilson, who now goes by Justine Musk, was Elon Musk’s first wife and a pivotal figure in his early life. They met in college, a time when Musk was still a budding entrepreneur, long before the massive success of PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX. Their relationship began with a persistent pursuit by Musk, which Wilson eventually conceded to. The couple married in 2000 and moved to Los Angeles. Their marriage was marked by both immense joy and profound tragedy. Their first child, Nevada Alexander, was born in 2002 but tragically died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) at just ten weeks old. Following this devastating loss, the couple turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and welcomed twins, Griffin and Vivian Jenna, in 2004, followed by triplets, Kai, Saxon, and Damian, in 2006. The marriage ended in 2008, with Wilson later writing the controversial and widely-read essay "I Was a Starter Wife," where she spoke candidly about the difficulties of being married to a man of intense drive and power. She has since built a successful career as a dark urban fantasy author, maintaining a co-parenting relationship with Musk for their five surviving children. Her literary work, often exploring themes of power and identity, is seen by many as reflecting her personal journey.

Talulah Riley: The Double Marriage Anomaly

The relationship between Elon Musk and Talulah Riley is perhaps the most unconventional aspect of his marital history, defined by two separate marriages and two divorces. They first met in a London nightclub in 2008, and their connection was immediate. Their first wedding took place in 2010, but the marriage was short-lived, with Musk filing for divorce in early 2012. However, the separation did not last. The couple reconciled and remarried in a second ceremony in 2013. This second attempt at marriage lasted slightly longer, but Musk filed for divorce again in 2014, only to withdraw the filing. Riley eventually filed for divorce in 2016, which was finalized, bringing their complex, on-again, off-again relationship to a definitive end. Riley, a respected English actress, continued to pursue her career throughout the relationship, appearing in major Hollywood productions. Her roles in films like *Inception* and *Thor: The Dark World* cemented her status as a working actress. The tumultuous nature of their relationship became a subject of public fascination, but both Musk and Riley have spoken respectfully of each other post-divorce. Riley recently moved on to another high-profile relationship, marrying *Love Actually* and *Game of Thrones* actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster in 2024.

Beyond Marriage: The Expanding Musk Family Tree

While Justine Wilson and Talulah Riley are the only women Elon Musk has officially married, his subsequent high-profile relationships have been just as consequential, particularly regarding his expanding family. Following his final split from Talulah Riley, Musk entered into a relationship with actress Amber Heard, which was highly publicized but did not result in marriage. The next significant partnership was with Canadian musician Grimes (Claire Boucher). Their relationship, which began in 2018, produced three children: X Æ A-Xii, Exa Dark Sideræl, and Techno Mechanicus (Tau). The most recent updates, as of early 2025, highlight the complexity of his current family structure. Musk also shares twins with Shivon Zilis, a top executive at his neurotechnology company, Neuralink. Most recently, in February 2025, author Ashley St. Clair announced the birth of Musk's 13th child, further cementing his status as a prolific father. Musk’s focus, as he has stated, is on the "underpopulation crisis," which he believes is a major threat to human civilization. His personal life, therefore, is often viewed through the lens of this public mission, with his relationships and the births of his children becoming part of a larger, ongoing narrative about the future of humanity. In summary, Elon Musk has had two wives: Justine Wilson (2000-2008) and Talulah Riley (2010-2012 and 2013-2016). Both women are successful in their own fields, and their marriages to the billionaire entrepreneur form the foundational chapter of his complex and ever-evolving relationship timeline. The current focus remains on his co-parenting dynamics with his former partners and the continued growth of his large family.