Population collapse due to a falling birthrate is cited by some as a bigger threat than climate change. While the global population grows on a planet with finite resources, Elon Musk has long warned about declining birth rates and a looming demographic crisis. The 51-year-old entrepreneur emphasizes the importance of fatherhood, citing his own prolific family as part of his personal drive.
Colony innovations, autonomous vehicles, and neural chips promise a future shaped by control and intelligence. For more than a decade, Musk has used bold statements to attract investors and boost the value of the companies he leads. This approach helped him achieve immense wealth, yet his public persona and family life have sparked ongoing controversy.
Extended family
Musk’s journey into fatherhood began with a difficult start. His first son, born in 2002, died at ten weeks from sudden infant death syndrome. After that tragedy, Musk and his first wife welcomed five more children before their 2008 split: twin Xavier and Griffin, and triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian. Each child was conceived through assisted reproduction as part of their family planning.
In 2018, Musk began dating the musician Grimes, and two years later they welcomed their first child. The name X Æ A-Xii drew widespread attention for its unconventional spelling, described by the parents as a blend of affection, artificial intelligence, and their favorite aircraft. Last March, the couple announced a second child born via surrogacy. That baby’s name, Exa Dark Sideræl, also drew interest for its mix of tech, space, and mythological influences.
Shortly after, reports emerged that Musk had two additional children with a different partner, according to court documents reported by Business Insider. The mother was Shivon Zilis, a 36-year-old executive who leads a neural technology company founded and chaired by Musk. The twins were reportedly conceived through in vitro methods without a romantic relationship, which contrasted with company norms.
Musk has framed his child-rearing as a personal mission to counter deprivation and assist humanity. Yet not all family dynamics have been smooth. In June, when an adult child who was assigned male at birth chose to transition, the person sought to update legal documents and name, reflecting a shift in identity. Born Xavier Alexander Musk, the individual later chose the name Vivian Jenna Wilson and began using their mother’s surname. They stated they no longer wished to be connected with their biological father in official records.
Following in his father’s footsteps
Elon is not the only Musk linked to large families and intense public scrutiny. His father, Errol Musk, has seven children and a history of controversial paternity claims. The elder Musk and his wife Maye had three children in quick succession, including Elon, Kimbal, and Tosca.
Errol’s relationship with his eldest son has been fraught. In an interview this past August, Errol suggested he had mixed feelings about his son’s achievements in electric vehicles and space exploration. Maye Musk later disclosed a history of abuse, and Elon has described his father as controlling. A Rolling Stone interview quoted Elon as saying his father was prima facie difficult.
After Maye and Errol separated, Errol married Heidi Mari Musk. During an eighteen-year marriage, he had two biological daughters, Asha Rose and Alexandra. Heidi-Mari also had a daughter from a prior relationship, Jana Bezuidenhout, who joined the family when she was four.
Two decades later, another divorce led to further family tensions. At the age of 70, Errol began a relationship with his stepdaughter, who was 41 years younger. Jana, once Elon’s half-sister, became his stepmother. She later described it as a matter of fate or nature.
The couple welcomed their first child, Elliot Rush, in 2017. The news sparked strong reactions within the family. In 2019, they welcomed Emily. The couple kept the child’s birth private until this summer, when Errol confirmed the news with a pointed remark about their views on life and reproduction.