Elon Musk, the tech billionaire known for his ventures like SpaceX and Tesla, has been married and divorced twice, and the financial settlements in both of his divorces have garnered significant attention. Musk's wealth, estimated in the billions, naturally led to speculation about how much his ex-wives would receive as part of their divorce settlements. Here’s a breakdown of the figures and the details surrounding both high-profile separations.
First Marriage: Justine Musk
Elon Musk’s first marriage was to Justine Musk (née Wilson), a Canadian author. The couple married in 2000 and divorced in 2008 after eight years of marriage.
While the exact terms of the settlement were not publicly disclosed, it is believed that Justine Musk received a significant financial settlement. Some reports suggest that she was awarded $20 million as part of the divorce. However, the most notable aspect of the split was the custody arrangement for their five children, as well as the emotional and financial costs of the divorce.
Justine has previously spoken about the emotional strain of their marriage and divorce, especially the strain of raising children while Musk was heavily focused on his businesses. However, she has also praised Musk for his ability to be a dedicated father to their children after the split.
Second Marriage: Talulah Riley
Elon Musk’s second marriage was to Talulah Riley, a British actress. The couple married in 2010 and divorced for the first time in 2012, only to remarry in 2013 and divorce again in 2016.
This relationship was notably more complex, with Musk and Riley calling it quits twice. In the end, Talulah Riley received a reported $16 million settlement after their second divorce in 2016.
Unlike his first marriage, the details surrounding their divorce were kept more private, but Riley did not receive a massive share of Musk’s wealth. Some reports suggest that Riley walked away with a portion of the properties and assets that the couple had accumulated, including a few of the homes they shared. Interestingly, despite their separations, Musk and Riley have remained on good terms post-divorce, often maintaining a friendly relationship.
Public Reaction and Speculation
Given Musk’s immense fortune, many were curious about how his divorces would unfold. Some critics argue that his ex-wives were underpaid compared to other high-profile divorces in Hollywood, where settlements can soar into the hundreds of millions. Others point out that Musk’s wealth, at the time of his first marriage, was still growing, and he was not yet the tech mogul he is today.