The relationship between Elon Musk and Grimes the world is one of the most unconventional celebrity pairings of the 21st century. When the Tesla CEO and SpaceX founder first linked up with the experimental Canadian musician in 2018, their union represented a fascinating collision of two vastly different worlds – cutting-edge technology and avant-garde artistry. What began as an unlikely romance that produced three children and countless headlines ultimately devolved into a bitter custody battle that exposed the darker side of fame, fortune, and fractured relationships.
Their story reads like a modern fairy tale gone wrong: the world’s richest man and a critically acclaimed artist who seemed to share a vision of the future, only to find themselves locked in legal warfare over their children. The couple’s journey from red carpet debuts to sealed court proceedings offers a compelling how personal relationships can crumble under the weight of public scrutiny, demanding careers, and fundamental incompatibilities.
From their first Twitter interaction to their final custody settlement, Musk and Grimes’ relationship timeline reveals a pattern of separations, reconciliations, and ultimately, an irreparable rift that transformed former lovers into adversaries. Their split wasn’t just another celebrity breakup – it became a cautionary tale about the challenges of maintaining authentic connections in the spotlight while the complexities of modern parenthood and professional ambitions.
The Unlikely Beginning: How Elon Musk and Grimes First Connected
The Elon Musk and Grimes relationship began in the most modern way possible – through social media. In early 2018, the pair connected on Twitter over a shared interest in artificial intelligence and futuristic concepts. Musk had planned to make a joke about AI through the “Rococo Basilisk” concept, only to discover that Grimes had already explored this idea in her “Flesh Without Blood” music video.
Their first public appearance came at the 2018 Met Gala, where they made their red carpet-debut as a couple. The pairing fans and media alike – Grimes, born Claire Boucher, was known for her experimental electronic music and avant-garde aesthetic, while Musk was the hard-driving entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX. Despite their seemingly opposite worlds, they appeared to bond over their shared fascination with technology, innovation, and pushing creative boundaries.
The early months of their relationship weren’t without controversy. In August 2018, their romance became entangled with Musk’s infamous “funding secured” tweet about taking Tesla private at $420 per share – a price he later admitted choosing as a joke to amuse Grimes. This incident, along with a public feud involving rapper Azealia Banks, created early turbulence in their relationship.
Building a Family: Children and Commitment
Despite the initial drama, Musk and Grimes appeared to strengthen their bond through 2019 and into 2020. In January 2020, Grimes announced her pregnancy through a cryptic Instagram post, later confirming that Musk was the father. Their first child, X Æ A-XII (later changed to X Æ A-Xii due to California naming laws), was born in May 2020, immediately generating headlines for the unusual name choice.
The couple’s approach to parenting reflected their unconventional relationship style. In a Rolling Stone interview, Grimes described her decision to have children with Musk as “a pretty crazy sacrifice” that represented a “profound commitment”. She explained that despite the challenges, she “really love[d] my boyfriend” and was willing to make that leap of faith.
Their family expanded further when they welcomed their second child, Exa Dark Sideræl Musk (nicknamed “Y”), via surrogate in December 2021. The existence of this child was only revealed during a Vanity Fair interview in March 2022, when a reporter heard a baby crying upstairs during the interview. Later, it was revealed that they had a third child, Techno Mechanicus (called “Tau”), also born through surrogacy.
The Cracks Begin to Show: Semi-Separation and Reconciliation
By September 2021, the pressures of their demanding careers began to take their toll. Musk announced that he and Grimes were “semi-separated” but still loved each other and remained on great terms. He attributed the separation to their conflicting schedules and locations, explaining that his work at SpaceX and Tesla required him to be primarily in Texas or traveling overseas, while Grimes’ work was primarily based in Los Angeles.
“We are semi-separated but still love each other, see each other frequently, and are on great terms,” Musk told Page Six at the time. This “fluid” relationship status became a defining characteristic of their partnership, with Grimes later describing their arrangement as unconventional but functional.
The couple appeared to reconcile temporarily, with Grimes describing their relationship in early 2022 as “very fluid” – they lived in separate houses but remained best friends who saw each other regularly. However, this reconciliation was short-lived. On the same day that Vanity Fair published their interview revealing their second child, Grimes took to Twitter to announce that they had “broken up again”.
The Final Split: From Love to Legal Warfare
The Grimes and Elon Musk breakup became official in March 2022, but the real drama was just beginning. What started as an amicable separation quickly deteriorated into a contentious custody battle that would dominate headlines for over a year.
In September 2022, Musk filed a custody lawsuit against Grimes, initiating legal proceedings that would prove both emotionally and financially devastating for the musician. Grimes responded with a countersuit, and the battle escalated quickly. According to Grimes, much of the conflict centered on her rights as a mother, particularly in a state she described as having “terrible mothers’ rights”.
The custody dispute took a severe toll on Grimes, who revealed publicly that she was “going bankrupt” due to legal expenses. The financial disparity between her resources and Musk’s vast wealth – now exceeding hundreds of billions of dollars – created an uneven playing field in their legal battle. Grimes also alleged that she was prevented from seeing one of her children for five months during the proceedings.
The Bitter Aftermath: Custody Battle and Public Feuds
The custody battle between Musk and Grimes revealed the darker side of their relationship’s end. Grimes became increasingly vocal about her struggles, describing Musk as having become “unrecognizable” from the person she once loved. She shared that the legal battle had brought her to an emotional and financial breaking point, despite also acknowledging that motherhood had given her resilience and determination.
The case was eventually sealed to the public in December 2023, with the courtroom proceedings closed to both the press and the public. While reports suggest that a settlement was reached, the details remain confidential. However, the emotional scars from the ordeal appear to linger for both parties.
Recent developments have added new layers to their story. In December 2024, Grimes clarified that contrary to speculation, she was not “dumped” by Musk but rather initiated the split herself. This revelation came during a social media exchange where she pushed back against claims that she had been “cheated on” and “dumped” by the billionaire entrepreneur.
Moving Forward: Co-Parenting and New Beginnings
Despite their bitter legal battle, both Musk and Grimes appear to be focusing on co-parenting their three children. Reports from November 2024 suggested that they had been house hunting together in Bel Air, not for romantic reconciliation, but to find a home where they could effectively co-parent their children alongside Musk’s other children and their mothers.
Grimes has expressed optimism about her future, stating that despite the financial and emotional toll of the past year, she has “never been better”. The experience, while traumatic, appears to have strengthened her resolve and given her a clearer sense of her priorities as both an artist and a mother.
For Musk, the custody battle represents just one chapter in his complex personal life, which includes relationships with multiple women and a total of 10 known children. His focus has remained largely on his business ventures, including SpaceX’s Mars missions, Tesla’s AI developments, and his acquisition of X (formerly Twitter).
