In a revealing interview, Justine Musk, Elon Musk’s first wife
, shared her candid thoughts on their relationship and the challenges they faced. Justine, who met Elon at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, described how their relationship evolved from a unique first date involving a melting ice cream cone to a complex marriage filled with both high-tech dreams and everyday struggles.
Justine spoke about the intense focus Elon had on his work, often leading to long hours and a demanding nature that put a strain on their relationship. She recounted how Elon’s accumulation of wealth and fame changed the dynamic between them, making her feel like a “trophy wife” at times. Despite the luxurious lifestyle, Justine longed for more equality and partnership in their marriage.
The couple faced immense grief with the loss of their first child, Nevada, to sudden infant death syndrome in 2002. They later had twins and triplets through in vitro fertilization. Justine described the challenges of raising five children while balancing Elon’s intense career ambitions.
One of the most memorable moments Justine shared was how she found out about their divorce. She said, “We were seeing a marital therapist, and he got tired of the stress and uncertainty of it. The next day, I went into my therapist’s office, and he had left a message for her to tell me that he was filing for divorce.” Justine also revealed that Elon was engaged to another woman just six weeks after their divorce.
Despite the difficulties, Justine expressed her admiration for Elon’s vision and drive. She advised aspiring visionaries to go deep into the underlying principles of any subject and to be brave, bold, and willing to see things differently.
This interview provides a rare glimpse into the personal life of one of the world’s most famous entrepreneurs and highlights the complexities of balancing personal relationships with professional ambitions.
