SpaceX CEO Elon Musk made headlines on January 19, 2025, not just for attending a high-profile dinner hosted by former US President Donald Trump at the Building Museum but for being accompanied by Shivon Zilis, the mother of three of his children. This marks the first significant public appearance of Zilis alongside Musk, who now leads Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
In a widely shared photo from the event, Musk is seen engaging in conversation with Trump’s daughter Ivanka, while Zilis looks on.
Who is Shivon Zilis?
Born in Canada, Zilis, 38, serves as the Director of Operations and Special Projects at Neuralink, Musk’s artificial intelligence company. She joined Neuralink in May 2017 and has also worked at other Musk-led ventures, including Tesla and OpenAI.
An alumnus of Yale University, where she earned a degree in Economics and Philosophy, Zilis gained recognition for her work in venture capital, making Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2015 and LinkedIn’s 35 Under 35 list.
Zilis and Musk’s Relationship
The pair’s relationship first came to light in April 2022 when court filings revealed they had twins, Strider and Azure, born in 2021. The filings sought to give the twins Musk’s last name while retaining Zilis’ last name as their middle name. A Texas court approved the petition in May 2022.
In early 2024, Zilis and Musk welcomed another child, though details about the baby’s name and gender remain undisclosed.
Musk’s biographer, Walter Isaacson, described Zilis as Musk’s “intellectual companion on artificial intelligence” in a Time magazine profile. Zilis has often defended Musk and expressed admiration for his vision, emphasizing his focus on projects with existential relevance to humanity.
Musk’s Expanding Family
Musk, a vocal advocate for addressing the “underpopulation crisis,” now has 12 children with three partners. With his ex-wife Justine Wilson, he has five surviving children: twins Griffin and Vivian, and triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian. Musk also shares three children with Canadian musician Grimes, including their uniquely named son X Æ A-Xii and daughter Exa Dark Sideræl.
In 2024, Musk purchased a $35 million mansion in Texas to accommodate his growing family.
A Visionary’s Public Statements
Zilis remains supportive of Musk’s endeavors, frequently sharing his quotes and speeches on social media. On January 21, 2025, she shared Musk’s address at the Presidential parade, quoting, “There need to be things that inspire you. There need to be things that make you glad to wake up in the morning and say, ‘I’m looking forward to the future.’”
