Elon Musk, the current wealthiest man in the world and the visionary behind companies like SpaceX and Tesla Inc., has a history marked by multiple marriages and high-cost divorces. Notably, he married and divorced actress Tallulah Riley twice.
Their relationship commenced in 2008 at a London bar, leading to a swift courtship and a 2010 marriage. The first marriage concluded in divorce in 2012, with Musk expressing his emotions on social media, saying, “It was an amazing four years. I will love you forever. You will make someone very happy one day.”
Despite the initial divorce, Musk and Riley remarried in July 2013. However, this reunion was short-lived, culminating in a second divorce in 2016. Riley, reflecting on their decision to remarry, acknowledged the peculiarity of their choice in an interview with The Independent, stating, “I suppose the reason to get remarried was just because it felt silly to be together unmarried after having been married. … We were saying, ‘This is my husband.’ ‘This is my wife.’ ‘Oh, wait, no, we’re not that anymore. We better be that again.'” She also described Musk as “the perfect ex-husband.”
Riley filed for the second divorce in Los Angeles, and both parties reportedly agreed to an amicable end. Despite the marital ups and downs, Musk and Riley remained on good terms, occasionally meeting as friends. It was also noted that they had been living separately for six months before the final divorce filing. During divorce proceedings, when asked about the possibility of a third marriage, Riley responded, “I mean, never say never.”
Despite the end of their marriage, Riley maintains a positive outlook on their relationship, affirming a “very deep love and connection.” In a 2022 article from The Independent, she stated, “He’s a great friend. He looks out for me. We are in a happy place now, where we’re good to each other, which is really nice. I have the utmost love for him.”
Elon Musk’s divorce from his first wife, Justine Musk, involved substantial financial settlements. Justine received a significant divorce settlement, including $6 million in cash, 10% of Musk’s SpaceX stock, and a $200,000 Tesla Roadster. Despite initial alimony requests, the settlement ended up at $20 million, covering legal fees as well. Elon Musk reportedly paid $20,000 per month for his ex-wife’s expenses and also covered costs for their children’s care.
The divorce settlements with both Tallulah Riley and Justine Musk were among the most expensive of their time, showcasing Musk’s ongoing financial commitments, particularly in the form of substantial monthly payments for personal expenses and legal fees. Riley received more than $20 million across their two divorces, with the first settlement in 2012 being $4.2 million, and the subsequent one after their second marriage amounting to $16 million.
