Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has finally concluded his contentious custody battle with musician Grimes, according to reports. The legal dispute, which spanned over a year, ended in late 2024, just as Musk celebrated his 56th birthday on June 28 and reached trillionaire status. The couple, who were together for four years before splitting in 2022, have three children: X Æ A-12 (aged six), Exa Dark Sideræl (aged four), and Techno Mechanicus (aged four).
Relationship Timeline and Turbulence
Musk, 58, and Grimes, 38, first confirmed their relationship in 2018 after years of rumors. They made their red carpet debut in May 2018, but the relationship was marked by multiple breakups and reconciliations. In January 2020, Grimes announced her pregnancy, and in a Rolling Stone interview in March 2020, she confirmed Musk as the father. A source told Us Weekly that the couple "experienced a lot of ups and downs" and were "on and off," but maintained a close friendship.
In July 2020, Musk's tweet "pronouns suck" sparked backlash, prompting Grimes to publicly respond: "I love you but please turn off ur phone or give me a [call]. I cannot support hate. Please stop this." However, in April 2021, she defended Musk against accusations of being a "men's rights activist," noting that the president of SpaceX is a woman.
Separation and Custody Battle
In September 2021, Musk announced they had split after three years, stating they "still love each other, see each other frequently and are on great terms." Grimes later released the song "Love," which she wrote during the breakup, with lyrics reflecting emotional turmoil. In a March 2022 Vanity Fair profile, she revealed the birth of their second child via surrogate in December 2021, and described their relationship as "very fluid." Hours after the article was published, Grimes confirmed they had ended things. Their third child was born in September 2023.
In September 2023, Us Weekly confirmed that Grimes had filed a petition to establish a parental relationship, initiating a custody battle. In 2024, she revealed on X that she had not seen one of her children for five months, writing: "Spent a year locked in battle in a state with terrible mother's rights. Having my Instagram posts and modelling used as reasons I shouldn't have my kids." The official ruling was not made public, but Musk was later seen bringing their eldest son, X, to a live White House meeting with Donald Trump, blindsiding Grimes.
Outcome and Impact
The custody battle officially ended in late 2024, allowing Musk to focus on his business ventures and political engagements. Grimes has not publicly commented on the resolution, but the end of the legal dispute marks a significant moment for the former couple. Musk's fortune, now exceeding $1 trillion, and his birthday celebrations have drawn attention away from the family drama. The children remain with their parents under an undisclosed arrangement.
