The relationship between Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur and CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, and Grimes, the eccentric and innovative musician, has been one of the most intriguing and unconventional celebrity pairings in recent years. From the moment they made their relationship public in 2018, fans and media alike were captivated by their unlikely union. Despite their vastly different worlds—Elon’s in technology and space exploration, Grimes’ in music and art—their connection seemed rooted in a shared intellectual curiosity and sense of humor. However, their relationship has been marked by both romance and turbulence, from the birth of their children to the challenges that eventually led to their split.
The story of how Elon and Grimes met is as unique as they are. It all began on Twitter in 2018, where Elon had planned to post a joke about merging two complex concepts: Roko’s Basilisk, a thought-provoking idea about artificial intelligence, and Rococo, an elaborate 18th-century European design style. He intended to tweet about the “Rococo Basilisk,” combining the two ideas. Before he could share his joke, however, he discovered that Grimes had already beaten him to it—three years earlier. In 2015, Grimes had created a character named Rococo Basilisk for her music video “Flesh Without Blood.” Elon was impressed, not only by her cleverness but also by the fact that she understood the depth of the joke. He reached out to her, and their conversation marked the beginning of their relationship.
From there, Elon and Grimes quickly bonded over their shared fascination with technology, philosophy, and creativity. They made their relationship public at the 2018 Met Gala, walking the red carpet together in a moment that cemented their status as one of the most talked-about couples in the world. Despite their high-profile debut, the early days of their relationship were not without challenges. In August 2018, just months after they started dating, rumors of a potential breakup emerged after rapper Azealia Banks claimed she had been left stranded at Elon’s home while trying to collaborate with Grimes. Azealia’s account painted a dramatic picture of Elon’s alleged mental state and Grimes’ absence, which she compared to a “real-life episode of Get Out.” Elon denied ever meeting Azealia or communicating with her, but the incident created buzz about their relationship’s stability. Grimes ultimately unfollowed Elon on social media in the aftermath, sparking speculation about their status. By October, however, they appeared to have reconciled, as they were spotted together at a pumpkin patch with Elon’s children from his previous marriage.
One of the most significant chapters of their relationship was the arrival of their children. In January 2020, Grimes surprised fans by announcing her pregnancy with a bold photoshoot showcasing her baby bump. At the time, she didn’t confirm Elon as the father, but it was widely speculated given their ongoing relationship. In March, she confirmed Elon as the father during an interview with Rolling Stone. This would be Grimes’ first child and Elon’s sixth, as he already had five sons with his ex-wife, Justine Wilson. On May 4, 2020, Grimes gave birth to their son, whom they named X Æ A-12 Musk. The name, which combines elements of mathematics, artificial intelligence, and even Elon’s favorite aircraft, sparked both confusion and curiosity. Grimes later explained the meaning behind each part of the name: “X” symbolized the unknown variable, “Æ” represented her elven spelling of “AI” (short for love and artificial intelligence), and “A-12” referred to a precursor to Elon’s favorite plane, the SR-17. She emphasized that the name reflected their shared love of technology and innovation.
Over time, Elon and Grimes welcomed two more children: a daughter named Exa Dark Sideræl and a son named Techno Mechanicus. Their children’s names continued their tradition of blending creativity, technology, and personal significance. Despite their growing family, however, the couple faced increasing challenges in their relationship. By 2022, after years of on-again, off-again dating, they decided to go their separate ways. While they remain committed to co-parenting their children, their romantic journey came to an end, marking a bittersweet chapter in their lives.
Elon and Grimes’ relationship was never ordinary, reflecting the verbally sparring, intellectually charged, and deeply unconventional individuals they are. From their Twitter meeting to the birth of their uniquely named children, their partnership was a testament to the power of shared curiosity and creativity. But it also highlighted the challenges of balancing high-profile careers with personal relationships. While their romance may have fizzled out, their connection left an indelible mark on pop culture and their own lives. As they continue to navigate their individual paths, fans remain fascinated by the legacy of their relationship—a true meeting of the minds.
