What do successful and famous men, like billionaires, seek in their partners? Let’s explore this question by looking at the women who have been in relationships with Elon Musk. Here’s a breakdown of the key traits that unite his past wives and girlfriends.
1. Creative Spirit
All of Elon Musk’s partners have had strong creative ambitions. Ambition and a non-traditional approach to life resonate with Musk, so he has always appreciated women who are driven to create something new in various cultural fields.
His first wife, Justine Wilson, was an aspiring writer when they met. His second wife, Talulah Riley, was aiming to conquer Hollywood. Amber Heard, another partner, was already a well-known actress, and his latest significant other, Claire Boucher (Grimes), regularly topped global music streaming charts. However, despite supporting their creative potential initially, Musk often prioritized his inventions over their artistic work.
2. Strong Character
To be with a strong man like Musk, his partners needed to have a strong character themselves. The women in Musk’s life often faced challenges, but they didn’t let themselves be overpowered by his whims. Instead, they maintained their dignity and emerged from difficult situations with strength.
Justine Wilson refused to save a crumbling marriage, choosing to pursue her career as a fantasy writer. Talulah Riley, despite divorcing Musk twice, continues to speak highly of him. Both Amber Heard and Grimes seemed unshaken by their breakups with Musk and continued their creative pursuits. Musk’s mother, Maye Musk, also exemplifies this resilience, having raised three children as a single mother and overcoming personal hardships. She later became a fashion icon at age 60, inspiring millions of women worldwide.
3. Attractive Appearance
In his youth, Elon Musk wasn’t particularly popular with the “it” girls at school. As his fortunes rose, he seemed eager to address this by choosing women who fit a certain ideal of beauty. Even in college, Musk won over Justine Wilson, who was described as the “library beauty.” Later, he was involved with actresses like Talulah Riley and Amber Heard, cementing the idea that appearance plays a role in Musk’s preferences.
Rumors of a possible relationship with Cameron Diaz in 2013 also surfaced when they met after she bought one of Tesla’s electric cars. Grimes, his most recent partner, has a unique “elf-like” appearance that, while distinct, suggests that beauty and originality are key factors for Musk.
4. Domesticity
While deeply invested in his work, Musk has expressed a desire for a home environment that is comfortable and welcoming, often expecting his partners to create this. Yet, the women he was with—who were often busy with their careers—struggled to meet this expectation.
For instance, Justine Wilson, who aspired to be a writer, was expected by Musk to focus more on managing the household and raising their five children. This tension, even with the help of family therapy, led to their split. Justine later dedicated herself to her writing career, becoming a successful author.
5. Submissiveness
Musk’s ideal woman seems to contrast with his initial attraction to strong, creative personalities. He has expressed a preference for women who understand that his work is more important than anything else in his life.
Justine Wilson once admitted that she felt like she became a “shadow” of her husband, expected to simply be by his side and host high-profile guests. Talulah Riley was so accommodating that after their breakup, she famously wrote, “One day, you’ll make someone very happy.” Even Amber Heard, known for her assertive personality, was photographed indulging Musk’s love of cosplay, wearing a costume from the video game Overwatch. Grimes also seemed willing to overlook Musk’s quirks and the rumors of infidelity for quite some time.
In his pursuit of a partner who embodies all these traits—beauty, strength, creativity, domesticity, and submissiveness—Musk has found that achieving this balance is nearly impossible. Nonetheless, the challenge of finding such a partner appears to be something that continually draws Musk’s attention. At 53, he remains a highly eligible bachelor, with plenty of time to meet someone who can combine the qualities that matter most to him.