Fri. Feb 14th, 2025

Elon Musk’s first wife, Justine Musk, penned an essay during their tumultuous divorce proceedings in 2010. The essay has gained renewed attention following the recent release of Mr. Musk’s biography.

Justine Musk, an author and mother of five sons, wrote the essay for Marie Claire magazine, detailing their marriage and how it eventually soured. In the essay, she recounted “warning signs” that appeared even on their wedding night.

“At our wedding reception, Elon told me, ‘I am the alpha in this relationship,'” Ms. Musk wrote. “I dismissed it at the time, just as I would later brush off signing the postnuptial agreement, but as time went on, I realized he was serious. Growing up in South Africa’s male-dominated culture, the competitive and dominating nature that made him successful in business did not switch off when he came home.”

“This, combined with the significant economic imbalance between us, led to a certain dynamic taking hold in the months following our wedding. Elon’s judgment overrode mine, and he constantly pointed out my deficiencies. ‘I am your wife,’ I would repeatedly tell him, ‘not your employee.'”

“‘If you were my employee,’ he would reply just as often, ‘I would fire you.'”

In the essay, Justine Musk also revealed that Mr. Musk pressured her to dye her hair even blonder. The relationship faced significant strain following the loss of their first son, Nevada, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). She later gave birth to twins and triplets.

“Nevada’s death sent me spiraling into years of depression and distraction that would likely continue to this day if not for one of our nannies noticing my struggles,” she wrote.

The couple divorced in September 2008. Elon Musk claimed that he offered Justine a settlement “equivalent to a pre-tax income of $80 million,” which she declined. He also covers all expenses for their children and provides $20,000 per month after taxes. Justine Musk was awarded their family home in Bel Air.

By admin