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U.S. News
17 April 2025

Elon Musk's Quest For A Legion Of Children Sparks Controversy

The billionaire's ambitious plan raises ethical questions and highlights complex family dynamics.

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is reportedly pursuing an ambitious goal of fathering a "legion" of children, according to a recent investigative report by The Wall Street Journal. This endeavor has sparked controversy and raised ethical questions as Musk allegedly uses his platform, X (formerly Twitter), to recruit potential mothers and suggests the use of surrogates to expedite the process.

The report reveals that Musk has fathered at least 14 children with four known women: musician Grimes, Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, his ex-wife Justine Musk, and conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair. However, sources close to Musk believe that the actual number of his children could be even higher.

In a text message to Ashley St. Clair, Musk expressed his desire for a large family, stating, "To reach legion-level before the apocalypse we will need to use surrogates." This ambition has led to what insiders describe as "harem drama," where Musk allegedly manages the relationships with the mothers through financial incentives and strict confidentiality agreements.

Shivon Zilis, who shares four children with Musk, is said to hold a "special status" among the mothers. She has accompanied Musk to several high-profile events, including meetings with world leaders like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This unique position has sparked intrigue about her role in Musk's life and family dynamics.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Zilis's relationship with Musk began to draw public attention after the birth of their twins in November 2021. Zilis is described as a "steadying force" in Musk's life, and her professional alignment with him as a high-ranking executive at Neuralink gives her a level of access and influence that sets her apart from the other mothers.

Meanwhile, Ashley St. Clair revealed that Musk offered her $15 million and $100,000 a month in support, on the condition that his name would be kept off the birth certificate and his paternity remain a secret. After she publicly acknowledged their relationship, her financial support was drastically reduced from $40,000 a month to $20,000.

Sources indicate that Musk's approach to fatherhood is driven by his belief that declining birth rates pose a significant threat to humanity's future. He has frequently stated that civilization could collapse without population growth and that intelligent individuals should have more children to help secure the future.

The Wall Street Journal's investigation highlights Musk's use of X as a recruitment tool, where he has reached out to multiple women, including crypto influencer Tiffany Fong, asking if they would be interested in having his child. Fong reportedly declined and was subsequently unfollowed by Musk.

In addition to his personal ambitions, Musk's wealth—estimated at $367.9 billion—affords him significant leverage in his personal and professional endeavors. Grimes, who shares three children with Musk, has described how their custody battle left her financially drained, illustrating the power dynamics at play.

Moreover, Musk's team allegedly uses money and strict confidentiality agreements to maintain control over the mothers and their relationships with him. His aide, Jared Birchall, has described the inner circle as a "meritocracy" where support and benefits are contingent upon discretion and cooperation.

Despite the controversy surrounding his family dynamics, Musk appears to be committed to his vision of raising a large family. He has expressed concerns about an "underpopulation crisis," believing that intelligent and resourceful individuals need to have more children to sustain society. In one message, Musk reportedly stated, "A collapsing birthrate is the biggest danger civilization faces by far."

As Musk continues to navigate his complex family life, the implications of his actions raise important questions about ethics, power, and the future of family structures in the modern world. The interplay between his personal ambitions and public persona remains a subject of fascination and scrutiny.

In conclusion, Elon Musk's quest to create a "legion" of children is not just a personal endeavor but also a reflection of his broader beliefs about society and population growth. As the world's richest man, his actions and decisions will likely continue to attract attention and provoke discussion.