Elon Musk is one of those figures who attracts endless stereotypes. Whether he’s being called a “robot” or a “genius without a soul” in the media, the narrative about him is rarely neutral. But Talulah Riley, Musk’s second ex-wife – and the only one he married (and divorced) twice – has something to say about all that. According to her, the public’s assumption that Musk is emotionless and cold is wrong.
Riley, an actress, first met Musk in London in 2008. Their whirlwind relationship led to a marriage in 2010, just weeks after Musk divorced his first wife, Justine Wilson.
Riley and Musk’s marriage was anything but conventional. They divorced in 2012, only to remarry in 2013. Their second attempt lasted until 2016, when they finally called it quits for good. But despite the dramatic timeline, Riley has always spoken warmly about Musk. She’s described their relationship as “deeply loving” and even referred to it as “strange” in hindsight, but not negatively.
Riley offered an unfiltered glimpse into their private life in the 2022 BBC documentary, The Elon Musk Show. It’s not something she usually does, but she wanted to set the record straight. Riley argued that the tech mogul often gets mischaracterized as a calculating figure devoid of emotional depth. “Nothing could be further from the truth,” she reiterated, pushing back against a narrative that distorts Musk’s character.
In fact, Riley has gone so far as to call Musk “the perfect ex-husband.” In the acknowledgments of her 2018 novel, The Quickening, she remarked on a lighthearted yet sincere way, suggesting that even after two divorces, their bond remained strong. Their friendship, she’s explained, is built on mutual respect and a shared history that’s hard to erase.
Their divorces, however, were not without financial settlements. Musk reportedly gave Riley more than $20 million across their two divorces. In the first divorce in 2012, Riley received a settlement of $4.2 million. After their second marriage and subsequent divorce, Musk agreed to a settlement of $16 million. Despite these significant financial agreements, Riley has never spoken bitterly about their splits, instead focusing on their enduring connection.
Riley isn’t shy about the complexities of their time together. In interviews, she’s admitted their decision to remarry might’ve seemed unconventional, even to them. “It felt silly to be together unmarried after having been married,” she said, brushing off the oddity of their two weddings and two divorces. But there’s a mutual respect between them that remains intact, even years later. Musk and Riley have managed to stay on friendly terms, something she attributes to their strong connection.
Riley’s reflections offer a rare glimpse at a side of Musk few people see. While his public persona is often defined by his high-stakes business ventures and polarizing decisions, Riley paints a different picture. To her, Musk is far from cold or distant. He’s emotional, passionate and deeply committed – qualities she insists aren’t always visible to the public. Her words serve as a reminder that even the most larger-than-life personalities are far more complex behind the curtain.
