Tech billionaire Elon Musk has welcomed his 14th child, a fourth with Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, according to sources close to the matter. The news follows author Ashley St. Clair’s claim in May 2024 that she gave birth to Musk’s 13th child five months prior, further spotlighting the Tesla CEO’s unconventional family dynamics and his public advocacy for addressing global population decline.
Musk, 52, and Zilis, 38, reportedly welcomed the child earlier this month, though details about the baby’s name, gender, and birthdate remain undisclosed. The pair previously had twins in 2021, as revealed in a 2022 court filing obtained by Business Insider. Zilis, a Yale graduate and director of operations at Musk’s neurotechnology firm Neuralink, has maintained a private profile despite her professional prominence.
The birth arrives amid Musk’s repeated warnings about declining birth rates in developed nations. “If people don’t have more children, civilization will collapse,” Musk stated at a 2023 tech summit, aligning with his public remarks on social media. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau underscores his concerns: The nation’s fertility rate hit a historic low of 1.64 births per woman in 2023, far below the replacement level of 2.1.
Musk’s growing family spans multiple partners. He shares five children with ex-wife Justine Wilson, twins and a third child with musician Grimes (Claire Boucher), and now four with Zilis. St. Clair, a conservative author, announced her son’s birth in May but did not name Musk directly, stating only that the child was “engineered” with the billionaire. Musk has not publicly confirmed paternity in her case.
Dr. Sarah Peterson, a demographer at the Population Reference Bureau, notes that Musk’s family size is an outlier even among high-net-worth individuals. “The average American family has 1.9 children. Musk’s approach reflects his personal philosophy more than a broader trend, though it does spark conversations about parental responsibility and resource allocation,” she said.
Ethical questions have arisen regarding Musk’s influence and resources. “When individuals with significant means have many children across multiple households, it challenges traditional frameworks of family and equity,” said sociologist Dr. Marcus Lee in an interview with The New York Times.
Musk’s supporters argue his stance aligns with his ventures in sustainability and human advancement. “Elon sees population growth as critical to Mars colonization and technological progress,” said a colleague who requested anonymity. “To him, each child represents future potential.”
As debates continue, Musk’s personal life remains under scrutiny. Neither he nor Zilis has commented publicly on the latest birth, maintaining their trademark privacy. For now, the tech magnate’s legacy—both professional and paternal—continues to expand, one child at a time.
Sources: Business Insider (2022 court filing), U.S. Census Bureau, interviews with Dr. Sarah Peterson and Dr. Marcus Lee.