Shivon Zilis, the mother of four of Elon Musk’s children, is a Canadian AI expert and venture capitalist. She plays a key role in Musk’s business empire and has worked at companies like Tesla, OpenAI, and Neuralink, specialising in AI and machine learning, according to the Daily Mail.
Recently, Zilis announced on X that she and Elon Musk have welcomed their fourth child, a son named Seldon Lycurgus. She shared the news in a post on Friday.
Background in AI and venture capital
Born in Markham, Ontario, in 1986, Zilis was a standout student and athlete. She attended Yale University, where she played ice hockey while earning a degree in economics and philosophy. After graduation, she joined IBM, where she focused on financial technology and machine learning, an early step into the AI industry.
Zilis gained prominence in the venture capital world through her work at Bloomberg Beta, Bloomberg’s venture capital arm. Her investments focused on AI and automation, and her expertise earned her a spot on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list in 2015. During this time, she became known as a rising star in the AI space, developing strong connections with leaders in technology and venture capital.
Her growing influence in AI led her to Musk’s orbit. In 2016, she joined OpenAI, the AI research lab co-founded by Musk, as a board member. She later worked at Tesla from 2017 to 2019, where she contributed to the company’s Autopilot program and semiconductor initiatives. In 2017, she also took on a leadership role at Neuralink, Musk’s brain-chip startup, where she currently serves as director of operations and special projects.
Personal ties with Elon Musk
While Zilis had already built a solid reputation in AI, her name gained wider attention in 2022 when reports surfaced that she and Musk had twins together in 2021. This was revealed through court documents showing a petition to change the children’s last names to include Musk’s surname.
In 2024, Bloomberg reported that Zilis and Musk had quietly welcomed a third child earlier in the year.
Beyond AI, Zilis shares Musk’s passion for gaming. She has spoken about her interest in complex strategy and fantasy games, including Elden Ring, a game Musk has also praised. Her appreciation for gaming ties into her broader belief in AI’s potential, as gaming has long been a testing ground for AI advancements.
