In a revealing conversation that spanned nearly two hours on Nikhil Kamath's WTF podcast, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk opened up about rarely discussed personal aspects of his life, including a surprising family connection to India that had previously remained out of public view.
The Indian Connection Revealed
During the podcast episode, Musk unexpectedly disclosed that his partner, Shivon Zilis, who serves as a senior executive at Neuralink and has two children with him, comes from Indian heritage. "You know, my partner Shivon she is half Indian. I do not know if you know that," Musk told a surprised Kamath, who immediately responded that he was unaware of this connection.
The billionaire entrepreneur further elaborated on their family's Indian ties, revealing that one of their sons carries the middle name 'Sekhar' in honor of Nobel laureate Chandra Sekhar, demonstrating the family's appreciation for Indian scientific achievement.
Shivon Zilis' Background Story
When Kamath inquired whether Zilis had lived in India, Musk clarified that she was raised in Canada but had Indian origins through her biological father. "She was given up for adoption when she was a baby," Musk explained. "So I think her father was like an exchange student at the university or something like that. I am not sure of the exact details, but she grew up in Canada."
Zilis, who was born to a Punjabi mother and Canadian father, has emerged as one of the most influential figures within Musk's corporate ecosystem. A recent Wall Street Journal report described her as having "special status" within Musk's inner circle and even referred to her as the "most prominent of Musk's mothers."
Musk's Passionate Views on Parenthood
The conversation took a personal turn when Kamath mentioned that he doesn't have children, prompting an immediate response from Musk: "Well, it is maybe you should." When Kamath noted that many people give him the same advice, Musk emphatically stated, "You will not regret it."
Asked what makes parenting so meaningful, Musk offered an emotional description: "Well, I mean, you have got this little creature that loves you, and you love this little creature. And I do not know, you kind of see the world through their eyes as they grow up, and their conscious awareness increases."
He elaborated on the developmental journey from infancy to independent thought, concluding with his broader philosophical stance: "I think we fundamentally have to have kids or go extinct, you know."
This perspective aligns with Musk's longstanding public concerns about declining global birth rates. The tech visionary has multiple children across different relationships and has consistently emphasized the importance of population growth for humanity's future.
The candid podcast episode provided rare insights into Musk's personal life and family connections, particularly the previously undisclosed Indian heritage within his immediate family through his relationship with Zilis, who continues to play a significant role both in his companies and personal life.
