In a rare glimpse into the personal life of one of the world’s most high-profile billionaires, Elon Musk’s estranged daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, has revealed that her mother, Justine Wilson, has largely distanced herself from the Tesla CEO following their divorce. Vivian, who legally changed her name and gender in 2022 to sever ties with her father, made the candid remarks in a recent interview with The Cut on April 1, 2025, shedding light on the family dynamics that have long been a subject of public fascination. Her quip—“She’s divorced, werk”—has sparked a wave of reactions online, highlighting the ongoing rift within the Musk family.
Vivian, 20, is one of six children Musk shares with Justine Wilson, a Canadian author whom he married in 2000 and divorced in 2008 after a tumultuous relationship. The couple’s marriage, which produced twins Vivian and Griffin, triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian, and a son, Nevada, who tragically passed away at 10 weeks old, was marked by personal and emotional challenges, as detailed in Wilson’s 2010 essay for Marie Claire. In the essay, Wilson described Musk’s controlling behavior and the strain of their relationship, which ultimately led to their split. Since then, Wilson has maintained a relatively low profile, focusing on her writing career and raising her children, while Musk’s public persona has only grown larger.
In her interview with The Cut, Vivian was asked about her mother’s relationship with Musk in the years following their divorce, especially given Musk’s recent controversies, including his $44 billion financial crisis tied to the xAI-X merger and his polarizing role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Vivian’s response was blunt: “She doesn’t really keep up with him. She’s divorced, werk.” The term “werk,” a slang expression often used to signify moving on with confidence, underscores Wilson’s apparent determination to live independently of Musk’s orbit, a sentiment Vivian seems to share.
Vivian’s comments come amidst her own strained relationship with her father, which became public in 2022 when she legally changed her name from Xavier Alexander Musk to Vivian Jenna Wilson, citing her gender identity and her desire to distance herself from Musk. In court documents, she stated, “I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape, or form.” Musk, in response, has made controversial remarks about Vivian’s transition, claiming in a 2024 interview with Jordan Peterson that he was “tricked” into signing documents for her gender-affirming care and referring to her as “dead” due to “the woke mind virus.” These statements have drawn widespread criticism and further deepened the divide between father and daughter.
Justine Wilson, for her part, has remained largely silent on Musk’s public controversies, focusing instead on her career and family. Her most recent novel, A Map of the Known World, was published in 2023 to critical acclaim, and she has been an advocate for mental health awareness, often drawing from her own experiences. Vivian’s comments suggest that Wilson has chosen to move forward without entanglement in Musk’s high-profile life, a decision that resonates with many who have followed the family’s story. “My mom’s focused on her own thing,” Vivian added. “She’s not interested in what he’s doing.”
The interview has sparked a flurry of reactions on X, where #JustineWilson is trending. “Good for Justine—divorced, werk, indeed!” one user wrote. Another commented, “Vivian spilling the tea on Elon’s family drama is everything. Justine sounds like she’s thriving.” The remarks highlight the public’s fascination with Musk’s personal life, which often contrasts sharply with his professional achievements, including SpaceX’s $350 billion valuation and Tesla’s global reach.
As Musk navigates his latest challenges, Vivian’s revelation offers a poignant reminder of the personal toll his public life has taken. For Justine Wilson, life after Musk appears to be one of independence and focus—a path her daughter clearly admires. In Vivian’s words, “divorced, werk” may just be the perfect summary of Wilson’s journey.
