A Year-Long Battle Over Custody
The custody dispute involved their three children: X Æ A-12, commonly known as “baby X,” who is four years old; two-year-old Exa Dark Sideræl; and two-year-old Tau Techno Mechanicus. Grimes claimed the legal fight spanned a year, during which she felt Musk became “unrecognizable.”
“Spent a year locked in battle in a state with terrible mothers’ rights having my Instagram posts and modelling used as reasons I shouldn’t have my kids,” Grimes shared on X, the platform Musk now owns. “All the while I didn’t see one of my babies for five months.”
The legal proceedings were reportedly resolved in December 2023, according to Business Insider. However, the details of the settlement were sealed.
Financial Strain and Emotional Impact
Grimes admitted the custody battle left her emotionally and financially drained. She said she was “going bankrupt” from the legal fees, adding, “I just slept and cried every minute I wasn’t explicitly fighting for my kids during that year.”
The singer also reflected on how the situation stifled her creative output, saying, “The thought of losing my children was not conducive to creative thoughts.” However, she noted that despite the turmoil, she had spent significant time mastering her craft, describing the experience of motherhood as transformative. “Having babies rips you apart and puts you back together. Babies are ten thousand philosophy classes of s*** you can only learn from that experience,” she said.
Grimes’ Concerns Over Musk’s Behaviour
The musician also expressed concern about Musk’s political and personal shifts, including his association with Donald Trump and his growing prominence in right-wing circles. Musk and their eldest son, X Æ A-12, were seen together at Mar-a-Lago on several occasions, including during the 2022 election night celebrations.
Grimes alluded to Musk’s changing persona, stating, “I fought and detached from the love of my life as he becomes unrecognizable to me, with a fraction of his resources (or IQ/strategy experience).”
She also referenced Musk’s strained relationship with his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who had legally severed ties with him. Grimes previously defended Musk, saying his anti-trans comments were “not [from] his heart,” while publicly supporting Vivian.
Legal Disputes Across States
The custody battle took place across multiple jurisdictions. Musk, whose businesses are headquartered in Texas, initially filed for custody there. Grimes countersued, filing a “petition to establish parental relationship” in California. This legal step is commonly seen as a means for unmarried parents to seek custody rights.
Grimes claimed that during this period, Musk prevented their children from seeing their terminally ill maternal grandmother. A clerk in Travis County, Texas, later confirmed the case had been resolved, but further details remained confidential.
Musk, who has 12 children with three women, has long expressed his desire for a large family and concern about global declining birth rates. He shares six children with his first wife, Justine Wilson, including twins Vivian and Griffin and triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian, all born through IVF. Their first daughter, Nevada, tragically passed away as an infant.
Musk also has twins, Strider and Azure, with Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, along with a third child whose identity has not been publicly disclosed. Grimes had previously appealed to Zilis for help in resolving her issues with Musk.
Despite the challenges, Grimes expressed a sense of renewal following the resolution of the custody dispute. “I’ve never been better in my life than right now,” she wrote, focusing on her creative projects and the lessons she learned through motherhood. While the details of their legal settlement remain private, her public reflections shed light on the complex dynamics of co-parenting with one of the world’s most prominent figures.
