Shivon Zilis opens up on 'complicated' relationship with Elon Musk during OpenAI trial
Shivon Zilis, the mother of four children with Elon Musk, gave rare insight into their personal relationship while testifying in Musk’s legal battle against OpenAI.
Her testimony has drawn intense attention because she previously worked at OpenAI while also being privately involved with Musk.
Why Zilis is a key witness
OpenAI was founded in 2015 by Sam Altman, Musk and others as a non-profit AI lab. Musk later exited after disagreements and has since sued Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman, alleging they moved OpenAI away from its original mission.
Zilis worked at OpenAI from 2016 to 2023 and also served on its board. As a result of her dual role and close ties to Musk, OpenAI lawyers have questioned whether internal information may have reached him.
How did their relationship begin?
According to testimony, Zilis said she and Musk first became close after she joined OpenAI in 2016.
She described their relationship as initially a friendship that later became romantic. In 2020, Musk reportedly offered to help her become a parent as a “platonic” sperm donor.
Zilis said she accepted because she strongly wanted children and was facing health issues that made starting a family through a traditional partnership more difficult.
Secret agreement and children
She testified that she signed an agreement requiring Musk’s paternity to remain confidential and that he would not initially be heavily involved in the children’s lives.
The pair had twins through IVF in 2021, and later had two more children, bringing the total to four.
Zilis said she did not initially disclose the arrangement to OpenAI because of the confidentiality agreement.
Musk now 'actively' involved
Zilis told the court that Musk is now actively involved in family life.
She said they spend several hours together every week and often stay together while travelling, including family time in Austin.
Musk had earlier testified that Zilis is the mother of his children and that they live together.
Public appearances fuel attention
In recent months, the two have been seen publicly together at several high-profile events, including gatherings linked to Donald Trump at the White House and Mar-a-Lago.
The testimony has turned a corporate AI lawsuit into a headline-grabbing personal drama, revealing how business, power and private lives became deeply intertwined in one of Silicon Valley’s biggest legal fights.
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