In a candid conversation on Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath’s podcast People by WTF, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk shared personal details about his family, revealing that his partner Shivon Zilis, an executive at Neuralink, is half-Indian. Musk further disclosed that one of their twin sons carries the middle name “Sekhar”, chosen in honor of the legendary Indian-American astrophysicist and Nobel laureate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.
Musk explained that the name was selected as a tribute to Chandrasekhar’s groundbreaking contributions to astrophysics, particularly his work on the structure and evolution of stars, which earned him the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physics. By giving his son this name, Musk highlighted the importance of Chandrasekhar’s scientific legacy and acknowledged the influence of Indian heritage within his own family.
During the podcast, Musk also reflected on broader issues, including the challenges faced by Indian talent due to restrictive U.S. visa policies. He noted that such barriers could potentially hinder the flow of skilled professionals from India to America, a country that has historically benefited from Indian scientists, engineers, and innovators.
Shivon Zilis, who grew up in Canada after being adopted as a baby, has played a key role at Neuralink, Musk’s brain-computer interface company. Musk’s revelation about her Indian roots and their son’s middle name offers a rare glimpse into his personal life, while also underscoring his admiration for India’s contributions to science and technology. The disclosure has sparked widespread interest, with many in India expressing pride at the recognition of Chandrasekhar’s legacy in Musk’s family
