Elon Musk’s 21-year-old daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, is shedding light on life beyond her billionaire father’s shadow. In a candid interview with The Cut, Wilson revealed that she lives with three roommates in Los Angeles to save money and insists she doesn’t have access to vast wealth despite Musk’s $413 billion fortune. She reflected on her decision to legally change her name and cut ties with Musk in 2022, emphasising her desire for independence and a normal life. Wilson also spoke about growing up in privilege, dropping out of college, and navigating fame after landing a Teen Vogue cover. Her story highlights themes of identity, estrangement, and self-reliance in the face of unimaginable family wealth.
Elon Musk’s trans daughter Vivian Wilson reveals why she lives simply with 3 roommates
Vivian Wilson, the eldest of Musk’s 14 children, made headlines in 2022 when she filed a petition to legally change her name and gender. At just 16, she took a bold step to separate her identity from Musk, requesting that her new name remove any association with him.This decision marked a turning point in their relationship, with Wilson cutting off contact entirely. Since then, she has been vocal about her estrangement, even calling Musk a “pathetic man-child” in past social media posts as reported by The Cut. Musk, in turn, has blamed “the woke mind virus” for the rift, claiming he was “tricked” into allowing her transition.As reported, despite being the child of one of the world’s richest men, Musk’s fortune is estimated at $413 billion. Wilson insists she is financially independent and far from wealthy.“People assume I have a lot of money,” she explained. “I don’t have hundreds of thousands of dollars at my disposal.”Wilson said she shares an apartment with three roommates in Los Angeles because it is more affordable and admitted that she has no desire to live a life of luxury. “I don’t have a desire to be super-rich,” she added.
Vivian Wilson opens up about school, languages, and college life
Wilson acknowledged that she grew up in a life of privilege, attending a private school filled with children of Hollywood stars and entrepreneurs. She noted that her classmates included celebrity children like Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin’s daughter, Apple Martin.She revealed to The Cut that she was taught multiple languages — Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish — and pursued higher education in both Canada and Japan before dropping out. Interestingly, she blamed AI for dampening her drive to continue studying, saying it “killed her motivation.”This reflection shows how even privileged children can struggle with pressure, expectations, and the need to carve out their own identity outside of their family’s name.
Vivian’s stand for the LGBTQ+ community
Vivian has become an important voice within the transgender and LGBTQ+ community. She recently participated in Pattie Gonia’s SAVE HER drag show in Los Angeles, waving a transgender pride flag during her final bow.This moment not only symbolized her embrace of her identity but also demonstrated her willingness to use her platform to advocate for visibility and acceptance within the trans community.Despite her high-profile family name, Wilson emphasised that she lives a grounded, everyday life. “I can afford food. I have friends, a shelter, and some expendable income, which is nice and much more fortunate than most people my age in Los Angeles,” she said.Her remarks suggest a deliberate effort to stay grounded and create a life that reflects her values, free from the shadow of her father’s wealth and global fame.
Wilson shares mixed feelings about fame from privacy to spotlight
Wilson has recently gained attention after landing a cover feature with Teen Vogue and signing with a talent agent. Despite her rising public profile, she admitted that she struggles with fame.“I fought so hard for so long to be viewed as a regular person. There was a moment literally right before I became famous where no one knew who I was. It was amazing. Everyone treated me as a regular person,” she said.Though she finds fame overwhelming at times, she acknowledged its benefits, noting that it provides her with an income and opportunities that help her maintain independence.