Talulah Riley is best known for her two marriages to Elon Musk, but her story extends far beyond the settlements and headlines. She is an accomplished actress, novelist, and AI researcher who built a distinct career alongside one of the world’s most famous entrepreneurs.
Marriages to Elon Musk: Two (2010, 2013), divorced both times ·
Financial settlement from Musk: Reported around $25 million combined ·
Children with Musk: None ·
Instagram followers: 217,000 (as of 2025) ·
Known for: Acting roles in ‘Pride & Prejudice’, ‘Inception’, ‘Westworld’
Quick snapshot
- English actress and novelist born 26 September 1985 in Hertfordshire (Wikipedia).
- Known for roles in Pride & Prejudice, Inception, and Westworld (IMDb).
- Also published two novels and co-founded an AI research company (Business Insider).
- Riley and Musk had no biological children together (CNN Money).
- Riley helped care for Musk’s five children from his marriage to Justine Musk (Business Insider).
- She has no biological children publicly known (People).
- Reported settlements from Musk around $25 million combined across both divorces (The Independent).
- First divorce settlement based on prenuptial agreement; second settlement reported at roughly $20 million in assets and cash (Time).
- Her acting, writing, and AI work contribute additional income. (The Independent)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Talulah Jane Riley-Milburn |
| Date of birth | 26 September 1985 |
| Place of birth | Hertfordshire, England |
| Occupation | Actress, novelist, AI researcher |
| Marriages | Two to Elon Musk (2010-2012, 2013-2016) |
| Children | None |
| Notable roles | Mary Bennet in Pride & Prejudice, Angela in Inception, Armistice in Westworld |
Did Talulah Riley have children with Elon Musk?
The straightforward answer: no. Talulah Riley did not have any biological children with Elon Musk across their two marriages. Multiple independent sources confirm this, including divorce filings and biographical profiles (CNN Money, People). Musk’s children — five with first wife Justine Musk and later children with other partners — are entirely separate from his marriages to Riley.
No biological children
Every reliable source covering Riley’s biography states she has no children. Her IMDb biography lists no offspring, and divorce reports consistently describe the couple as having no children together (CNN Money).
Family life and stepsons
During her marriages to Musk, Riley did help raise his five sons from his previous marriage. A 2022 profile from Business Insider reported that Riley took a break from acting to help care for Musk’s children, describing her role as a stepmother figure. This arrangement was amicable: Musk and Riley remained friendly after both divorces.
The pattern: Riley stepped into a maternal role for Musk’s children without having her own biological children with him. This nuance matters because online searches often conflate “children with Musk” with “helped raise Musk’s children.”
How much did Talulah Riley get from Elon Musk?
The exact settlement amounts have never been officially disclosed, but multiple reputable sources report figures around $25 million combined across both divorces. Here is what is verified.
First divorce settlement
When Riley and Musk divorced for the first time in 2012, the financial details were not publicly reported in detail. The divorce was described as less financially complex because it fell under a prenuptial agreement (The Independent). The pair reconciled within a year, so the settlement may have been smaller or reversed.
Second divorce settlement
The second divorce, finalized in 2016, drew more attention. A Time report from 2015 stated that Musk agreed to give Riley $16 million in cash and other assets. The The Independent reported the same $16 million figure. Later summaries, including from BritainDaily.uk, estimate the total second settlement at roughly $20 million in assets and cash, though this figure is not officially confirmed.
Total reported amount
Adding the reported $16 million from the second divorce plus the first divorce’s undisclosed but likely smaller settlement, the combined figure often cited is around $25 million. The four-card snapshot above lists this as the reported cumulative amount.
These figures are sourced from news reports, not court documents. Neither party has publicly confirmed exact dollar amounts. The settlements were described as amicable and based on existing agreements.
The implication: Riley received enough to maintain financial independence, but her wealth also comes from her own acting, writing, and AI ventures.
Why did Elon Musk marry Talulah Riley twice?
The unusual double marriage has fascinated tabloids and fans alike. The answer lies in a timeline of reconciliation after their first split.
First wedding in 2010
Riley met Musk at a London club in 2008, and they married in September 2010 at Dornoch Cathedral in Scotland (Wikipedia). Riley was 25, Musk was 39.
Divorce and reconciliation in 2012-2013
The first divorce was finalized in March 2012 (Wikipedia). However, the couple reconciled within months. By July 2013, they were remarried in a small ceremony.
Second wedding in 2013
The second marriage began in July 2013. During this period, Riley continued acting and Musk’s career accelerated with Tesla and SpaceX milestones.
Final separation in 2016
In March 2016, Riley filed for divorce in Los Angeles with mutual consent (CNN Money). The divorce was finalized on October 21, 2016 (IMDb). Musk had filed for divorce on New Year’s Eve 2014 but revoked that petition in June 2015 (Business Insider).
What happened between Elon Musk and Talulah Riley?
The full story of their relationship spans nearly a decade, from a chance meeting to two marriages and two divorces.
Meeting and early relationship
Riley met Musk in 2008 at a London nightclub. She was a rising actress; he was already a billionaire entrepreneur. They began dating and married two years later.
Marriage and separation
Their first marriage lasted from 2010 to 2012. Sources described the split as amicable. After reconciling, they remarried in 2013. During the second marriage, Riley took a break from acting to help raise Musk’s children (Business Insider).
Divorce and after
The second divorce was finalized in 2016. Both parties described the proceedings as amicable (CNN Money). Musk publicly called Riley “really special” in interviews. Riley later married actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster in 2024 (Wikipedia).
How old was Talulah Riley when she was with Elon Musk?
Age provides useful context for understanding the power dynamics in their relationship.
Age at first marriage
Riley was 25 when she married Musk in September 2010. Musk was 39 at the time, a 14-year age gap.
Age at final divorce
She was 31 when the second divorce was finalized in October 2016.
The pattern: Riley spent her late twenties and early thirties in a high-profile marriage to one of the world’s richest men. That period overlaps with her most visible acting work and the start of her writing and AI career.
Who is Elon Musk’s most loved wife?
This question appears often in searches, pointing to the public’s curiosity about Musk’s romantic life.
Musk’s quotes about Riley
Musk has described Riley as “really special” in public interviews. He has not ranked his marriages, but his comments suggest genuine affection. After their final divorce, he said in a Business Insider profile that their relationship remained friendly.
Public perception
No definitive ranking exists. Musk’s first wife Justine Musk has spoken publicly about their divorce, and later partners like Grimes and Shivon Zilis have had children with him. Riley’s marriages are often viewed as the most amicable of Musk’s known relationships.
Talulah Riley’s Career Beyond Elon Musk
Riley’s professional life extends well beyond her marriages. She built a credible career in film, literature, and artificial intelligence.
Acting roles
Riley’s most famous roles include Mary Bennet in the 2005 film Pride & Prejudice, Angela in Christopher Nolan’s Inception (2010), and Armistice in HBO’s Westworld (2016-2020) (IMDb). She also appeared in Doctor Who, St. Trinian’s, and The Boat That Rocked.
Writing and directing
Riley is the author of two novels: Acts of Love (2016) and Lying in Wait (2018). She also wrote and directed the short film Greedy Lying Bastard.
AI research
In 2020, Riley co-founded an AI research company with Connor Leahy. She has spoken about her interest in artificial intelligence and machine learning in interviews, marking a significant pivot from entertainment.
vardags.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, britaindaily.uk, briefscape.uk, businessinsider.com, marieclaire.com
Frequently asked questions
Did Talulah Riley have children with Elon Musk?
No. Riley and Musk had zero biological children together. She helped raise his five sons from his first marriage but has no children of her own (CNN Money, People).
How much did Talulah Riley get from her divorce settlements?
Reported estimates range around $25 million combined across both divorces. The second divorce settlement was reported at $16 million by Time and The Independent. Exact amounts remain undisclosed.
Why did Elon Musk and Talulah Riley divorce twice?
They divorced in 2012, reconciled within a year, remarried in 2013, and divorced again in 2016. Both splits were described as amicable (Wikipedia, CNN Money).
Who is Talulah Riley’s current husband or partner?
Riley married actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster in 2024 (Wikipedia). She was previously married to Elon Musk.
What is Talulah Riley’s net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly confirmed. Reported divorce settlements from Musk total around $25 million, plus income from acting, writing, and AI ventures.
What are Talulah Riley’s most famous movie roles?
She is best known for playing Mary Bennet in Pride & Prejudice (2005), Angela in Inception (2010), and Armistice in HBO’s Westworld (IMDb).
Has Talulah Riley written any books?
Yes, she authored two novels: Acts of Love (2016) and Lying in Wait (2018).
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James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Voice, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.