2025-06-29T10:02:07Z

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On June 29, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and co-founder of SpaceX, celebrated his 54th birthday in a manner that combined both personal joy and public scrutiny. The occasion was marked by heartfelt tributes from his loved ones, particularly from Shivon Zilis, a prominent figure in his life and a fellow executive at Neuralink, the neurotechnology company co-founded by Musk. Zilis, who has a Punjabi heritage from her mother and Canadian roots from her father, took to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to share a nostalgic birthday tribute to Musk.

In her post, Zilis shared a touching collage of images that juxtaposed a throwback photograph of a younger Musk celebrating with a clown-shaped birthday cake against a more recent image of him with a similar cake. She captioned the post with a playful, “Happy birthday rocket man,” encapsulating both affection and a nod to Musk's high-flying ambitions.

The couple shares four children: twins Strider and Azure, born in November 2021, a daughter named Arcadia, and a son named Seldon Lycurgus. Although the birthday post did not feature their children, Zilis often shares glimpses of family life on her X page, where their kids occasionally make appearances.

Despite the personal celebrations, Musk's birthday was also overshadowed by protests. According to a report from CBC, demonstrations were held across North America, reflecting a number of contentious issues surrounding Musk's influence and business practices. This juxtaposition of celebration and protest highlights the polarizing figure that Musk has become in contemporary society.

Adding to the birthday wishes, Musk's mother, Maye Musk, shared her own tribute, posting a collage of cherished memories along with a touching message. She stated, “Happy birthday Elon Musk. My genius boy. Thank you for 54 years of fun, sleepless nights, excitement, surprises, and entertainment. So proud of you.” This heartfelt message underscores the complex emotions intertwined in Musk's life, as he balances his roles as a business magnate and a devoted father and son.

Interestingly, recent reports, including one from the Wall Street Journal, revealed that Zilis holds a “special status” within Musk's inner circle, being described as the “most prominent of Musk’s mothers.” This distinction reflects her significant role not just as a partner but also as a key contributor to Musk's ventures.