“If there’s no love, no long-term companion, I cannot be happy. Having to go to sleep alone every day could kill me—not that I haven’t experienced that feeling before,” Elon Musk confessed in a rare and deeply personal interview.

On November 18, 2017, while the world was buzzing with headlines about Tesla’s trucks being able to survive a nuclear blast and the launch of the Tesla Semi—an electric truck capable of 500 miles on a single charge—Musk revealed something far more personal: the inner struggles of his heart. In a candid conversation with Rolling Stone, the billionaire spoke openly about his heartbreak following the end of his relationship with Amber Heard.

It was particularly surprising, considering Musk had once stated in 2010: “I’d rather stick a fork in my eye than write about my personal life.” Yet here he was, baring his soul.

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO admitted that he is searching for new love, a lasting relationship, even going so far as to ask the reporter, almost earnestly, for advice on how he should date.

Elon explained: “If there’s no love, no long-term companion, I cannot be happy. Sleeping alone every night can feel like it’s slowly killing you. You find yourself in an empty house, footsteps echoing down the hall, no one around. And no one lying beside you at night. I often wonder how anyone can be truly happy enduring such feelings.”

The Early Years: Fear of Loneliness

Musk told Rolling Stone that even as a child, he feared being alone. “When I was young, there was one thing I always dreaded: being by myself,” he admitted. This fear would shape his relationships and his desire for companionship throughout life.

His first encounter with love came at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, where he met Justine Wilson. The young billionaire invited Justine for ice cream on their very first meeting—a small, simple gesture that hinted at Musk’s mix of charm and audacity.

Justine, a Canadian writer, recalled being impressed when Musk handed her a credit card and told her to buy as many books as she wanted. Their romance blossomed, and they married in 2000.

The couple moved to Los Angeles and had a son named Nevada, who tragically passed away from SIDS. They later had twins and then triplets, bringing their total to five children. Despite divorcing in 2008, Justine kept Musk’s last name, recognizing the bond it gave their children.

In 2013, Musk reflected that his children were the love of his life, even after divorce. While the marriage ended, the connection to family remained a central pillar in Musk’s personal universe.

Talulah Riley: A Relationship Full of Twists

After his divorce, Musk began dating actress Talulah Riley. The relationship was anything but simple. While Musk and his ex-wife grew distant, Justine maintained an unusually amicable relationship with Riley, even emailing her: “I’d rather live in a French film version of life, where two women love the same man but remain friends.”

Musk and Riley married in 2010, only to divorce two years later. Musk took to Twitter to reflect on the experience: “Four wonderful years.” Yet the story didn’t end there—by 2013, the couple remarried, and two years later, Musk filed for divorce again. Even after their final split, Riley told People, “We still meet and care for each other occasionally.”

Amber Heard: Love Amid Chaos

In 2016, Musk entered a relationship with actress Amber Heard, known for her Hollywood fame and previous marriage to Johnny Depp. The romance was intense but short-lived. After a year, their demanding schedules and divergent careers led to their separation.

Even after parting ways, Musk remained publicly supportive and affectionate on social media, often commenting on Heard’s Instagram posts. “We are still close friends,” he explained. “Who knows what the future holds?” Musk admitted, revealing the vulnerability behind his billionaire persona: “I loved genuinely, and that love left me hurt.”

The Heart of a Man Who Works and Loves Relentlessly

Elon Musk’s personal life is a study in contrasts: a man working hundreds of hours a week, revolutionizing space travel, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence, yet also yearning for human connection and love. From his early fear of loneliness, to his first heartbreak, to the whirlwind romances with Talulah Riley, Amber Heard, and later Grimes, Musk’s story reminds the world that even the most powerful and ambitious individuals need love to truly be happy.

It’s a rare glimpse into the human side of a man often portrayed as a genius, a disruptor, or a workaholic. Behind the billions, the launches, and the headlines, Elon Musk is a man who feels deeply, who is wounded by loss, and who still dares to seek love with the same intensity he devotes to his work.