On June 12, the Wall Street Journal published an article shedding light on the romantic controversies surrounding Elon Musk at SpaceX, the company he founded.

 

 

According to sources cited by the WSJ, a former intern at SpaceX was personally recruited by Musk to join the company’s executive team in 2017.

 

Excited about her new role at the leading space startup, the young woman shared her enthusiasm with friends.

 

However, her connection with Musk dates back several years, when she first met him as a student interning at the company in 2010.

 

With a 20-year age difference, their relationship evolved from professional discussions about improving SpaceX to dating, culminating in a romantic encounter.

 

A Secret Affair Between the CEO and the Intern

 

In 2017, after Musk invited her to join the executive team, the intern moved from New York to Los Angeles to work for the billionaire.

 

Despite her talent as an engineer, some former employees found it strange for an intern to hold such a close and high-ranking position with Musk.

 

The Wall Street Journal reported that once she arrived in California, Musk invited her for drinks and made inappropriate advances, saying, “Oh, I’m so bad. I shouldn’t be doing this.”

 

The intern recounted, “Elon Musk tried to rekindle our relationship before I started working. But I declined. Initially, I felt awkward, but after I rejected him, everything seemed normal.”

 

She confided in friends about her dissatisfaction with her role at SpaceX, feeling powerless and struggling to convince executives to consider her ideas seriously.

 

At times, she even had to hide in the company restroom to cope with the pressure.

 

 

Struggles in the Workplace

 

As she faced numerous challenges at work, the intern frequently visited Musk at his home.

 

A friend revealed, “He texted her a lot.”

 

When she occasionally declined his late-night invitations, Musk persistently messaged her, expressing his frustration.

 

Within six months of working at SpaceX, she received numerous invitations to Musk’s home, including messages like, “Come over,” followed by urgent pleas: “Are you coming? If not, I might faint. It’s too stressful to sleep.”

 

When she finally responded the next morning, she apologized, explaining she had overslept.

 

In an email, she mentioned that Musk’s lack of attention to subordinates made her job increasingly difficult.

 

Additionally, her foundational skills were lacking, which exacerbated her challenges in an already tough position.

 

The Impact of Personal Relationships on Professional Life

 

The intern and Musk frequently communicated as she helped him navigate various challenges, including issues at Tesla and his divorce from actress Talulah Riley.

 

Musk was still married to Riley while having a romantic relationship with the intern years earlier.

 

They divorced in 2016, but the emotional toll on Musk was evident.

 

Eventually, the intern left SpaceX in 2019 after her direct supervisor was fired.

 

Allegations of Coercion and Inappropriate Requests

 

The Wall Street Journal uncovered that the intern was not the only woman embroiled in romantic rumors with Musk at SpaceX.

 

In the summer of 2013, a woman who worked directly under Musk left the company and subsequently sued him, claiming he had repeatedly asked her to bear his child.

 

She rejected Musk’s proposition but continued working for him, despite their relationship deteriorating.

 

Sources indicated that alongside the allegations of coercion, Musk refused to grant her a raise and complained about her performance.

 

In the same year, another woman who had an affair with Musk angered SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, who accused her of cheating with her husband.

 

When the woman reported the incident to HR, the information was relayed to Shotwell, who ultimately sought to have her removed from the office.

 

 

An Ongoing Pattern of Behavior

 

Despite Shotwell’s attempts to distance the woman from Musk, he insisted on keeping her close.

 

In the fall of 2014, Musk began a romantic relationship with another woman, requesting her to work directly under him.

 

At that time, Musk was still married but separated from Riley.

 

The two grew closer, often working side by side and discussing work-related matters.

 

Friends and family noted that she lost weight and experienced hair loss due to the stress of working long hours, compounded by ongoing tensions with Shotwell.

 

One day, Musk approached her desk, inviting her for drinks and conversation at his Bel-Air estate in Los Angeles.

 

After arriving at Musk’s home that evening, she brought her laptop and work materials, entering the living room.

 

In the following days, they continued to drink and converse, with Musk complimenting her on her beauty and intelligence.

 

Their relationship quickly escalated to a sexual one, with much of their time spent together focused on intimate conversations.

 

 

Promises and Disillusionment

 

They met again at Musk’s home in mid-December 2014, after his children had gone to bed.

 

The next morning, while still in bed, Musk promised to compensate her with Tesla stock for her unpaid work during their relationship.

 

Initially, she believed their relationship was serious.

 

However, by the end of December, she confided in friends that she felt exploited.

 

While she had hoped to keep their relationship private, it deepened, leading her to seek more than just drinks, visits, or intimacy.

 

When she suggested going out for dinner, Musk declined, stating he couldn’t be seen with her publicly due to his ongoing divorce negotiations with Riley.

 

Ultimately, Musk refused to reward her with Tesla shares.

 

His legal team offered her $35,400 in cash for her unpaid work, suggesting she could use the money to buy shares instead.

 

She negotiated for $85,000 but had to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

 

After leaving SpaceX, Musk claimed she approached him when he was vulnerable following his divorce and insisted that their intimacy began only after she resigned.

 

“I was sad, tired, and wanted to be alone,” he stated.

 

Since then, the two have not been in contact.

 

Conclusion

 

Elon Musk’s romantic entanglements at SpaceX reveal a complex web of personal and professional relationships marked by power dynamics and allegations of misconduct.

 

As the stories unfold, they raise critical questions about workplace ethics and the responsibilities of leaders in maintaining professional boundaries.

 

In a world where personal relationships can significantly impact careers, Musk’s experiences serve as a cautionary tale for both employees and employers alike.

 

As more details emerge, the implications of these revelations will likely resonate throughout the tech industry and beyond.

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