In a world where wealth and privilege often define opportunity, Vivian Jenna Wilson, the 21-year-old transgender daughter of Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has chosen a strikingly different path. Despite her father’s staggering $413 billion fortune, Vivian has revealed she is financially strained, sharing an apartment with three roommates in Los Angeles to make ends meet. Her decision to distance herself from Musk, both emotionally and financially, stems from a deeply fractured relationship, marked by public disputes and ideological clashes. In a candid interview in September 2025, Vivian shed light on her modest lifestyle, her aspirations, and the complexities of being the estranged daughter of a billionaire who has publicly disavowed her identity. Her story highlights the personal cost of standing up for one’s beliefs and the challenges of forging an independent path in the shadow of unimaginable wealth.

A Public Falling-Out

Vivian Wilson, born in 2004 as one of twins to Musk and his first wife, Canadian author Justine Wilson, has been estranged from her father since her teenage years. The rift became public in 2022 when, at 18, she legally changed her name from Xavier Alexander Musk to Vivian Jenna Wilson, adopting her mother’s maiden name. In her court petition, she declared, “I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape, or form.” The decision was rooted in her coming out as transgender at 16, a milestone that Musk, a vocal critic of progressive ideologies, has repeatedly challenged.

The tension escalated in July 2024 when Musk, in an interview with conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, claimed Vivian was “dead, killed by the woke mind virus” and that he had been “tricked” into consenting to her gender-affirming medical treatment at 16. Vivian fired back on social media, calling her father a “pathetic man-child” and refuting his claims as fabrications. She denied his anecdotes about her childhood, such as his assertion that she loved musicals and used terms like “fabulous” at age four, accusing him of perpetuating gay stereotypes to undermine her identity. Their public feud has since intensified, with Vivian using platforms like Threads and Instagram to critique Musk’s far-right political shift and his role in the Trump administration.

A Modest Life in Los Angeles

In a recent interview with The Cut, Vivian opened up about her financial reality, dispelling assumptions that her father’s wealth translates to her own. “People assume I have a lot of money. I don’t have hundreds of thousands of dollars at my disposal,” she said. Living in Los Angeles, one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., Vivian shares an apartment with three roommates to keep costs down. “It’s cheaper,” she explained, emphasizing her desire for financial independence. Despite her mother, Justine Wilson, being a successful author, Vivian insists she relies on her own resources, stating, “My mom is rich, right? But obviously the other one [Musk]… is unimaginable degrees of wealthy.”

Vivian’s lifestyle stands in stark contrast to the opulence associated with her father, whose real estate portfolio includes a $70 million private jet, a $100 million Los Angeles mansion, and a sprawling compound in Austin, Texas, where he houses several of his 14 children and their mothers. While Musk’s wealth affords him luxuries like private islands and space exploration ventures, Vivian’s daily concerns revolve around affordability. She expressed uncertainty about enrolling in community college due to financial constraints, despite having studied languages in Canada and Japan. “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, acknowledging her relative privilege while highlighting her modest circumstances.

A Childhood Marked by Absence

Vivian’s estrangement from Musk is rooted in a childhood she describes as marked by his absence and disapproval. In interviews, she has painted a picture of a father who was rarely present, estimating he was around “maybe 10% of the time.” When he was present, she alleges, he was critical, harassing her for her “femininity and queerness.” Vivian, who is bisexual and identifies as a leftist, has accused Musk of being “cold,” “uncaring,” and “narcissistic,” claims that contrast with his public image as a family man. Musk, in turn, has attributed their rift to ideological differences, blaming “neo-Marxist” influences at elite schools for turning Vivian against him.

Vivian’s mother, Justine, has been a source of support throughout her transition. When Vivian came out via a text to her aunt at 16, saying, “Hey, I’m transgender, and my name is now Jenna. Don’t tell my dad,” Justine was quick to embrace her daughter’s identity. “She was very supportive of my transition,” Vivian told Teen Vogue. “She pretended to be slightly surprised for 30 seconds and then was like, ‘Yeah, honey. Okay.’” This contrast between her parents’ reactions has shaped Vivian’s decision to maintain a close relationship with her mother while cutting ties with Musk.

Navigating Fame and Identity

Vivian’s public profile has grown significantly since her 2022 name change, propelled by her outspoken criticism of her father and her advocacy for transgender rights. In March 2025, she graced the cover of Teen Vogue, where she discussed her experiences as a young trans woman in a polarized political climate. She described the Trump administration’s policies, which Musk supports, as “cartoonishly evil,” particularly for their impact on transgender people, migrants, and marginalized communities. Her drag debut at a Los Angeles fundraiser for immigrant legal defense in June 2025, where she performed under a transgender flag, further cemented her role as an activist.

Despite her growing fame, Vivian remains grounded, embracing her “cringe” and “chronically online” persona. She spends hours on Discord with friends, enjoys RuPaul’s Drag Race, and cites The Hunger Games as a formative influence, humorously declaring herself “Team Peeta” in interviews. Her aspirations include modeling—she signed with CAA Fashion in May 2025—and possibly Twitch streaming, though she once hoped to become a translator, having studied French, Spanish, and Japanese. The spotlight, while challenging, has given her a platform to redefine herself beyond being “Elon Musk’s daughter.”

The Cost of Independence

Vivian’s financial struggles are a direct result of her choice to reject Musk’s wealth. Since coming out as transgender in 2020, she has been financially independent, relying on her own efforts rather than her father’s fortune. This decision has not been without challenges. Having attended college in Canada and Tokyo, she dropped out, citing a lack of motivation partly attributed to the rise of artificial intelligence, which she believes diminishes opportunities in fields like translation. Her current plans to enroll in community college reflect her determination to forge her own path, even if it means living frugally.

Musk’s public narrative has framed Vivian’s transition as a loss, claiming she was “killed by the woke mind virus.” He has also suggested that her school, a private institution attended by other “nepo babies” like Apple Martin, daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow, indoctrinated her with radical ideologies. Vivian dismisses these claims, arguing that her father’s rightward political shift—evidenced by his support for Donald Trump and controversial gestures like a salute at Trump’s inauguration—has nothing to do with her transition. “Him going further on the right is not because of me,” she told Teen Vogue. “That’s insane.”

A Polarized Public Response

The public reaction to Vivian’s story has been deeply divided, reflecting the broader cultural and political polarization in the United States. On X, Musk’s platform, his supporters have criticized Vivian, accusing her of ingratitude and aligning with progressive ideologies they deride as “woke.” Some have echoed Musk’s narrative, portraying her as a rebellious child swayed by leftist dogma. Conversely, Vivian has garnered significant support from transgender activists and those critical of Musk’s political influence. Her sharp wit and defiance—calling Musk a “pathetic man-child” and dismissing his wealth as irrelevant—have resonated with those who see her as a symbol of resistance against powerful figures.

Vivian’s story has also sparked broader conversations about privilege, family dynamics, and the expectations placed on the children of billionaires. While Musk’s wealth could have afforded her a life of luxury, her rejection of it reflects a desire to live authentically, free from the constraints of her father’s expectations. Her mother’s support and her own resilience have allowed her to carve out a space for herself, even as she navigates financial hardship and public scrutiny.

A Future of Her Own Making

Vivian Jenna Wilson’s journey is one of defiance, resilience, and self-discovery. By choosing to live independently in Los Angeles, sharing an apartment with roommates and contemplating community college, she has rejected the trappings of her father’s wealth to pursue a life true to her identity. Her public criticism of Musk, from his anti-trans rhetoric to his political alliances, has positioned her as a vocal advocate for marginalized communities, even as it invites backlash from his supporters.

As she builds her future, Vivian remains unapologetic about her choices. “I don’t give a f*** how much money anyone has,” she told Teen Vogue, dismissing fears about her father’s power. Her story is a testament to the strength it takes to stand up to one of the world’s most influential figures, choosing authenticity over wealth. In a society quick to judge the children of billionaires, Vivian’s modest lifestyle and outspoken activism challenge assumptions about privilege, proving that even the daughter of the world’s richest man can forge her own path—one roommate at a time.