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Vivian Wilson, the estranged daughter of billionaire Elon Musk, is speaking out about her financial independence and life outside her father's shadow.
The 21-year-old model and social media personality revealed during the Teen Vogue 2025 Summit in Los Angeles on September 20 that she is now earning her own money after landing her March cover with the magazine.
"I'm financially independent," Vivian told the audience. "I'm making money now. Pre-Teen Vogue [cover], no. People have a lot of assumptions, and you just kinda have to deal with that."
Earlier this month, Vivian also addressed the common misconception that she is wealthy because of her famous father. Speaking to The Cut, she clarified, "People assume I have a lot of money. I don't have hundreds of thousands of dollars at my disposal. My mom is rich, right? But obviously, the other one is unimaginable degrees of wealthy."
Vivian explained that she lives with three roommates to cut costs and has no desire to match her father's immense fortune. "I can afford food. I have friends, a shelter, and some expendable income, which is much more than most people my age in Los Angeles," she said.
Despite growing up in a high-profile family, Vivian has made it clear she isn't chasing fame. "I'm not very good at being famous. It's a skill," she admitted. "I fought so hard to be viewed as a regular person. There was a moment, right before I became famous, where no one knew who I was. I kind of miss that, but I also like being famous because it makes me money."
Vivian publicly distanced herself from Elon in 2020 when she came out as transgender, later legally changing her name and gender. Musk, who often shares anti-trans views online, has been estranged from her since.
Elon and Vivian's mother, Justine Musk, were married from 2000 to 2008 and share six children, including Vivian's twin brother Griffin and triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian. Their firstborn, Nevada, died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome at 10 weeks old.
Now, as Vivian builds her own career, she's determined to define herself on her own terms. "People will always make assumptions," she said, "but I'm focused on living my life the way I want to."
