Grimes, the ex-partner of Elon Musk, recently revealed that she is on the verge of bankruptcy due to a lengthy custody battle over their three children: X Æ A-Xii, Exa Dark Sideræl, and Techno Mechanicus. The dispute, which began in 2023, has severely impacted her finances and emotional well-being.
A custody dispute takes a Toll
Grimes, born Claire Elise Boucher, has been locked in a bitter custody war with Musk, with lawsuits filed in California and Texas. The case has now reportedly ended in Texas. While both parties have remained largely silent, Grimes opened up on X (formerly Twitter), explaining how the stress of potentially losing her children, combined with the financial strain, has hampered her ability to focus on her music and creativity. She stated, “The threat of losing my kids while going bankrupt fighting for them doesn’t help creativity.”
Financial Struggles Amid Legal Battle
Grimes further shared that much of her work had been put on hold over the past four years, balancing motherhood and the ongoing legal proceedings. Despite Musk’s net worth of $315 billion, she claimed she has only received a fraction of his wealth. Grimes criticized the Texas legal system for using her social media posts and modeling career against her, preventing her from fully participating in her children’s lives.
Dispute Over Custody Locations and Legal Strategy
A key issue in the custody battle has been where the case should be heard: California, where the children live, or Texas, where Musk’s legal team pushed for the case to be held. Legal experts note both states use the same standard to determine custody, focusing on the best interest of the child. However, Texas has stricter child support laws, limiting payouts, which would be more generous in California.
Grimes also mentioned she hasn’t seen one of her children in five months, emphasizing her frustration with the custody process.
Relationship Tensions and Public Debate
Although Grimes and Musk briefly appeared to have a more cordial relationship in April, tensions resurfaced later, with Grimes’s mother accusing Musk of hiding the children. As the custody battle continues, many are watching how it will evolve and how it will affect both Grimes’s personal and professional life.
