In a candid conversation that spanned technology, innovation, and personal life, tech billionaire Elon Musk shared intimate family details with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath. The much-anticipated episode of Kamath's 'WTF' podcast, released on December 1, 2025, offered a rare glimpse into Musk's personal world, including revelations about his partner's heritage and his philosophy on fatherhood.
Shivon Zilis's Indian Heritage and a Nod to a Nobel Laureate
During the wide-ranging discussion, Musk opened up about the Indian roots of his partner, Shivon Zilis, a project director at his neural technology company Neuralink. Musk revealed that Zilis is "half Indian," a fact that surprised host Nikhil Kamath. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO provided further insight, connecting this heritage to the name of one of their sons.
"One of my sons with her is, middle name is Sekhar, after Nobel laureate (Subrahmanyan) Chandrasekhar," Musk stated. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar was the pioneering Indian-American astrophysicist who received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983 for his theoretical studies on the evolution of stars.
When Kamath inquired if Zilis had spent time in India, Musk clarified her background. He explained that she grew up in Canada after being given up for adoption as a baby. Musk mentioned that her biological father was likely an exchange student at a university, though he was not certain of all the precise details surrounding her early life and adoption.
Musk's Passionate Advocacy for Parenthood
The conversation took a philosophical turn when Kamath mentioned that he does not have children. Musk immediately and emphatically encouraged him to consider it, stating, "Well, it is maybe you should." After Kamath noted that many people give him the same advice, Musk reassured him with a simple, "You will not regret it."
Asked about the best aspect of having kids, Musk described the profound emotional bond. "You have got this little creature that loves you, and you love this little creature," he said. He reflected on the unique experience of watching a child's consciousness develop, from a helpless infant to a thinking, talking individual with fascinating perspectives.
Musk then framed parenthood as a crucial imperative for the human species, moving beyond personal joy to a collective responsibility. "I think we fundamentally have to have kids or go extinct," he noted, highlighting his long-stated concern about declining birth rates and its implications for humanity's future.
A Landmark Podcast Episode
The podcast episode, now available on Nikhil Kamath's YouTube channel, has generated significant buzz online since its release. Kamath's collaboration with one of the world's most influential entrepreneurs was itself a major event for Indian tech and business audiences. While the discussion delved into expected topics like entrepreneurship and innovation, it was these personal revelations that captured widespread public attention.
The disclosure about Shivon Zilis's ancestry and the meaningful naming of their son celebrates a connection to Indian scientific excellence. It also adds a deeply personal layer to the public understanding of Elon Musk, an figure often defined solely by his revolutionary companies and ambitious visions for the future.
