No Easy Path
Elon Musk and his first wife, Justine Musk, welcomed their first of six children in 2002. Their daughter, Nevada Alexander Musk, was born on May 17th, 2002 but tragically died just 10 weeks later.
For a long time, the circumstances and details surrounding the passing of Nevada have been shrouded in mystery. All that was publicly known was that Nevada died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) whilst sleeping in her crib.
However, it wasn’t until several years later when Justine herself broke her silence about the tragedy in an essay entitled “Elon Musk and I Used to be Married”. In the essay, Justine shares some powerful personal insights about the difficulty of losing a child and the ripple effects of that experience.
As Justine explains, there wasn’t any medical issue leading up to Nevada’s death. While Nevada was a healthy baby at the time of her passing, SIDS is a mysterious and misunderstood phenomenon. Experts believe that SIDS is caused by a combination of risk factors, such as an infant’s environment, sleeping position, and medical history, but there is no certain way to predict or prevent it, making it all the more terrifying for parents.
This is a fear that Elon and Justine had to grapple with in the aftermath of Nevada’s death.
Grief and Healing
The grief that Elon and Justine experienced was unbearable. Justine describes the toll that the loss of Nevada took on her relationship, how her marriage to Elon began to deteriorate, and the negative impact that it had on all the members of their family.
To cope, Elon and Justine leaned on the community of friends and family who came around them to support them during this incredibly difficult time.
While the toll of losing Nevada can never be forgotten, Elon and Justine have received help and support in their healing journey.
Starting Over
In 2008, Elon and Justine’s marriage ended and they both went on to find new partners and start new lives. They have since each started families with their new partners, both finding joy and happiness with the new paths they took.
For Justine, one of the most difficult and rewarding aspects of the journey was learning to accept and open up about what happened to Nevada. In an interview with Oprah, Justine talked about how she eventually came to terms with the tragedy and reached a place of healing and acceptance.
Legacy of Love
Although Nevada was only with them for a brief time, Elon and Justine honor her memory in different ways. Justine often speaks publicly about Nevada and the impact that the tragedy had on her life, in essence keeping her in the conversation.
Elon, however, has remained a bit more private in his remembrance. In 2018, Elon named his first son X AE A-XII, which is pronounced “X Ash A-12”. When asked why he chose this name, he stated: “X, the unknown variable. AE, my contribution. A-12, the Archangel of the original concept.”
To those close to Elon and Justine, it is clear that the name is a tribute to Nevada. With X for “the unknown”, AE for “Justine’s contribution”, and A-12 for the “Archangel prototype”, the name is a beautiful way to honor the memory of their daughter.
Finding Strength
The tragedy of Nevada’s passing was an unfathomable tragedy for both Elon and Justine. But through their respective journeys, healing, and ultimately creating a new life for themselves, Elon and Justine have continued to find strength and resilience within themselves.
No matter what the future holds, both Elon and Justine will always have their shared experience of the love, loss, and support that they experienced with their first-born daughter, Nevada.
What Can Parents Do?
It is impossible to predict the circumstances surrounding the passing of an infant. However, there are some steps that parents can take to help reduce the risk of SIDS.
Many experts agree that the safest way for an infant to sleep is on their back. Infants should also sleep on a firm mattress, with no pillows or coverings. If possible, infants should not sleep in the same bed as their parents as this can lead to an increased risk of SIDS.
In addition, it is important for parents to take steps to reduce the environmental risks of SIDS. This includes avoiding the overuse of soft bedding, or the use of crib bumpers, and keeping the temperature of the room at a comfortable level. Lastly, it is important for parents to consult their medical professionals to discuss any concerns or questions that they have.
It is important to remember that the loss of Nevada is not an isolated incident. SIDS is a very real and tragic phenomenon that can affect any family. It is estimated that 95 percent of SIDS deaths happen between the ages of one month and one year.
The loss can be particularly devastating, as sometimes there is no warning or history of risk factors. In some cases, SIDS can even be the result of an unknown medical condition. This is why it is so important for parents to take the necessary steps to reduce risk factors and consult their medical professionals.
No Simple Explanation
Losing a child is a tragedy no matter the circumstances. While Nevada’s untimely passing was attributed to SIDS, there is no simple explanation for why these tragedies occur or how to prevent them.
However, it is important to remember that these losses are not in vain. The tragedy of Nevada’s passing has helped to raise awareness about the dangers of SIDS and has motivated parents to take the necessary steps to reduce their risks and keep their babies safe.
