Elon Musk's Second Ex-Wife Says He Proposed To Her Without A Ring And They 'Shook Hands On It' — But Later He Gave Her 3 Engagement Rings

When you think of billionaires proposing marriage, images of flashy diamonds, private jets, or romantic getaways might spring to mind. But Elon Musk's second ex-wife, actress Talulah Riley, reveals their engagement began with something far more casual—a handshake, no ring involved.

From a Chance Meeting to a Casual Proposal

In a 2022 BBC interview clip shared widely on TikTok, Riley opened up about meeting Elon Musk at just 22 years old, during a night out at a West End club in London. Musk, who had filed for divorce from his first wife weeks earlier, was in town on business. Riley was immediately captivated, recalling, "I remember thinking, wow, what an incredible man. Never met anyone like him."

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Eager to reconnect after their first meeting, Riley decided to reach out. "I was just thinking about him, so I emailed him," she said, explaining she'd soon be taking a vacation to Los Angeles and thought it would be "lovely to see him." Musk responded enthusiastically, offering to fly her out himself. However, Riley politely declined his offer, insisting she'd handle her own travel arrangements.

After she arrived in LA, the romance quickly intensified. Riley recounted Musk's unconventional proposal during their reunion. Without any grand gestures or jewelry at hand, Musk bluntly stated, "I don't want you to go home. I want to marry you." He then immediately apologized, adding, "I'm sorry I don't have a ring, but this is what I'd like to do." Riley described the moment casually, adding with amusement, "We shook hands, and I said, ‘Yes, I will do.'"

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For Riley, rushing into marriage felt almost normal. Her parents had gotten married after just one date, so when Musk proposed after just a couple of weeks, she thought, "This is just what you do. That's what love is." 

Riley says she instantly stepped into Musk's family life, sharing a home with him and his children. 

The Full Story: Three Rings and a Rocket Obsession

The quirky details of Musk and Riley's relationship are explored more deeply in Ashlee Vance's biography, "Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and the Quest for a Fantastic Future." According to the book, Musk first noticed Riley at the nightclub through an introduction from the club's promoter. 

Initially skeptical, Musk recalled his first impression in the biography, saying, "She did look great, but what was going through my mind was ‘Oh, I guess they are a couple of models. You know, you can't actually talk to most models.'" But he quickly changed his mind when Riley showed genuine interest in topics close to his heart: rockets and electric cars. Riley humorously recalled Musk's early attempts at impressing her: "I was skeptical, but he did actually show me rocket videos."

Shortly afterward, their romance took a decisive turn at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. Without a ring to seal the deal, Musk proposed casually in bed, suggesting they shake on it. Riley happily agreed, but Musk eventually made up for the initial informality by gifting her three engagement rings—a huge statement ring, a simpler everyday one, and another featuring a diamond surrounded by ten sapphires.

Reflecting on the relationship, Riley shared Musk's warning from those early days: "Being with me was choosing the hard path. I didn't quite understand at the time, but I do now. It's quite hard, quite the crazy ride." The biography captures how Musk, stressed by SpaceX's challenges, appeared exhausted and dangerously close to burnout. 

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Divorce, Remarriage, and Million-Dollar Settlements

Despite Musk's eventual professional success, transforming SpaceX from industry joke to respected space pioneer, the relationship crumbled. 

They first divorced in 2012, with Riley receiving a settlement of $4.2 million. Surprisingly, they reunited less than a year later, remarrying in 2013. However, Musk filed for divorce again in 2014, briefly withdrawing it before ultimately separating permanently in 2016.

Across their two divorces, Musk reportedly paid Riley settlements totaling more than $20 million—$4.2 million after the first split, and around $16 million following their second breakup. Despite the substantial financial arrangements, Riley has never expressed bitterness. Instead, she's consistently highlighted their lasting bond, rooted in that unconventional handshake deal all those years ago.

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