According to Riley, Musk’s idea of a romantic invitation was asking her back to his hotel room – not for the usual reasons but to watch “rocket videos.” She initially assumed it was code for something else. But no, Musk, now the world’s richest man and the visionary behind SpaceX and Tesla, was being quite literal.
This anecdote about Elon Musk’s unique approach to a romantic invitation underscores the unconventional and sometimes puzzling nature of the billionaire entrepreneur’s personality. According to Riley, Musk’s idea of a romantic gesture was not to indulge in traditional expectations but to share his passion for rockets — quite literally. When Musk asked her to come back to his hotel room to watch “rocket videos,” Riley initially assumed there was a hidden meaning, as one might expect in a more typical romantic context. However, Musk’s offer was exactly as it sounded — he genuinely wanted to share videos about rockets with her.
The situation highlights Musk’s well-known obsession with space exploration and technology. As the founder of SpaceX, Musk has long been fascinated with rockets, and this particular moment encapsulates his intensity and focus on his ventures. For Musk, what could seem like a quirky or unexpected invitation was likely an opportunity to share a part of his world that he holds dear — his work. It’s a side of Musk that is often overshadowed by his business achievements or his highly publicized persona.
While Riley’s initial reaction might have been one of curiosity or confusion, the smile she recalls suggests a certain lightheartedness about the moment. It’s a reminder that even the world’s wealthiest and most influential figures have their idiosyncrasies. In this case, Musk’s passion for rockets wasn’t just a professional interest but a personal one as well — one he was eager to share in a way that, for him, was a meaningful invitation.
This story may be amusing or surprising to some, but it also speaks to the deeper qualities of Musk’s character — a man who is driven by a profound fascination with technology, space, and exploration. For those familiar with his career, it’s easy to see how Musk might prioritize sharing his passions over more conventional social gestures. And for those who were part of his life, moments like this might stand out as odd yet endearing examples of the ways he connects with others — or perhaps even as a window into the mind of a visionary who is constantly thinking about the future, even when it comes to the most personal moments.
“I remember one evening he said, ‘Would you like to come back to my hotel room so we can look at rocket videos?’ I said, ‘Hmm … OK, yeah,'” Riley recalled with a smile. “And we did get into his hotel room, and he did just show me rocket videos.”
This wasn’t just an isolated anecdote. Musk’s obsession with rockets and space exploration has been a defining part of his life. But that didn’t stop Riley from being swept up in his orbit – fast. In a resurfaced CBS interview from 2014, she admitted that their relationship moved at warp speed.
“It all happened very fast,” she said. “We were engaged after, I think, sorta two weeks of knowing each other.” She was just 22 at the time and described Musk as “very charming” and “definitely the most interesting and eccentric person I have ever met.”
The two tied the knot in 2010, only to divorce in 2012. But Musk, never one to give up easily – on space travel or relationships – convinced her to remarry him in 2013. Riley later explained it felt odd to be together without the formality of marriage. “It was like a habit,” she told The Independent in 2022.
That habit, however, didn’t last. By 2016, they were divorced for the second time. But Riley has always spoken warmly of Musk, calling him the “perfect ex-husband” and describing their bond as loving and supportive despite the romantic fallout.
She wasn’t just a bystander in Musk’s world of electric cars and space missions. Riley fully immersed herself in the chaos, even helping care for his five children from his first marriage. She explained she was by Musk’s side and it was a “family-wide effort.” She also added, “it wasn’t like I was stuck in a mansion in Bel Air like a trophy wife.”
Financially, their divorces came with a hefty price tag. Riley received $4.2 million in their first split and another $16 million after their second, totaling over $20 million. Yet, despite the settlements, they remained close. She even encouraged him to buy Twitter, sending private messages urging him to go through with the deal.
Now remarried to actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Riley still defends Musk against public criticism. In an August 2024 interview with The Times, she was asked why her personal experience of him seemed so different from the often polarizing public image.
“Well, you know more than anyone how what we read in the mainstream media is not necessarily an absolute truth,” she said, comparing it to “kayfabe,” a wrestling term for a staged performance where everyone buys into the illusion.
So, is Musk’s larger-than-life persona just a performance? Riley didn’t give a definitive answer. “I loved/love the guy, so I’m incredibly subjective in my opinion, cannot be unbiased and shouldn’t be expected to be either,” she admitted. “I’m sure, well … You know what being in love is, right?”
With Musk’s relationships being as unpredictable as his business ventures, it’s no surprise that his love life continues to fascinate. And in a world where billionaires tend to keep things buttoned up, his approach – whether it’s inviting someone to his hotel room to watch rocket videos or rekindling an old romance – is as unconventional as it gets.
