Elon Musk, the billionaire Tesla founder, had an alleged affair with Sergey Brin’s wife, Nicole Shanahan, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Musk allegedly had a brief fling with Shanahan at a multi-day art event in Miami, Florida, in December 2021. The Google co-founder and Shanahan were separated but still living together at the time of the affair.
Brin filed for divorce in January, citing “irreconcilable differences.” According to the WSJ’s sources, Nicole and Sergey were already having marital problems due to the stress of COVID-19.
It was detailed that the divorce filing came several weeks after Sergey found out that Shanahan had hooked up with Musk.
Since the alleged affair, Brin has preferred to detach himself from any involvement with Musk’s businesses, including Tesla. The Google co-founder has instructed his advisers to sell his personal investments in Elon’s companies after learning about the fling.
In 2008, Brin provided Musk with a $500,000 (est. R8.3 million) lifeline for Tesla to increase production amid the Great Recession.
Elon dropped to one knee at a party and publicly begged for Brin’s forgiveness, according to the WSJ. The Google co-founder acknowledged the apology, but they have not rebuilt their relationship since. The WSJ also reports that the pair are no longer on regular speaking terms.
Elon Musk responds to reports of ‘romantic’ affair with Sergey Brin’s wife
Musk has taken to Twitter to address the rumours and tweeted that he and Brin are still friends. He also denied reports that he had been involved in an affair with Brin’s wife, Nicole. He described the claims as a “character assassination.”
In a follow-up tweet, the billionaire said he had been so busy in recent months he has had no time for any romantic relationships, including an alleged affair.
Musk also calls out the WSJ for their reports and urged his followers to do the same. He claimed that the article was untrue and that it was based on ‘hearsay’ information.
In another follow-up tweet, Musk said he hasn’t had intimate relations in a while.
Brin and Shanahan are yet to respond to the claims. A lawyer for Brin declined to comment to The Wall Street Journal reporters while a spokeswoman for Shanahan has not responded to the Journal‘s requests for comment.