Elon Musk and Amber Heard: A Timeline of Their Brutal Affair

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is no stranger to public relationships, but one that stands out in recent memory is his brief and tumultuous romance with Amber Heard, the ex-wife of actor Johnny Depp. Their relationship was one of the most discussed in celebrity circles, not only due to its short-lived nature but also because of the drama and psychological toll it seemed to leave on Musk. In this article, we take a deep dive into the timeline of their affair, the highs and lows, and why Musk later described the relationship as “brutal.”

The First Meeting: 2013

Elon Musk and Amber Heard first crossed paths in 2013, though their interaction was far from a whirlwind romance. According to Musk’s latest biography, written by Walter Isaacson, Musk made several attempts to connect with Heard around the time of the 2013 film Machete Kills, in which both Musk and Heard appeared. Although they never shared the screen, Musk was keen to meet her. The Tesla CEO even emailed the film’s director, Robert Rodriguez, and others involved with the film, asking for an introduction. Despite these efforts, the two didn’t formally meet until years later.

The Met Gala: 2016

Their paths finally crossed in 2016 at the Met Gala, a highly publicized event where many celebrities rub shoulders. Heard, at that time, was still married to Johnny Depp, but things were already rocky between the couple. During the Gala, Heard was allegedly “stood up” by Depp, and this is when she reportedly first met Musk. Their connection quickly sparked rumors of a secret relationship, with many speculating about the nature of their bond. The timeline of their relationship became more clear during Depp and Heard’s highly publicized defamation trial in 2022, where Heard confirmed her connection with Musk during the 2016 Gala.

Officially Dating: 2017

In 2017, after months of speculation and public sightings, Amber Heard confirmed her relationship with Elon Musk. She posted a photo on social media, where the two looked happy together. Musk, sporting a red lipstick mark on his cheek, was pictured next to Heard, who had a bold red lip on, making the relationship undeniable to the public. This was the start of a whirlwind romance that seemed filled with excitement and affection.

A Busy Yet Fun Romance

During the early months of their relationship, the couple appeared inseparable. They were seen together at various events, and both made time for each other despite their busy schedules. Musk, known for his demanding role at Tesla and SpaceX, had little free time, while Heard was busy with her acting career. However, the couple managed to make it work. In fact, there was one incident Musk shared in his biography where he fondly recalled Amber spending two months designing a costume for the character Mercy from the popular video game Overwatch to cosplay with him. This personal gesture showed that despite the public’s perception, there was a unique bond between them.

However, as time went on, Musk began to describe their relationship in more negative terms. Although the initial months were filled with fun and adventure, Musk eventually called the relationship the “worst” of his life. His family was reportedly not fond of Heard either, with some calling her “toxic” and a “nightmare.” This was an ominous foreshadowing of the trouble the couple would soon face.

Breakup and Reconciliation

In August 2017, just a few months after confirming their relationship, Elon Musk and Amber Heard announced they were breaking up. The reason given for the split was their hectic schedules, which made it difficult to maintain a relationship. They released a joint statement, saying that they still loved and cared for each other but that their personal and professional lives were taking a toll on their romance.

Despite this, the breakup wasn’t entirely clean-cut. After the announcement, the two were still spotted together on several occasions, sharing intimate moments and even a kiss goodbye after a romantic dinner. However, despite the ongoing sparks, their relationship remained tumultuous, and by 2018, they decided to end things for good.

The Final Breakup: 2018

By the time 2018 rolled around, Elon Musk and Amber Heard’s relationship had become a public rollercoaster. After months of back-and-forth and on-again, off-again behavior, Musk finally decided it was time to end the relationship once and for all. According to sources close to the couple, Musk made the decision to break up, and Heard agreed. This time, their split appeared to be final.

Although their romance had ended, both Musk and Heard continued to maintain an amicable relationship, despite Musk’s later harsh remarks about the relationship. Musk stated that even though they had broken up, they were still friends and loved each other. His later comments in his biography about the relationship being “brutal” cast a dark shadow on the period, but both seemed to have moved on in their personal lives.

Aftermath and Musk’s Remarks

In his biography, Musk reflected on the emotional toll that his time with Amber Heard took on him, describing the breakup as the most painful period he had ever endured. The Tesla CEO did not shy away from calling the relationship “brutal,” a stark contrast to the images of joy and fun that were initially portrayed in the media. The remarks came as a surprise to many, considering Musk’s public statements after their breakup, where he had been more diplomatic about their connection.

Heard, for her part, has also faced her share of controversies and public scrutiny. Following the split, she continued to be at the center of legal battles, particularly her ongoing feud with Johnny Depp. However, Musk’s relationship with her remains one of the most scrutinized chapters of his personal life.

Conclusion

Elon Musk and Amber Heard’s relationship may have been brief, but it was filled with drama and intensity that captured the public’s attention. From their initial meeting in 2013 to their final breakup in 2018, the couple’s romance was marked by intense passion, misunderstandings, and ultimately, emotional turmoil. Musk’s later reflections on the relationship being “brutal” only add to the intrigue surrounding their affair, giving us a glimpse into the complex and often difficult nature of dating in the public eye.