Elon Musk reveals that his relationship with actress Amber Heard has caused him the most pain, even more than his troubled bond with his father

Walter Isaacson, the author of Elon Musk’s biography, indicated that the most troubling element of the billionaire’s life was his relationship with actress Amber Heard. During a discussion on Kara Swisher’s podcast, Isaacson stated that “nothing hurt him more than that relationship.” He described their bond as characterized by “storm and turmoil,” which he noted contributed to its allure.

Isaacson pointed out that Musk found the relationship with Heard to be more distressing than his complex relationship with his father. He elaborated, “The storm and turmoil that both sides describe is not a matter of dispute; it was part of the attraction.” He further noted that a recurring theme in Musk’s life is his inclination towards drama and chaos, suggesting that he flourishes in stable conditions, as evidenced by his acquisition of Twitter and other ventures. “This is true of the relationship with Amber. Nothing hurt him more than that relationship,” Isaacson concluded.

Neither Musk nor Heard’s legal representatives offered immediate responses to these remarks.

Musk and Heard’s romantic relationship began after they met at the 2016 Met Gala. They publicly confirmed their relationship in April 2017, but it concluded a few months later. Despite their breakup, they maintained an intermittent connection until their final separation in 2018.

Isaacson spent two years shadowing Musk for the biography, which was published last week. The book explores the “psychological turmoil” present in many of Musk’s romantic relationships, including the account of his first meeting with Heard, who expressed interest in visiting SpaceX a year after they collaborated on the action film “Machete Kills,” in which Heard starred and Musk served as a consultant.

Isaacson documented the significant tensions present in their relationship, observing, “She and Musk would partake in extended disputes throughout the night, which left him unable to get out of bed until the afternoon.”

In the biography, Heard conveyed her profound affection for Musk, asserting, “I love him very much,” while also noting, “Elon is attracted to fire, and at times, it burns him.”

When Isaacson probed into Musk’s tumultuous romantic history, the billionaire openly stated, “I frequently behave foolishly, especially regarding love.”

Grimes, the Canadian artist and Musk’s former partner with whom he shares three children, informed Isaacson that Musk “associates love with cruelty or abuse,” a link she partially attributes to his relationship with his father, Errol Musk.

Musk has shared that his father subjected him to bullying and humiliation during his childhood. In a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone, he characterized his father as a “terrible human being” who had committed “nearly every evil act imaginable.”

Errol Musk has denied allegations of mistreating his son. Musk’s first wife, Justine Wilson, who was married to him from 2000 to 2008, has also reflected on their relationship.

“There is an adversarial element to his character,” she expressed to Isaacson. “I do not believe one can maintain a relationship with Elon without engaging in conflicts.”

“When one comes from a dysfunctional background or possesses a mind like his,” Wilson elaborated to Isaacson, “intensity frequently supplants intimacy.”