Talulah Riley is an English actress, writer, and model who has appeared in films such as Pride and Prejudice, Inception, and Westworld. She is also known for her tumultuous relationship with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, whom she married and divorced twice. In this blog post, we will explore the life and career of Talulah Riley, and how she became the wife of one of the most influential men in the world.
Early Life and Education
Talulah Jane Riley-Milburn was born on 26 September 1985 in Hertford, England. She was the only child of Una Riley, a founder of a security systems company and a public relations company, and Doug Milburn, a former head of the National Crime Squad and a screenwriter. She grew up in Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, and attended Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Berkhamsted Collegiate School, and Haberdashers’ Girls’ School. She was a daydreamer and a bookworm as a child, and also enjoyed riding horses and ponies. She studied for a degree in Natural Sciences at the Open University while acting in London.
Acting Career
Riley made her stage debut in The Philadelphia Story at the Old Vic in 2005. Her performance in a 2006 revival of Tennessee Williams’ Summer and Smoke was described as “delightful” by critic Rachel Read. She made her film debut in Pride and Prejudice (2005), playing Mary Bennet, one of the sisters of the protagonist Elizabeth Bennet. She then starred in the comedy films St Trinian’s (2007) and its sequel St Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold (2009), playing Annabelle Fritton, the head girl of a rebellious boarding school. She also appeared in The Boat That Rocked (2009), a film about a pirate radio station in the 1960s, and Inception (2010), a sci-fi thriller directed by Christopher Nolan, in which she played a disguise used by Tom Hardy’s character.
Riley’s television credits include episodes of Poirot, Marple, Doctor Who, and Nearly Famous. She also played Angela, a host in the HBO science fiction western series Westworld (2016–2018), and Vivienne Westwood, the iconic fashion designer, in the FX biographical miniseries Pistol (2022).
Writing Career
Riley is also a writer, having published two novels and directed a feature film. Her debut novel, Acts of Love, was published by Hodder & Stoughton in August 2016. It is a romantic comedy about a journalist who falls in love with a billionaire. Her second novel, The Quickening, was released in June 2022. It is a historical fantasy about a woman who travels back in time to the Victorian era and gets involved in a murder mystery.
Riley also wrote, directed, and starred in the film Scottish Mussel (2015), a comedy about a poacher who falls in love with an environmentalist. The film was based on an idea and story by her father, and featured cameo appearances by Martin Compston, James Cosmo, and Joe Thomas.
Personal Life and Relationships
Riley first met Elon Musk, the CEO and founder of SpaceX,Tesla, and Neuralink, in 2008 at a nightclub in London . They were introduced by a friend, and hit it off from there. They got married in 2010 at Dornoch Cathedral in Scotland, and had a lavish and beautiful reception at Skibo Castle. However, their marriage did not last longer as was expected , as they parted ways in 2012, citing many differences. They still remained friends, and later remarried again in 2013, after Musk proposed to Riley again with a beautiful expensive sapphire ring. They however divorced again in 2016, after Riley filed for divorce from Musk, following a six-month-long engagement. They were said to have a prenuptial agreement, and Musk paid Riley about $16 million in cash and other assets which was in their first divorce settlement.
They did not have any children together, but Riley was a stepmother to Musk’s five sons from his previous marriage to Justine Wilson. Riley said that she loves and admires Elon’s children, and that they have a good relationship going on. She has also stated that she and Musk are still friends, and that they have a lot of respect and admiration for each other.
Interestingly, somewhere in July 2023, Riley announced her engagement to the famous English actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster, whom she met on the set during the casting of the Pistol series.
Trivia
| Name | Riley |
|---|---|
| Magazine Cover | Esquire (March 2010) |
| Brits to Watch | BAFTA 2011 |
| Yacht | Talulah Belle |
| Favorite Authors | Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, J.R.R. Tolkien |
| Favorite Food | Pizza |
| Net Worth | $20 million (2023) |
| Height | 5’8″ (173 cm) |
| Weight | 121 lbs (55 kg) |
| Religion | Christian |
| Siblings | None |
| Favorite TV Show | Friends |
| Favorite Character | Rachel |
| Pet | Dog named Lola (Maltese) |
Conclusion
Talulah Riley is a talented and versatile actress, writer, and model, who has achieved success in various fields. She is also known for her marriage and divorce with Elon Musk, one of the most influential men in the world. She has overcome many challenges and hardships in her life, and has emerged as a strong and independent woman. She is currently engaged to Thomas Brodie-Sangster, and is looking forward to a happy future with him.
