In a recent conversation with entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath on his show People by WTF, tech billionaire Elon Musk revealed a touching and lesser-known detail about his family. Musk shared that one of his twin sons carries the middle name “Sekhar”, a tribute to the legendary Indian astrophysicist and Nobel Prize winner Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.
This revelation has sparked global curiosity: Who was Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, and why did Elon Musk choose to honour him?
Let’s explore the story behind this connection.
Shivon Zilis and Her Indian Heritage
Musk explained that his partner Shivon Zilis, who plays a key role at Neuralink, has Indian roots.
Zilis was adopted as a baby and raised in Canada. Although she has never visited India, Musk stated that her biological father was likely an exchange student from India. Her exact early background remains unclear, but the cultural connection exists — one that Musk acknowledges proudly.
As a result, the couple chose to honour an Indian icon by giving one of their sons the middle name Sekhar, inspired by the Nobel laureate Subrahmanyan.
Who Was Subrahmanyan?
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, widely regarded as one of the greatest astrophysicists in history, was born on 19 October 1910 in Lahore (then part of British India). Genius ran in his family — his uncle was C.V. Raman, who won the Nobel Prize in 1930.
Early Life and Education
Chandrasekhar’s brilliance was evident from childhood.
He studied at Presidency College, Madras, where his deep interest in physics began shaping his extraordinary academic journey.
A Scientific Path That Changed Astrophysics
Chandrasekhar’s groundbreaking research redefined our understanding of stars. His most famous contribution, the Chandrasekhar Limit, revealed the maximum mass a white dwarf star can have before collapsing under its own gravity.
This discovery laid the foundation for the modern study of:
- Neutron stars
- Supernovas
- Black holes
In 1983, he received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his theoretical work on stellar evolution — a milestone that inspired generations of scientists across the world.
Chandrasekhar’s Career in the West
After beginning his academic research at the University of Cambridge, Chandrasekhar later joined the University of Chicago, where he spent most of his professional life.
He worked at the Yerkes Observatory and served as the editor of The Astrophysical Journal from 1952 to 1971, shaping global astronomical research for decades.
In 1936, he married Lalitha Doraiswamy, and the couple moved to the United States, where he eventually became a naturalised citizen in 1953.
Even after suffering a heart attack in 1975, Chandrasekhar continued to work passionately until his passing in 1995 at the age of 84. His wife Lalitha lived to be 102, passing away in 2013.
Why Elon Musk Honoured Chandrasekhar
Elon Musk’s admiration for visionaries and scientific pioneers is well-known. Chandrasekhar’s work — especially his contributions to astrophysics — directly influences many modern scientific fields, including space exploration, which Musk is deeply invested in through SpaceX.
By naming his son after Chandrasekhar, Musk pays tribute to:
- One of India’s brightest scientific minds
- A global icon whose discoveries continue to guide research
- A personal and cultural connection through Shivon Zilis’ Indian heritage
This choice reflects Musk’s respect for scientific excellence and the people who shaped humanity’s understanding of the universe. inspired by the Nobel laureate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s revelation highlights a beautiful blend of personal heritage, scientific admiration, and respect for historical brilliance.
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar was not only a Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist but also a visionary whose work forever transformed our understanding of the cosmos.
By giving his son the middle name Sekhar, Musk honours an Indian legend whose legacy continues to inspire scientists, innovators, and dreamers across the world.