In a startling disclosure from his biographer, Elon Musk’s distressing relationship with actress Amber Heard has been characterized as the most agonizing experience of his life—surpassing even his troubled relationship with his father.

Walter Isaacson, Musk’s biographer, shared personal insights into the billionaire’s tumultuous romantic life during a recent episode of Kara Swisher’s On With Kara Swisher podcast, illuminating the emotional struggles that Musk faced during his intermittent romance with Heard.

Isaacson, who dedicated two years to shadowing Musk for his biography, portrayed the relationship between Musk and Heard as laden with “storm and turmoil”—an attraction acknowledged by both parties. The chaos and drama inherent in their relationship, Isaacson disclosed, were not merely a consequence of their personalities but were, in fact, integral to what attracted them to one another. “Nothing hurt him more than that relationship,” Isaacson articulated, emphasizing the profound impact the rollercoaster romance had on the billionaire.

This surprising revelation adds a new layer to Musk’s life, one that is frequently eclipsed by his significant accomplishments in technology and space exploration. For Musk, a figure renowned for his unabashed confidence and resilience in business, it appears that love has been the one domain where he remains consistently vulnerable, experiencing both heartbreak and emotional turmoil.

Musk and Heard’s relationship commenced at the 2016 Met Gala, after the two reportedly connected over their shared experiences while collaborating on the action film Machete Kills a year earlier, where Musk acted as a consultant. Their bond evolved into a public romance in 2017, only to unravel a few months later. Despite the separation, the two maintained their relationship, ultimately ending it for good in 2018.

The widely publicized relationship between Musk and Heard quickly turned into a source of tabloid gossip, with the couple often making headlines due to their intense on-again, off-again relationship. However, behind closed doors, their connection was characterized as emotionally turbulent and frequently toxic. Isaacson’s biography outlines the explosive arguments that defined their romance, with the couple reportedly staying up all night engaged in disputes, leaving Musk both physically and emotionally exhausted the following day. Musk’s own reflections, shared in the biography, convey a profound sense of regret: “I am often a fool, but especially for love.”

Heard, who has frequently conveyed her affection for Musk, once stated, “Elon loves fire, and sometimes it burns him,” a sentiment that Isaacson recorded in the biography. For Musk, the intensity of his emotions for Heard appeared to clash with the destructive nature of their conflicts, resulting in emotional distress long after their separation.

What is particularly notable in Isaacson’s biography is the significant psychological effect Musk’s romantic relationships have had on him. Beyond his connection with Heard, Musk’s tumultuous romantic past has been depicted as riddled with profound psychological distress. The biography emphasizes the disparity between Musk’s public image as a successful and ambitious entrepreneur and the emotional fragility he often experiences in matters of love.

Musk has previously discussed how his tumultuous relationship with his father, Errol Musk, has influenced his approach to love. In interviews, Musk has acknowledged that his father was emotionally abusive towards him during his formative years, labeling him a “terrible human being” and recounting the painful experiences of being bullied and belittled by the man who was meant to guide him. Musk believes that these formative experiences played a vital role in shaping his perspectives on relationships and love.

While Musk’s entrepreneurial endeavors persist in transforming entire sectors, his personal life adds an extra layer of intricacy to his public image. The emotional impact of his relationships, particularly with Heard, has underscored the contradictions inherent in Musk himself: a man whose ambition for success is rivaled only by his difficulties in achieving emotional satisfaction.

Musk’s biographer, Walter Isaacson, has granted the public a rare insight into the billionaire’s private existence, shedding light on the emotional intricacies of one of the most prominent figures of our era. Musk’s contemplation of his relationship with Heard and the distress it brought him indicates that, in spite of his significant accomplishments, there exists a part of him that yearns for tranquility and resolution in his personal affairs.

As Musk forges ahead with his innovative projects, his emotional challenges are likely to continue shaping his path. For the time being, the narrative of his relationship with Amber Heard represents one of the most touching and intricate segments of the billionaire’s story—illustrating how even the most accomplished individuals are not exempt from heartbreak and internal conflict.

Ultimately, the insights revealed in Isaacson’s biography offer a chance to perceive Elon Musk through a more human perspective, reminding us that beneath the headlines, even the most brilliant intellects frequently contend with their own personal struggles.