Tesla remained celibate throughout his life, believing that it allowed him to focus entirely on his scientific pursuits. He often stated that love and relationships would distract him from his work. He also never married nor had any known romantic relationships.

Despite his unconventional lifestyle, Tesla maintained friendships with notable figures such as Mark Twain, Robert Underwood Johnson, and Katharine Johnson. He enjoyed socializing with intellectuals, artists, and influential members of society.

Katharine Johnson, wife of Robert Underwood Johnson, editor of The Century Magazine, was believed to have been a close confidante of Tesla. Some sources speculate about a deeper relationship, but this is not definitively confirmed. They exchanged letters, and she admired his work.

Tesla was known for his eccentric habits and phobias. He had an aversion to pearls, round objects, and human hair. He was also obsessed with the number 3 and often performed rituals involving multiples of 3.

Despite his groundbreaking inventions, Tesla often faced financial difficulties. He relied on the support of wealthy benefactors and friends to fund his research and maintain his lifestyle. Many of his groundbreaking patents were assigned to Westinghouse, impacting Tesla's long-term financial gains.

In his later years, Tesla became increasingly isolated and reclusive. He lived in hotels, often accumulating large unpaid bills. He continued to work on his inventions, but his projects received less attention and funding.

Tesla developed a strong affection for pigeons, particularly a white pigeon that he claimed to love as a human. He would often feed them in parks and even brought injured pigeons to his hotel room to care for them.