Larry Ellison, the cofounder of Oracle Corporation, has officially become the world’s richest man, surpassing Elon Musk after Oracle’s historic surge in stock value. With a net worth now estimated at $393 billion (Bloomberg, 2025), Ellison’s journey is a remarkable story of ambition, innovation, and resilience.

Early Life and Background

Larry Ellison was born Lawrence Joseph Ellison on August 17, 1944, in New York City to a single mother. Suffering from pneumonia as a child, he was adopted and raised in a modest Jewish household on Chicago’s South Side.

Ellison briefly attended the University of Illinois and later the University of Chicago but never graduated. Instead, he pursued his passion for programming and computer systems, moving to California in the late 1960s—a decision that would shape the course of his life.

Founding of Oracle

In 1977, Ellison, along with Bob Miner and Ed Oates, co-founded Software Development Laboratories (SDL), which later became Oracle Corporation. The company was named after a project Ellison had worked on for the CIA called “Oracle”.

Oracle pioneered the commercial use of relational database systems, and by the early 1980s, it had become one of the world’s leading database software companies. Ellison’s aggressive vision and competitive drive positioned Oracle as a global technology giant.

Growth and Expansion

Ellison built Oracle into a powerhouse through both innovation and bold acquisitions:

• PeopleSoft (2005) – strengthened Oracle’s enterprise software offerings.

• Siebel Systems (2006) – expanded its customer relationship management (CRM) reach.

• BEA Systems (2008) – added middleware technology.

• Sun Microsystems (2010) – gave Oracle control over Java and significant hardware assets.

Today, Oracle is one of the biggest players in cloud computing, database management, and AI-driven infrastructure, competing with tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.

Oracle and the AI Boom

In recent years, Ellison has positioned Oracle at the centre of the AI revolution. The company provides large-scale data centres and computing power to support artificial intelligence applications.

• In July 2025, Oracle announced a landmark deal to provide OpenAI (the company behind ChatGPT) with 4.5 gigawatts of electricity to power its AI software.

• Oracle reported a $455 billion backlog in AI services, one of the largest in the industry.

• Its stock has soared more than 103% in 2025 alone, driving Ellison’s wealth to record levels.

According to Bloomberg, Ellison’s recent $101 billion wealth surge is the largest single-day increase ever recorded on the Billionaires Index.

Wealth and Recognition

As of September 2025:

• Net worth: $393 billion (Bloomberg Billionaires Index)

• Main source of wealth: ~40% stake in Oracle

• Global ranking: No. 1, surpassing Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Bernard Arnault

Ellison has consistently ranked among the richest people in the world for decades, but his latest rise to the very top reflects Oracle’s success in capitalising on the AI-driven tech boom.

Personal Life and Interests

Ellison, now 81 years old, is known for his bold lifestyle as much as his business success:

• Residences: Owns estates in California and 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lānaʻi, which he purchased in 2012.

• Yachting: A passionate sailor, he funded Oracle Team USA, which won the America’s Cup in 2010 and 2013.

• Aviation & Cars: Collects luxury aircraft, including military jets, and owns one of the most expensive car collections in the world.

• Sports: Revived the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament in California, often called the “fifth slam”.

Family

Ellison has been married six times. He has two children:

• David Ellison – founder of Skydance Media, a successful film and television company.

• Megan Ellison – founder of Annapurna Pictures, a highly regarded Hollywood production studio.

Both have made their mark in the entertainment industry.

Philanthropy and Influence

Despite his reputation for being fiercely competitive, Ellison has signed The Giving Pledge, committing to donate much of his wealth to charitable causes. His contributions include:

• Major donations to medical research and cancer institutes, particularly at the University of Southern California.

• Sustainability and wellness initiatives through his company Sensei, based in Lānaʻi.

Ellison has also been politically active, supporting candidates and initiatives across party lines in the U.S.

Legacy

Larry Ellison’s rise from a college dropout to the world’s richest man is a story of relentless ambition. He transformed Oracle into a cornerstone of the modern digital economy and is now helping shape the future of artificial intelligence.

Yet, his influence extends beyond business—into philanthropy, sports, technology, and culture. At 81, Ellison remains a powerful figure not only in Silicon Valley but also on the global stage.

As Oracle pushes toward the trillion-dollar valuation mark, Ellison’s wealth and legacy continue to grow, cementing his place as one of the most iconic business leaders of the 21st century.