“When people start telling you that you’re crazy, you just might be on to the most important innovation in your life,” Larry Ellison said in 2016. Fast forward to 2025, he is at the most important position in the billionaires’ world—the richest man on Earth with a staggering net worth of $393 billion. The 81-year-old Oracle cofounder dethroned Elon Musk after Oracle’s stock soared on the back of massive AI-driven cloud contracts, propelling his wealth by an unprecedented $101 billion overnight. As of September 10, 2025, Ellison’s fortune stands at an astonishing $393 billion, placing him at the top of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Larry Ellison and the rise of Oracle in the AI cloud boom
Larry Ellison co-founded Oracle Corporation in 1977, then known as Software Development Laboratories. The company quickly rose to prominence with Oracle Version 2 (1979), the first commercially available SQL-based relational database management system (RDBMS). This innovation secured Oracle’s leadership in enterprise database technology through the 1980s and 1990s.Under Ellison’s leadership, Oracle became the world’s largest database management company by 1987 and went public in 1986. The company expanded aggressively, acquiring PeopleSoft in 2005, Sun Microsystems in 2010, and NetSuite in 2016, moves that cemented Oracle’s presence in enterprise applications, hardware, and cloud infrastructure. Ellison’s vision transformed Oracle from a startup into a $40 billion-plus software powerhouse.In the 2020s, Oracle pivoted strongly into artificial intelligence and cloud services, becoming a key provider for AI companies hungry for computing power. As CTO and executive chairman, Ellison drove the development of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), purpose-built for AI workloads with custom networking and chips. In 2025, Oracle unveiled its $500 billion Stargate initiative to build global AI infrastructure and industry-specific platforms, making it a central force in AI inference, a multi-trillion-dollar emerging market.The launch of Oracle’s AI Database, integrating enterprise data with models like ChatGPT, reinforced its dominance. By unifying hardware, software, and cloud services under one roof, Oracle reduced latency and costs, setting itself apart from rivals. These innovations have powered Oracle’s stock to double in 2025, sending Ellison’s fortune soaring.
Beating Elon Musk and other billionaires
Ellison’s net worth of $393 billion pushed him past Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whose wealth fell to $385 billion as Tesla’s shares slid 13% this year and its U.S. market share dropped to its lowest since 2017. Ellison also overtook Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who previously held the second-richest spot. Musk, who first claimed the title in 2021 before losing it to Jeff Bezos and Bernard Arnault, reclaimed the crown in 2024 and held it for nearly 300 days. Ellison’s ascent marks the first time he has reached the very top, reshaping the billionaire rivalry in Silicon Valley.
Ellison’s investments beyond Oracle
Beyond Oracle, Ellison has built a diverse portfolio. In August 2025, he acquired nearly 50% of Paramount Skydance, the $28 billion media giant formed through the merger of Paramount and his son David’s Skydance. He also served on Tesla’s board from 2018 to 2022 and was a significant shareholder during his tenure. These ventures highlight Ellison’s strategy of combining core technology investments with cultural influence, extending his impact beyond the enterprise software world.
Life and legacy of Larry Ellison
Born in 1944, Ellison dropped out of both the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago before beginning his career building databases for the CIA. He went on to lead Oracle for 37 years as CEO before stepping down in 2014 to become executive chairman and CTO. Known for his bold personality and risk-taking approach, Ellison has left an indelible mark on the software and cloud industry. In 2012, he bought nearly the entire Hawaiian island of Lanai for $300 million, later moving there permanently in 2020. His career reflects both persistence and a willingness to defy convention.
Family and personal interests
Ellison has four children, two of whom—Megan and David—are influential Hollywood producers. Megan Ellison financed critically acclaimed films like Zero Dark Thirty and American Hustle, while David produced mainstream blockbusters such as The Terminator and Mission: Impossible. Outside business, Ellison is a passionate sailor and maintains a relatively private lifestyle despite his immense fortune. His limited philanthropy score contrasts with his reputation as one of Silicon Valley’s most daring entrepreneurs.With Oracle’s AI-powered rise and his net worth surpassing $393 billion, Ellison has proven that vision and persistence can outlast rivals. Today, at 81, he is not only the richest man alive but also one of the most influential figures shaping the future of technology.
