Larry Ellison has reclaimed the spotlight as the wealthiest person on Earth. On September 10, 2025, the Oracle co-founder surpassed Elon Musk in net worth after a remarkable surge in Oracle’s stock price. With an estimated fortune of $393 billion, Ellison now leads the global billionaire rankings, edging past Musk’s $385 billion. At 81 years old, Ellison’s financial rise demonstrates how long-term corporate success and carefully held investments can surpass even the fastest-growing tech empires.
Early Life and Background
Larry Ellison was born on August 17, 1944, in New York City. His childhood was far from privileged. Raised primarily by his aunt and uncle in a modest Chicago neighborhood, Ellison grew up with a rebellious spirit that shaped his business career. He briefly attended the University of Illinois and later the University of Chicago but never completed a degree. Instead, he taught himself computer programming, a skill that would pave the way for his success in the software industry.
Founding Oracle Corporation
In 1977, Ellison co-founded Oracle Corporation alongside Bob Miner and Ed Oates. Originally called Software Development Laboratories, the company created database management systems that revolutionized how corporations handled data. The company was later renamed Oracle after its flagship product.
Under Ellison’s leadership, Oracle grew into one of the largest software firms in the world, powering businesses, banks, and governments. He served as CEO from 1977 to 2014, guiding the company through decades of competition and innovation. Even after stepping down as CEO, Ellison remained deeply involved, taking on roles as executive chairman and chief technology officer.
The September 2025 Breakthrough
Ellison’s wealth skyrocketed in September 2025, thanks to Oracle’s strong earnings report and a five-year growth projection that exceeded Wall Street expectations. According to NBC News, Oracle’s stock price surged more than 40% in a single week, boosting Ellison’s net worth by $101 billion.
Ellison owns about 1.16 billion shares of Oracle, making him the largest individual shareholder. This stake means that even minor fluctuations in Oracle’s performance translate into massive shifts in his fortune. With this latest surge, Ellison’s net worth jumped to $393 billion, pushing him past Elon Musk.
Comparison with Elon Musk
For years, Elon Musk dominated the billionaire rankings, fueled by Tesla’s meteoric rise and SpaceX’s soaring valuations. However, Musk’s net worth has proven volatile, swinging by tens of billions due to stock market fluctuations.
As of September 2025, Musk’s fortune is estimated at $385 billion, compared to Ellison’s $393 billion. The difference highlights a unique dynamic: while Musk’s wealth is tied to high-risk ventures in cars, rockets, and AI, Ellison’s fortune is grounded in Oracle’s stable growth and corporate software dominance.
Personal Life and Family
Larry Ellison’s personal life has been as eventful as his career. He has been married four times:
- First marriage: Adda Quinn (1967–1974)
- Second marriage: Nancy Wheeler Jenkins (1977–1978)
- Third marriage: Barbara Boothe (1983–1986). They had two children together: David Ellison, a Hollywood producer, and Megan Ellison, a successful film financier and producer.
- Fourth marriage: Melanie Craft (2003–2010), a romance novelist.
After his divorce from Craft, Ellison was in a long-term relationship with Nikita Kahn, a model and actress. While some reports have speculated they may have married, this remains unconfirmed.
Today, his children David and Megan are both prominent figures in Hollywood, running their own production companies and financing major films.
Lifestyle and Wealth
Ellison is known not only for his corporate achievements but also for his extravagant lifestyle. Over the years, he has invested billions into real estate, yachts, and aviation. His properties include homes in Malibu, Lake Tahoe, and Hawaii, where he famously purchased nearly the entire island of Lanai for $300 million in 2012.
His net worth today—$393 billion—makes him richer than the GDP of many countries, and his fortune continues to grow with Oracle’s global expansion.
Contributions and Philanthropy
Beyond wealth and business, Ellison has made notable philanthropic contributions. He established the Ellison Medical Foundation, focusing on aging and age-related diseases. Through the Musk Foundation, Musk often gets credit for philanthropy, but Ellison’s quieter approach has included major donations to medical research, education, and wildlife conservation.
Why Ellison’s Rise Matters
Ellison’s ascension to the top of the billionaire rankings demonstrates the power of long-term corporate stewardship. While Musk’s wealth was built on rapid innovation and high volatility, Ellison’s fortune grew from decades of consistent growth, strong business practices, and market trust in Oracle. His wealth proves that software remains a cornerstone of the global economy.
At 81 years old, Ellison’s financial success shows no sign of slowing down. With Oracle’s expansion into AI-driven databases, cloud services, and enterprise solutions, the company is positioned to continue driving his net worth higher.