In the fast-moving world of billionaires, fortunes shift with stock market swings. This week, Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, briefly surpassed Elon Musk to become the world’s richest person, with an estimated net worth touching $393 billion. While Musk has long dominated headlines as the poster boy of innovation, Ellison has quietly built his empire over decades — and now finds himself at the very top of the wealth rankings.
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Unlike Musk, Larry Ellison is not a household name for the general public, but in the corridors of Silicon Valley and global business, his influence runs deep. From building one of the world’s largest software companies to owning an entire Hawaiian island, Ellison’s journey is as fascinating as it is controversial.
The Rise of Larry Ellison
Larry Ellison co-founded Oracle in 1977, starting with a contract to develop a database system for the CIA. That modest beginning set the stage for what would become one of the world’s leading enterprise software firms. By the 1990s, Oracle had become a giant, providing database solutions to Fortune 500 companies worldwide.
Over the decades, Ellison turned Oracle into a multi-billion-dollar company, expanding into cloud computing, enterprise applications, and most recently, artificial intelligence. Today, Oracle is one of the few tech companies positioned strongly against rivals like Microsoft and Amazon in the AI-powered cloud space.
Ellison himself led the company as CEO for 37 years, before stepping down in 2014 to become Chief Technology Officer and board chairman. He continues to own more than 40% of Oracle, which makes up the bulk of his immense fortune.
Larry Ellison: A Fortune Fueled by Oracle’s Stock Surge
Ellison’s sudden leap in wealth is tied to Oracle’s recent stock market performance. With investors bullish on Oracle’s AI partnerships and cloud services, the stock surged, briefly lifting Ellison above Elon Musk in global wealth rankings.
At one point, his net worth reached $393 billion, overtaking Musk’s $384 billion, according to Forbes. However, as Oracle’s stock price fluctuated, Ellison’s fortune slipped slightly — highlighting just how volatile the billionaire rankings can be.
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Still, the episode marks a symbolic moment: the software veteran and longtime Silicon Valley power broker outpacing the Tesla chief who once considered him a mentor.
AI: Larry Ellison’s Biggest Bet
Larry Ellison has been vocal about the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, calling it “bigger than electricity and the Industrial Revolution combined.” Oracle has already struck major deals in the AI space, including partnerships with OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT.
By integrating AI into its cloud services, Oracle has managed to stay competitive in a market dominated by Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud. For Ellison, AI represents both a technological revolution and a personal opportunity to secure Oracle’s place in the future.
Lavish Lifestyle and Global Influence
While Ellison may not seek the constant spotlight like Musk, his lavish lifestyle is legendary. At 81, the billionaire owns mega-yachts, private jets, multiple estates, and perhaps most famously, 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai.
He bought Lanai in 2012 and transformed it into an exclusive haven, complete with a luxury Four Seasons resort and a hydroponic farm. While the billionaire touts sustainable living projects on the island, local residents have voiced concerns over rising costs and land scarcity.
Ellison is also known for his connections with world leaders and celebrities. His properties often host dignitaries, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and even Musk himself.
Political Ties: Trump and Beyond
Ellison’s influence is not limited to technology. He has a decades-long relationship with the Republican Party and is considered close to former U.S. President Donald Trump.
He frequently visited Trump at the White House and Mar-a-Lago, and even played a role in key discussions around the future of TikTok. With U.S. lawmakers pressing for a TikTok ban unless sold to an American company, Oracle emerged as a potential buyer — positioning Ellison as a key player in one of the most watched tech battles of the decade.
Ellison has also been a generous donor to causes aligned with Israel, including a record $16.6 million donation in 2017 to the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. His support of both Trump and Netanyahu reflects the blend of business, politics, and ideology that defines much of his public life.
Family Connections: A New Media Empire
Larry Ellison is not just a titan of tech — his family is now reshaping the media landscape. His son, David Ellison, recently took over Paramount Skydance, a new entertainment conglomerate that owns CBS, MTV, Paramount Pictures, and other iconic media properties.
This shift places the Ellison family at the heart of American media, with influence extending far beyond software. While David has promised that the company won’t cater to political parties, reports suggest he may bring in polarizing figures like Bari Weiss to strengthen CBS News.
With his son commanding a major role in Hollywood and his own investments in Tesla and other ventures, Ellison’s empire now spans technology, media, politics, and real estate.
Mentor to Musk, Rival in Wealth
Despite overtaking Musk in wealth, Ellison remains closely connected to the Tesla CEO. He once sat on Tesla’s board of directors and continues to hold a stake in the electric carmaker. Musk himself has called Ellison one of the smartest people he has ever met.
The two share a mentor-protégé dynamic, with Musk often visiting Lanai as a guest of Ellison. Yet, their fortunes are now intertwined in a rivalry for the top spot in the world’s wealth rankings — a competition watched closely by global markets.
The Bigger Picture
Larry Ellison’s story is a reminder that the tech billionaires shaping our world are not just innovators but also power brokers, with influence across politics, media, and global markets.
At 81, Ellison continues to wield immense clout — whether through Oracle’s AI ambitions, his political connections, or his control over vast personal assets. His rise above Elon Musk may be temporary, but it cements his status as one of the most enduring and influential figures in modern capitalism.
Key Facts About Larry Ellison
- Age: 81
- Net Worth (Peak 2025): $393 billion
- Company: Co-founder of Oracle (owns over 40%)
- Notable Assets: 98% of Lanai island, luxury yachts, estates
- Political Ties: Close to Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu
- Family: Son David Ellison leads Paramount Skydance
- Famous Quote on AI: “AI is bigger than the Industrial Revolution, electricity, and everything that’s come before.”
Larry Ellison’s latest milestone highlights not just personal wealth, but also the shifting balance of power in global technology and business. From a software contract for the CIA to building one of the most influential tech giants in history, Ellison’s journey is remarkable.
Whether his stay at the top of the billionaire list is fleeting or long-lasting, one thing is clear: Larry Ellison is more than just the world’s richest man — he is one of its most powerful.
Disclaimer : This article is based on publicly available information and independent reporting. It is intended for general news and informational purposes only.
