Photo: Larry Ellison, Oracle co-founder
By Douglas Maha, with agency reports
Larry Ellison, the maverick co-founder of Oracle, has surged to the very top of the global rich list, overtaking rivals like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos to become the world’s wealthiest individual. His rise is not the product of sudden fortune but the culmination of decades of vision, persistence, and an uncanny ability to spot where technology is headed.
Born in 1944 to a modest family and raised in Chicago, Ellison dropped out of college twice before setting out on a path that would change his life, and the software industry, forever. In 1977, he co-founded a small company that would grow into Oracle, pioneering database software that became the backbone of modern business. While many of his contemporaries diversified or relinquished control, Ellison held on to an unusually large stake in his company. That decision has proven decisive in an age when tech valuations can multiply overnight.
Oracle’s transformation over the past decade has been the real engine of Ellison’s wealth. Once known primarily for enterprise databases, the company has pivoted aggressively into cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence.
As AI fever swept through global markets, Oracle’s position as a key player in cloud computing propelled its stock to record highs. In September 2025 alone, Oracle’s shares jumped more than 40 percent after reporting stronger-than-expected earnings and bullish forecasts, adding hundreds of billions of dollars to Ellison’s net worth almost overnight.
Beyond Oracle, Ellison has built an empire that reflects both his personal passions and sharp investment instincts. He owns most of the Hawaiian island of Lānaʻi, has significant real estate holdings across the U.S., and was an early backer of Tesla, further diversifying his portfolio. But it is Oracle that has been the bedrock of his fortune and the reason he now sits atop the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Ellison’s ascent underscores a few enduring truths about wealth in the technology era. Founders who retain large ownership stakes in their companies, steer them through technological shifts, and remain patient through market cycles can see their fortunes swell exponentially when momentum tilts their way. In Ellison’s case, a willingness to bet on the future of cloud and AI has paid off handsomely, transforming him from a once-scrappy entrepreneur into the richest man on earth.
How Larry Ellison Made His Fortune
- Co-founded Oracle in 1977 – Built the company into a global leader in database software.
- Held on to his shares – Retains about 40% ownership, a massive stake that magnifies gains.
- Pivot to Cloud & AI – Oracle reinvented itself as a key player in cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
- Stock Surge in 2025 – Shares jumped more than 40% in September after strong earnings and bullish forecasts, adding hundreds of billions to his net worth.
- Diverse Assets – Owns most of Hawaii’s Lānaʻi island, luxury real estate, and was an early Tesla investor.
- Result – Overtook Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos to become the richest man in the world.
