Who Is Larry Ellison? 10 Things About the Billionaire Who Became the World's Richest
The Oracle co-founder recently dethroned Elon Musk as the world’s wealthiest.
Published on Sep 11, 2025
Larry Ellison has briefly toppled Elon Musk on the world’s richest person spot, according to Bloomberg. The Oracle co-founder’s fortune soared $101 billion after the tech giant posted stellar quarterly results, bringing his net worth to $393 billion.
At 81, Larry Ellison isn’t just a tech mogul—he’s a sailor, island owner, and media investor, proving that life at the top can be as adventurous as it is lucrative. Here’s a closer look at the man who sat atop the billionaire hierarchy.
Who Is Larry Ellison? 10 Facts About the Oracle Billionaire
1. He’s a tech titan.
Larry Ellison co-founded Oracle in 1977, originally called Software Development Laboratories, after spotting the commercial potential in a relational database model, according to CNN. Today, he serves as Oracle’s chairman and chief technology officer and owns roughly 40% of the company, Forbes reports.
2. He never finished college.
Born in New York City in 1944, Larry briefly attended the University of Illinois and later the University of Chicago but dropped out both times. Britannica notes that he started his career programming for companies like Ampex before striking out on his own.
3. He’s a Hawaii island owner.
In 2012, Larry purchased nearly the entire island of Lanai for $300 million and now lives there full-time, CNN reports. The island, once a pineapple plantation, has become his private retreat.
4. He’s a sailing enthusiast.
Larry backed Oracle Team USA, which successfully defended the America’s Cup in 2013, and later co-founded SailGP, a global high-speed catamaran racing league.
5. He has Hollywood ties.
Larry’s children are media heavyweights. His daughter Megan financed films like Zero Dark Thirty, while his son David produced blockbuster hits including The Terminator and Mission: Impossible. Forbes reports that Larry himself owns nearly 50% of media giant Paramount Skydance.
6. He’s a tennis fan.
The billionaire revived the Indian Wells tennis tournament in California, often called the “fifth slam,” which is also known for luxurious touches like a Nobu restaurant overlooking the courts, CNN notes.
7. He’s a former Tesla board member.
The Oracle titan served on Tesla’s board from 2018 to 2022 and owned 45 million split-adjusted shares before stepping down, according to Forbes.
8. He’s a strategic investor.
The billionaire has a knack for spotting opportunities. Bloomberg reports that Oracle’s recent multibillion-dollar contracts and cloud infrastructure growth helped trigger his historic single-day wealth increase.
9. He’s philanthropic.
Larry signed the Giving Pledge in 2010 to donate at least 95% of his wealth, but recently he refocused his efforts on a technical institute he founded with Oxford University. CNN describes the Ellison Institute of Technology as tackling healthcare, hunger, and climate change.
10. He’s a self-made legend.
From a challenging childhood—Larry was adopted after his mother fell ill—to building one of the world’s most successful tech companies, he has consistently defied expectations. Britannica notes that he’s known for bold decisions and a larger-than-life persona, embodying the spirit of Silicon Valley royalty.
Kat is Preview's Lifestyle Editor, explorer, and occasional rhymer. When not globe-trotting, she's over her computer, writing her next big novel.