Oracle‘s Larry Ellison Surpasses Elon Musk as World’s Richest Person
New York, NY – In a dramatic shift at the apex of global wealth, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has overtaken Elon Musk as the world’s richest individual, fueled by the surging demand for cloud-based computing services powering the artificial intelligence boom. As of March 5,2025,Ellison’s net worth stands at approximately $397 billion,exceeding Musk’s estimated $384 billion in assets.
This change in ranking underscores the contrasting fortunes of the tech titans. While Musk’s electric vehicle manufacturer, Tesla, faces mounting challenges in key markets, Oracle is capitalizing on the escalating need for robust computing infrastructure to support increasingly refined AI development. The shift highlights a broader market realignment where established enterprise technology is currently outperforming the high-growth, yet volatile, consumer-facing sectors.
The rise of Oracle is directly linked to the explosion of interest in artificial intelligence. Companies are increasingly reliant on Oracle’s cloud services to handle the massive computational demands of AI initiatives, resulting in significant growth in the company’s market value. Ellison has secured lucrative contracts with businesses racing to develop advanced AI capabilities, further bolstering his wealth.
Simultaneously occurring, Tesla is experiencing meaningful headwinds. Sales have plummeted in Europe, dropping 40% as competition from Chinese manufacturers, notably BYD, intensifies, with BYD’s sales tripling over the same period.Further complicating matters, the administration of Donald Trump has curtailed support for electric vehicle manufacturing, impacting Tesla’s growth trajectory. Trump has halted expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, a key component of EV adoption.
Despite the substantial wealth held by both individuals, a significant portion of their fortunes are tied to company stock. selling large stakes would likely depress share prices, limiting their immediate liquidity. However, the current reversal in fortunes signals a pivotal moment, demonstrating the power of established technology infrastructure in the age of AI and the challenges facing even the most innovative consumer brands.