Oracle Stock Surge Briefly Elevates Larry Ellison to World’s Richest Person
NEW YORK – A rally in Oracle stock on Wednesday, September 10, briefly propelled the company’s co-founder, Larry Ellison, to the top of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, surpassing Elon Musk as the world’s wealthiest individual. Ellison’s fortune peaked at an estimated $393 billion, compared to Musk’s $384 billion, fueled by his 39% ownership stake in Oracle.
though, the stock’s gains proved temporary, closing down on the day and resulting in Ellison falling back behind musk in the rankings by the following day, with a net worth of $383 billion.
The 81-year-old Ellison is a distinctive figure in the American technology landscape.He began his career in the 1970s, developing the “oracle” data storage system initially for an electronics company under contract with the CIA. This system formed the foundation of his technology empire.
Known for his aspiring nature, Ellison has repeatedly challenged industry leaders, once vowing to render Microsoft obsolete in the late 1990s and more recently aiming to overtake amazon in the cloud computing market. Beyond technology, Ellison’s interests are diverse and extravagant, including a 97% ownership of the Hawaiian island of Lanai, acquired in 2012, a $160 million yacht, and passions for tennis, guitar, and piloting. He led a team to victory in the America’s Cup sailing competition in 2013.
Ellison’s personal life has also been notable, with six marriages and his current relationship with Jolin Zhu, who is 47 years his junior. He maintains a close relationship with former President Donald Trump, providing support and personnel for Trump’s 2016 campaign and hosting him at the White house in February 2025.
According to the New York Times, Ellison has expressed a vision for a world extensively monitored by AI-powered cameras, intended to encourage positive behavior among citizens. He is currently heavily investing in artificial intelligence, recently securing contracts with OpenAI, a move that could further solidify Oracle’s position in the tech industry and potentially lead to another challenge to Musk’s wealth.