Larry Ellison

$187.76 B

Ranked #6 in World

About Larry Ellison

Lawrence Joseph Ellison, Oracle's mastermind, shaped the database industry after being influenced by Edgar F. Codd's relational database design. Born in NYC, raised in Chicago, and a University of Chicago attendee, Ellison withdrew from college but revolutionized database management systems. Since 2010, he's Oracle's CTO, amongst the top five wealthiest, and a driving force in tech and philanthropy, with substantial political contributions. Ellison, a four-time divorcee with varied interests from yachting to philanthropy, continues to impact the tech landscape.

Born

August 17, 1944

Age

81 years

Source Of Wealth

Oracle

Industries

Technology

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Manalapan, Florida

Education

Drop Out, University of Chicago; Drop Out, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Lawrence Joseph Ellison was born on August 17, 1944, in New York City to an unwed Jewish mother and an Italian-American father. He was adopted by his aunt and uncle after contracting pneumonia at nine months and raised in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood. Ellison attended South Shore High School and later gained admission to the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign as a premed student. However, he withdrew without taking final exams after his sophomore year due to his adoptive mother's death. He then attended the University of Chicago for one term, studying physics and mathematics, before moving to Berkeley, California, where he began his career as a computer programmer.

Larry Ellison: Family

Ellison has been married and divorced four times. He has two children, David and Megan, from his third marriage. Despite his personal life, Ellison is known for his dedication to his work and his significant contributions to the technology industry.

Larry Ellison: Career Highlights

Ellison's career is marked by several notable achievements. In the early 1970s, while working at Ampex, he was influenced by Edgar F. Codd's research on relational database design. This led him to found Software Development Laboratories (SDL) in 1977 with two partners and an investment of $2,000. The company was renamed Relational Software Inc. in 1979, and the first version of the Oracle Database was released. In 1983, the company officially became Oracle Systems Corporation, named after its flagship product.

Larry Ellison: Companies

Ellison is primarily known for his association with Oracle Corporation, the software company he co-founded in 1977. Oracle has grown into one of the largest software companies in the world, specializing in database management systems, cloud computing, and enterprise software. Under Ellison's leadership, Oracle acquired several other companies, including Sun Microsystems in 2010, which brought the MySQL open-source database under Oracle's control.

Larry Ellison: Major Achievements

Ellison's major achievements include the development of the Oracle Database, which revolutionized the database management industry.

He led Oracle's growth and expansion, making it a global technology leader. Ellison also played a significant role in the development of the internet and cloud computing. His investments in various industries, including technology, real estate, and sports, have further solidified his status as a successful entrepreneur and business leader.

Larry Ellison: Awards & Achievements

Ellison has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the technology industry. In 1997, he received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement. He was inducted into the Bay Area Business Hall of Fame in 2013 and honored with the first Rebels With A Cause Award by the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine of USC in 2019.

Larry Ellison: Personal Life & Legacy

Ellison's personal life has been marked by his passion for sailing and his ownership of several exotic cars, yachts, and private jets. He competes in yachting through Oracle Team USA and won the 33rd America's Cup in 2010. Ellison also founded the SailGP international racing series in 2019. His philanthropic efforts include significant donations to various causes, such as healthcare, education, and military support. He has established the Lawrence J. Ellison Musculo-Skeletal Research Center at the University of California, Davis, and donated $200 million to the University of Southern California for cancer research.

Larry Ellison: Trivia

Ellison is known for his outspoken personality and his unconventional management style. He has made controversial statements and engaged in public feuds with competitors. Despite these controversies, Ellison remains a prominent figure in the technology industry, admired for his vision and business acumen.

Wealth History

Timeline

August 17, 1944

Lawrence Joseph Ellison is born in New York City to an unwed Jewish mother and an Italian-American father.

1945

Ellison is adopted by his aunt and uncle after contracting pneumonia at nine months.

1970s

Ellison begins his career as a computer programmer, influenced by Edgar F. Codd's research on relational database design while working at Ampex.

1977

Ellison founds Software Development Laboratories (SDL) with two partners and an investment of $2,000.

1979

The company is renamed Relational Software Inc. and releases the first version of the Oracle Database.

1983

The company officially becomes Oracle Systems Corporation after its flagship product.

1994–2010

Ellison engages in an intense rivalry with Informix CEO Phil White, leading to Informix's decline and acquisition by IBM in 2001.

1997–2002

Ellison serves as a director of Apple Computer.

2010

Oracle acquires Sun Microsystems, gaining control of the MySQL open-source database.

2010–Present

Ellison continues to lead Oracle as Chief Technology Officer and Executive Chairman, making significant investments in various industries and becoming the fifth-wealthiest person in the world.

2019

Ellison founds the SailGP international racing series.

Larry Ellison : FAQs

What is Larry Ellison's current net worth?

Larry Ellison's current net worth is $187.76 billion.

What is Larry Ellison's current global rank among billionaires?

Larry Ellison holds the 6th position globally among billionaires.

What is Larry Ellison's current ranking within the United States?

Larry Ellison holds the 6th position in United States.

What was the change in Larry Ellison's net worth compared to the previous year?

Larry Ellison's net worth decreased by 59.01 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 246.77 billion dollars.

What are Larry Ellison's main sources of wealth?

Larry Ellison's main source of income comes from Oracle.

In which industry does Larry Ellison primarily operate?

Larry Ellison is primarily involved in the Technology industry.

What is Larry Ellison educational background?

Larry Ellison is a dropout from the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois from Urbana-Champaign.

How old is Larry Ellison?

Larry Ellison is 81 years old.

How many children does Larry Ellison have?

Larry Ellison has 4 children.

What are the early life details of Oracle's co-founder Lawrence Joseph Ellison?

Lawrence Ellison was born on August 17, 1944, in New York City. He was adopted by his aunt and uncle after a bout of pneumonia at nine months and raised in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood. He attended South Shore High School and the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign but left college after his adoptive mother's death. Ellison also attended the University of Chicago for one term to study physics and mathematics before moving to Berkeley, California to start his career as a computer programmer.

How did Lawrence Ellison influence the database software industry in his early career?

Lawrence Ellison, influenced by Edgar F. Codd's research on relational database design, founded Software Development Laboratories (SDL) in 1977, which was later renamed to Relational Software Inc., and eventually became Oracle Systems Corporation. Under Ellison’s guidance, Oracle released the first version of the Oracle Database and went on to become a leading company in the industry.

What notable achievements did Lawrence Ellison reach with Oracle between 1994 and 2010?

During this period, Lawrence Ellison saw Oracle through an intense rivalry with Informix and its CEO Phil White. After the decline and acquisition of Informix by IBM in 2001, Ellison continued to broaden Oracle's influence by serving as a director of Apple Computer and acquiring Sun Microsystems in 2010, gaining control of important assets like the MySQL database.

What are the key highlights of Lawrence Ellison's life from 2010 to the present?

Lawrence Ellison has continued his role at Oracle as Chief Technology Officer and Executive Chairman and made significant investments across various sectors. He became one of the world’s wealthiest people. His acquisition of 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lānaʻi showcases his influence in real estate and his passion for sailing is evident through his involvement with Oracle Team USA and the SailGP racing series.

Can you summarize Larry Ellison's contributions to philanthropy and his political involvement?

Larry Ellison has donated generously to healthcare, education, and military support, including large gifts to the University of California, Davis, and the University of Southern California for cancer research. Politically, he has contributed to both major US parties and showed his support by hosting a fundraiser for former President Donald Trump at his estate. His philanthropic and political actions are interconnected with his business and personal beliefs.