Will Larry Ellison potentially surpass Elon Musk in wealth status? Learn more details
In a remarkable climb, Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle Corporation, has surpassed Mark Zuckerberg to become the world's second-richest person. This significant wealth surge, which has propelled Ellison's net worth to approximately $290 billion, is primarily attributed to Oracle's strategic pivot into artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing.
At 80 years old, Ellison continues to serve as the Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of Oracle, despite stepping down as CEO in 2024. His rare level of concentrated ownership, amounting to around 41% of Oracle Corporation, allows him to direct the company's strategic decisions and capitalise on emerging technologies swiftly.
Oracle's strategic pivots have been instrumental in this growth. A major push into AI technology has seen the company invest heavily in this sector, aligning with government initiatives like the Stargate project, a $500 billion AI infrastructure investment aimed at keeping the U.S. competitive. Oracle is a founding equity partner in this project alongside tech giants such as OpenAI, SoftBank, Microsoft, and Nvidia, reinforcing Ellison's position in the AI space.
Moreover, Oracle's cloud services expansion has driven the company's valuation up and attracted substantial investor interest. As a result, Oracle Corporation has become a global cloud computing powerhouse.
Ellison's wealth has spiked significantly in recent years, with a surge in Oracle's stock prices. In June, his wealth surged by $41 billion in one day, and he gained $28.4 billion within 24 hours on Tuesday. If the current rate is maintained, Ellison could potentially become the richest person on earth within the next 72 hours.
Besides Oracle, Ellison has diversified his investments into real estate and tech startups, including early investment in Tesla. This broader investment portfolio has amplified his wealth beyond Oracle stock alone.
However, it's not just Oracle's success that has contributed to Ellison's wealth. His cordial tie with fellow tech mogul Elon Musk has also played a role. While Musk's net worth has dropped by $59.4 billion this year, Ellison's wealth has spiked by $59 billion since July 2024. As of July 17, Ellison's net worth is estimated at $257 billion, leaving Musk with a lead of $84 billion.
Despite this, the race for the top spot among the world's richest continues to be intriguing, with both Ellison and Musk demonstrating remarkable resilience and innovation in their respective domains.
[1] Oracle's Strategic Pivot into AI and Cloud Computing: A Game Changer for Larry Ellison's Wealth (TechCrunch, 2025) [5] Larry Ellison: The Man Behind Oracle's AI and Cloud Computing Revolution (Forbes, 2025)
- As Larry Ellison continues to serve as Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of Oracle, his strategic decisions, such as the pivot into AI technology and cloud computing, have significantly contributed to his wealth, propelling him to become the world's second-richest person.
- Oracle's investments in AI technology, including partnerships in projects like the Stargate project, have positioned Ellison as a key player in the AI sector, alongside tech giants like OpenAI, SoftBank, Microsoft, and Nvidia.
- Oracle Corporation's global growth, driven by the expansion of its cloud services, has catapulted the company into a major player in the cloud computing market, attracting substantial investor interest and increasing its valuation.
- Ellison's wealth has been amplified not only by Oracle's success but also by his diversified investments in tech startups, such as his early investment in Tesla, and his cordial relationship with fellow tech mogul Elon Musk, which has resulted in spikes in his net worth when Musk's wealth decreases.