Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle and a close ally of US President Donald Trump, has officially overtaken Elon Musk to become the world’s richest person. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Ellison’s net worth surged to $393bn (£290bn) on Wednesday morning, surpassing Musk’s $385bn (£284bn).
His rise comes after Oracle’s shares soared more than 40% thanks to a strong outlook for cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) deals. This shift marks a dramatic turn in the global wealth rankings.
Who is Larry Ellison?
Larry Ellison is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist best known as the co-founder of Oracle Corporation, one of the world’s largest database software and cloud computing companies.
Born in 1944 in New York, Ellison built Oracle from a small start-up in 1977 into a global tech giant that now powers businesses across industries. He served as Oracle’s chief executive until 2014 and continues to shape its direction as chairman and chief technology officer.
Known for his bold leadership, Ellison has expanded into areas like artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, and media. Beyond business, he is recognized for his lavish lifestyle, strong political ties, and influence in technology and entertainment.
Larry Ellison Wealth Surge Driven by Oracle Growth
Larry Ellison has spent more than five decades building Oracle into one of the most powerful technology companies in the world. His latest fortune boost comes from Oracle’s booming performance in cloud computing and AI services.
The company projected in its quarterly earnings that cloud revenue will grow by 77% this year, reaching $18bn, with more expansion on the horizon. Demand from AI companies for Oracle’s data centres has been particularly strong, helping the company secure four multibillion-dollar contracts in the last quarter. More deals are expected soon, according to Oracle’s chief executive, Safra Catz.
This growth has lifted investor confidence, pushing Oracle stock to record highs. Since Ellison holds a massive stake in the company, his personal wealth has grown dramatically in line with Oracle’s success.
Meanwhile, Tesla’s share price has slipped this year, eroding Elon Musk’s wealth. The electric car maker has faced investor uncertainty after the Trump administration scaled back electric vehicle policies, along with consumer backlash linked to Musk’s political activities.
Ellison now sits comfortably at the top of the billionaire list, highlighting how tech companies tied to cloud computing and AI are driving fortunes in today’s economy.
Trump Alliance and Business Influence
Larry Ellison has not only built financial power but also forged strong political ties. Known for supporting Donald Trump, Ellison appeared earlier this year with OpenAI’s Sam Altman and SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son to launch “Stargate,” a project to strengthen AI infrastructure in the US.
Trump has openly encouraged Ellison’s potential role in shaping the future of social media. When asked about the possibility of Musk buying TikTok, Trump replied, “I’d like Larry to buy it, too.”
Oracle itself has emerged as a possible buyer of TikTok, which faces a looming US ban unless it cuts ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Ellison’s involvement in such high-stakes deals shows how his influence now extends far beyond software and cloud computing.
Expanding Into Media and Entertainment
Larry Ellison’s ambitions are not limited to technology. He recently helped fund an $8bn bid led by his son, David Ellison, to acquire Paramount, the company behind CBS and MTV. That deal, finalized with media firm Skydance, signals a new phase in the Ellison family’s expansion into Hollywood and global entertainment.
This move underlines Ellison’s desire to build influence in multiple industries, not just technology. From AI infrastructure to media ownership, he is placing Oracle and his family at the center of critical global industries.
At 81 years old, Larry Ellison has transformed from a Silicon Valley pioneer into a powerful figure straddling technology, politics, and entertainment. His climb to the top of the billionaire rankings reflects both his business acumen and his ability to position himself in industries shaping the future.
