Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it appears that fortunes can be made overnight. In a stunning shift at the very top of global wealth rankings, Larry Ellison, the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Oracle Corporation, has surpassed Elon Musk to become the world’s richest person.
This feat is directly linked to an extraordinary surge in Oracle’s stock this week, propelling Ellison to the top. Ellison is Oracle’s largest individual shareholder. As CTO, Ellison owns a significant stake in Oracle, which is a major source of his wealth. Ellison’s fortune is primarily composed of his Oracle stake, but also includes a diverse portfolio of investments and an extensive real estate collection.
Oracle’s shares soared nearly 40% on Tuesday, making it the biggest single-day gain since 1999, after a blockbuster quarterly earnings report and an ambitious growth forecast in its cloud and AI business. The company also announced that it had signed four multi billion-dollar contracts totalling $455 billion in bookings, far outperforming analyst projections.
Oracle’s CEO, Safra Catz, further revealed ambitious growth forecasts, hinting that infrastructure revenue would continue to soar in the near future.
Ellison’s 41% stake in Oracle catapulted his net worth to approximately $388 billion, edging past Musk’s estimated $384 billion. Bloomberg reported that Ellison gained around $101 billion in value by mid-morning on September 10, marking the largest one-day wealth gain ever tracked.
Business Insider also reports a climb of over $110 billion, while Axios and other outlets cite similar figures ranging between $70 billion and $112 billion in net worth increase.
Oracle’s strategic pivot toward AI-driven cloud infrastructure has paid off in a big way. The company is capitalising on rising market demand for AI data centres and inferencing services, fuelled by major clients such as OpenAI, Meta, Nvidia, and others. This shift has drawn investor attention and confidence, both in Oracle’s current performance and in its long-term prospects. As a result, Ellison’s wealth has ballooned, built on the foundation of Oracle’s rising valuation.
| Metric | Details |
| Date of Wealth Shift | September 10, 2025 |
| Stock Surge | ~40% gain—biggest since 1999 |
| Bookings Signed | $455 billion in cloud and AI contracts |
| Ellison’s Net Worth | ~$388 billion |
| Musk’s Net Worth | ~$384 billion |
| Reported Wealth Gain | $70B–$110B depending on source |
The Bloomberg Billionaires Index stands as the gold standard for tracking the fortunes of the world’s wealthiest individuals, it offerss a transparent, real-time snapshot of global wealth. It’s usually updated daily at the close of trading in New York, the index meticulously calculates the net worth of each billionaire, factoring in everything from stock holdings and dividends to real estate and other assets. For Oracle’s Larry Ellison, who currently serves as the company’s chief technology officer and co-founder, this means his position as the world’s richest person is closely tied to the performance of Oracle’s stock and the broader AI surge.
Ellison’s wealth is a testament to the power of innovation and strategic investment. As Oracle’s largest individual shareholder, Ellison owns a substantial portion of the software giant, and the company’s recent surge in cloud computing and artificial intelligence has sent its market value soaring. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index takes these gains into account, along with Ellison’s extensive real estate portfolio in Southern California and beyond, to provide a comprehensive estimate of his net worth. The index also considers other assets, such as his investments in medical research and technology startups, painting a full picture of Ellison’s financial empire.
But the Bloomberg Billionaires Index isn’t just about numbers, it also highlights the philanthropic impact of the world’s richest people. Ellison’s commitment to the Giving Pledge, where he has vowed to donate at least 95% of his fortune to charitable causes, is a key part of his legacy. His support for cancer research, particularly through the Ellison Institute at the University of Southern California, underscores how his wealth is being used to drive innovation and improve lives.
For investors, researchers, and anyone excited about the dynamics of global wealth, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index offers invaluable insights. By tracking the rise of figures like Ellison, the index reveals how technological breakthroughs, market trends, and personal commitments shape the fortunes of the world’s richest. As Oracle continues to lead in database software and AI, and as Ellison expands his influence in philanthropy and real estate, the index will remain the definitive resource for understanding the ever-evolving landscape of global wealth.
Larry Ellison was born on August 17, 1944 (81 years old). After dropping out of the University of Chicago, Ellison moved to California, which marked a pivotal moment in his career. He began his early career as a computer programmer at Ampex, where he gained hands-on experience with coding and computer design. In 1977, he co-founded Oracle, and Ellison founded the company with his partners Bob Miner and Ed Oates.
The original name of the company was Software Development Laboratories, it’s focus was on relational database technology. Bob Miner, as a co-founder, played a key role in developing Oracle’s early database products, while Ed Oates contributed significantly to the company’s early technology. As the company grew and became a major force in the software industry, it was later renamed Oracle Systems Corporation.
Unlike some other prominent technology entrepreneurs, such as Steve Ballmer and Mark Zuckerberg, who attended Harvard University, Ellison did not follow a traditional academic path. As the CEO of Oracle, Ellison oversaw major acquisitions, including the purchase of Sun Microsystems, which expanded Oracle’s reach in hardware and open-source software. Ellison held the CEO role at Oracle for decades, shaping its strategy and growth before transitioning to CTO and executive chairman, where he continues to steer its aggressive expansion into AI and infrastructure.
More recently, Ellison has also taken positions outside of Oracle, for instance, increasing his holdings in Oxford Nanopore Technologies, signaling his interest in biotech and applied science. Ellison’s leap shows how central AI has become in defining market leadership among titans of industry.
As the world’s richest man, Larry Ellison’s influence extends far beyond the boardrooms of Oracle. His philanthropic vision is as ambitious as his business pursuits, and his focus is solely on transforming medical research, education, and the well-being of communities worldwide.
One of the most spoken of contributions made by Ellison is the establishment of the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine at the University of Southern California. In 2016, Ellison donated $200 million to launch this cutting-edge cancer research center in Southern California. Ellison also gave millions of dollars to institutions such as the University of Southern California and other causes, further demonstrating his commitment to philanthropy. The Ellison Institute brings together scientists, clinicians, and engineers to pioneer new approaches in cancer treatment and prevention, making it a beacon of hope for patients and a hub for groundbreaking medical research.
Ellison’s commitment to giving is further underscored by his participation in the Giving Pledge, a campaign led by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. By signing the pledge in 2010, Ellison further promised to donate at least 95% of his fortune to charitable causes, ensuring that his legacy will benefit future generations. His net worth, as tracked by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, positions him to make a transformative impact on global challenges. Ellison has also supported efforts to address world hunger by funding technological innovation and sustainable agriculture solutions aimed at increasing food production and combating food scarcity worldwide.
Through the Ellison Foundation, which he founded in 1997, Ellison has supported a wide range of initiatives in education, healthcare, and the arts. The foundation’s work is especially focused on helping children and families in need, reflecting Ellison’s belief in the power of opportunity and innovation to change lives. Ellison has also contributed to climate change initiatives, including funding clean energy research and supporting projects that address environmental issues. His generosity has earned him accolades such as the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement and recognition as one of the world’s most generous philanthropists.
Ellison’s philanthropic efforts are closely linked to his expertise in technology. As Oracle’s co-founder and chief technology officer, he has driven advances in database software that have revolutionized how medical researchers analyze data and develop new therapies. The synergy between Oracle’s technological leadership and Ellison’s support for medical research has accelerated progress in fields like cancer research, where data-driven insights are critical.
Beyond philanthropy, Ellison’s interests in real estate and sports have also made a mark. He owns a major stake in the Indian Wells tennis tournament and has been a driving force behind the Oracle Team USA sailing team, which has brought innovation and excitement to the America’s Cup, including multiple victories and a significant impact on the sport of yacht racing. Ellison purchased nearly the entire Hawaiian island of Lānaʻi, the sixth-largest island in Hawaii, developing luxury resorts and private golf courses there as part of his extensive real estate portfolio. His ownership of private golf courses and exclusive properties further highlights his status and affinity for high-end leisure activities. These ventures, like his charitable work, reflect Ellison’s passion for excellence and his willingness to invest in projects that inspire and unite people.
Larry Ellison’s vision and generosity continue to shape the world in every arena, business, philanthropy, and beyond, As Oracle’s largest individual shareholder and a leader in both technology and giving, Ellison’s impact is set to grow, ensuring that his fortune fuels progress and hope for years to come.