Larry Ellison: The Billionaire Who Built Oracle from Scratch
- Full Name: Lawrence Joseph Ellison
- Age: 79 (Born August 17, 1944)
- Business: Co-founder, Executive Chairman, and CTO of Oracle Corporation
- Height: 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
- Spouse: Currently unmarried (previously married four times)
- Net Worth: Estimated at $140+ billion (as of 2025)
How Larry Ellison Became So Successful
Larry Ellison’s journey to success is a classic rags-to-riches story. Raised in Chicago by his aunt and uncle, Ellison dropped out of college twice—first from the University of Illinois and then from the University of Chicago. Despite never earning a degree, he had a natural talent for programming and problem-solving.
In the 1970s, while working at tech companies like Ampex and Amdahl, he became fascinated with relational databases after reading an IBM research paper. He saw an opportunity that others overlooked and, in 1977, co-founded Software Development Laboratories, later renamed Oracle Corporation. The company revolutionized how businesses managed and stored data, making Oracle one of the most powerful software companies in the world.
His First Job
Before becoming a tech giant, Ellison started out writing computer code for various clients, including Ampex, where he worked on a project for the CIA (code-named "Oracle"). This project inspired him to create a commercial version of relational database software, which became the foundation of Oracle Corporation.
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How Much Has He Made from His Career?
Ellison’s wealth has skyrocketed over the years, largely due to Oracle's success. He has consistently been one of the richest people in the world, with a net worth of over $140 billion as of 2025. He has made billions through Oracle stock, real estate investments, and stakes in companies like Tesla.
What Does Larry Ellison Do Now?
Despite stepping down as Oracle’s CEO in 2014, Ellison remains heavily involved in the company as its Executive Chairman and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). He continues to shape Oracle’s strategy, particularly in cloud computing and AI-driven enterprise software.
Outside of Oracle, Ellison is known for his extravagant lifestyle. He owns Lanai, a Hawaiian island, multiple luxury estates, a massive yacht collection, and even a private jet. He’s also a passionate investor in medical research and owns a stake in Tesla.
