
Larry Ellison is one of the most powerful and well-known people in the tech world. He was born on August 17, 1944, in New York City and grew up in Chicago. As a young man, he dropped out of college twice but never gave up on learning. He taught himself how to write computer programs and later helped build one of the biggest software companies in the world—Oracle Corporation.
Ellison co-founded Oracle in 1977 with just a small amount of money and a big idea. Over the years, he turned Oracle into a global leader in databases, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. Today, he is the Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of the company. His work has helped businesses and governments manage data and improve technology.
Early Life and Childhood
Larry was born on August 17, 1944, in the Bronx, New York City. His birth name is Lawrence Joseph Ellison. His mother was a young Jewish woman who wasn’t married, and she gave him up for adoption when he was just nine months old. He had pneumonia at the time, and she believed he would have a better chance at life with her relatives. So, Larry was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Lillian and Louis Ellison, and moved to Chicago.
Growing up in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood, Larry lived in a small apartment. His adoptive father worked for the government and had once made money in real estate, but lost it during the Great Depression. Larry’s mother was warm and loving, but his father was strict and often distant. This mix of care and control shaped Larry’s early personality—he became independent, curious, and skeptical of authority.
Education Journey
Larry started college at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. He was a pre-med student and did very well in science. In fact, he was named Science Student of the Year. But during his second year, tragedy struck—his adoptive mother passed away. Larry was devastated and left school without taking his final exams.
Larry then enrolled at the University of Chicago. He studied physics and math for one semester. But more importantly, he discovered computers. This was the turning point. He became fascinated with how computers worked and what they could do. After dropping out again, Larry moved to Berkeley, California. He started working as a programmer and technician.

Larry Ellison Wiki | BIO
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lawrence Joseph Ellison |
| Date of Birth | August 17, 1944 |
| Age | 81 years old |
| Place of Birth | New York City, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Dropped out of University of Illinois and University of Chicago |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Oracle Co-Founder, Chairman & CTO |
| Known For | Founding Oracle Corporation, AI & Cloud innovation, global investments |
| Current Residence | Lanai Island, Hawaii (owns 98% of the island) |
| Height | 6’3” (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 70 kg |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Gray |
| Marital Status | Married six times; current wife: Jolin Zhu2 |
| Children | David Ellison (film producer), Megan Ellison (film producer) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $393 billion (as of September 2025)1 |
| Company Founded | Oracle Corporation (1977) |
| Major Acquisitions | Sun Microsystems (2010), NetSuite (2016) |
| Major Projects | Project Stargate (AI healthcare), TikTok acquisition bid |
| Awards & Honors | Time 100 (2024), Golden Plate Award (1997), Bay Area Business Hall of Fame |
| Philanthropy | Signed The Giving Pledge (2010), Ellison Medical Foundation |
| Hobbies & Interests | Yachting, real estate, sailing, wellness innovation |
| Wikipedia | @Larry_Ellison |

Starting Something New
In 1977, Larry took a big step. He co-founded a company called Software Development Laboratories with two partners—Bob Miner and Ed Oates. They had just $2,000 to start, and Larry put in $1,200 of his own money. They worked out of a small office in Santa Clara, California.
Their goal was simple: build a powerful database system based on Codd’s ideas. They called their first product Oracle Version 2. It was the first commercial SQL-based relational database. And it worked. Companies started using it, and the business began to grow.
This was the beginning of Oracle. And it all started with a college dropout who believed in the power of data.
Oracle’s Rise to Power
After launching Oracle Version 2 in 1979, Larry and his team began to attract attention. The software was one of the first commercial relational database systems, and it offered something new—speed, flexibility, and the ability to handle large amounts of data. Businesses started adopting it, and Oracle began to grow.
In the 1980s, Oracle expanded rapidly. The company went public in 1986, raising $31.5 million. Ellison was aggressive in his strategy. He pushed the sales team hard, encouraged bold marketing, and wasn’t afraid to take risks. Oracle became known for its fast-paced culture and high expectations. By the end of the decade, it was one of the top software companies in the world.
But the 1990s brought challenges. Oracle faced financial trouble due to accounting issues and overestimated earnings. In the early 1990s, the company was nearly bankrupt. But Ellison didn’t give up. He cut costs, streamlined operations, and focused on product development. Oracle 7, released in 1992, was a major success.

Key Acquisitions: Sun Microsystems and NetSuite
In the 2000s, Ellison turned to acquisitions to expand Oracle’s reach. One of the biggest was Sun Microsystems in 2010. Sun was the creator of Java, a widely used programming language. By acquiring Sun, Oracle gained control of Java and other technologies, strengthening its position in software and hardware.
Another major acquisition was NetSuite in 2016. NetSuite was a cloud-based business software company, and it helped Oracle compete in the growing cloud market. These deals showed Ellison’s vision—he wasn’t just building a database company; he was building a full-service tech empire.
Today, Oracle owns dozens of companies and offers a wide range of products. From databases to cloud services to AI tools, Oracle is a global powerhouse. And it all started with a small team and a big idea.
AI and Cloud Revolution
In recent years, Oracle has shifted its focus to artificial intelligence and cloud computing. This move was led by Larry himself. He saw the future of technology in smart systems that could learn, adapt, and make decisions. Oracle began investing heavily in AI research and cloud infrastructure.
The company launched new products that use AI to improve healthcare, finance, and business operations. Oracle Cloud became a major competitor to Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. Ellison emphasized speed, security, and reliability, making Oracle Cloud a top choice for many organizations.

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Project Stargate: $500 Billion AI Healthcare Initiative
One of Oracle’s most ambitious projects is Project Stargate. Launched in partnership with the U.S. government, this $500 billion initiative aims to use AI to transform healthcare. The goal is to create smart systems that can diagnose diseases, manage patient records, and improve treatment outcomes.
Ellison has called Project Stargate the most important work of his life. He believes that AI can save lives and reduce healthcare costs. Oracle is building massive data centers and working with hospitals, researchers, and government agencies to make it happen. The company has teamed up with OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, to develop advanced language models and smart assistants.
Media Moves and TikTok Bid
In 2025, rumors began to swirl that Larry was planning to buy TikTok. The popular social media app, known for short videos and viral trends, had become a global sensation. But concerns about data privacy and foreign ownership led to calls for a U.S.-based buyer.
Ellison stepped in. Reports suggested that Oracle was preparing a bid to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations. The move was seen as bold and controversial. Critics worried about media consolidation, while supporters praised Ellison’s vision.
David Ellison’s Paramount Deal and Megan’s Annapurna Pictures
Ellison’s children are also making waves in the media. His son, David Ellison, is acquiring Paramount Pictures, one of the biggest movie studios in the world. David runs Skydance Media and has produced major films like “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Mission: Impossible.”
His daughter, Megan Ellison, founded Annapurna Pictures, known for artistic and award-winning films. She’s produced hits like “Her,” “Zero Dark Thirty,” and “American Hustle.” Both children are respected in Hollywood and have built strong careers.
Together, the Ellison family is creating a media dynasty. With Oracle’s tech power and the children’s film success, they’re shaping the future of entertainment. It’s a unique blend of business, creativity, and influence.
Marital History
Larry Ellison’s personal life has been just as eventful as his career. He’s been married five times and divorced four. His marriages have included artists, executives, and socialites. Each relationship brought its own story, but none lasted long-term.
Ellison’s first marriage was in the 1960s, and his most recent divorce was in the early 2000s. He’s known for being private about his relationships, but some details have surfaced over the years. His marriages often ended due to differences in lifestyle and priorities.
Despite the divorces, Ellison remains close to his children and values family. He’s also been in a long-term relationship with Nikita Kahn since 2010. Kahn is an actress, animal rights activist, and real estate entrepreneur. The couple has been seen together at events and fundraisers, and they share a quiet life away from the spotlight.

Family and Children
Ellison’s son, David Ellison, is a major player in Hollywood. He founded Skydance Media, a production company that has made blockbuster films like “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Mission: Impossible,” and “Terminator: Dark Fate.” David is known for blending action with strong storytelling.
Larry’s daughter, Megan Ellison, is also a film producer. She founded Annapurna Pictures, a company known for artistic and award-winning films. Megan’s work includes “Her,” “Zero Dark Thirty,” “American Hustle,” and “Phantom Thread.”
Net Worth and Financial Empire
As of September 2025, Ellison’s net worth is estimated at $393 billion, according to Bloomberg. This makes him the richest person in the world, ahead of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg. His wealth comes mainly from his stake in Oracle, which has seen a major rise due to its AI and cloud growth.
Ellison owns around 42% of Oracle’s shares. In 2025, the company’s stock rose by 47%, driven by Project Stargate and other AI initiatives. This surge added billions to Ellison’s fortune, pushing him to the top of the global wealth rankings. As of 2025, Larry serves as Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of Oracle.
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