Tech billionaire Larry Ellison has claimed the title of the world’s richest person, surpassing Elon Musk, as Oracle’s stock soared due to high demand from artificial intelligence companies.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Ellison’s net worth reached $393 billion on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, compared to Musk’s $385 billion.
This wealth surge follows Oracle’s strong quarterly results, fueled by its booming cloud business, which supports AI giants like OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.
Shift to Cloud and AI Infrastructure
Founded in 1977 by Ellison, Bob Miner, and Ed Oates, Oracle initially gained prominence with its database software, named after a CIA project.
By 1987, it was the world’s leading database management company. Over time, Oracle expanded through acquisitions like PeopleSoft, Sun Microsystems, and NetSuite.
In recent years, Oracle pivoted to cloud computing, operating large-scale data centers that provide computing power, storage, and networking to businesses.
This shift has proven lucrative in the AI era, as firms like OpenAI rely on Oracle’s infrastructure to train and run complex AI models.
Ambitious AI Projects
Ellison, now 81, stepped down as Oracle’s CEO in 2014 but remains executive chairman and chief technology officer. Under his leadership, Oracle launched the $500 billion “Stargate” initiative in 2025 to build AI-focused data centers, further solidifying its role in the AI revolution.
Beyond Technology: Ellison’s Diverse Ventures
Outside of Oracle, Ellison owns 98% of Lanai, Hawaii’s sixth-largest island. His investments extend to sports and entertainment, including funding Oracle Team USA’s America’s Cup victory and co-founding the SailGP league. He also revitalized the Indian Wells tennis tournament.
Ellison’s political ties lean Republican, and he has been active in tech policy discussions. In media, Ellison acquired nearly half of Paramount Skydance in 2025, a $28 billion entertainment venture led by his son, David Ellison, a producer of films like The Terminator. His daughter, Megan Ellison, is known for producing acclaimed movies such as Zero Dark Thirty.
Musk’s Decline and Ellison’s Rise
While Oracle’s transformation into an AI cloud leader has propelled Ellison’s wealth, Tesla’s stock struggles have lowered Musk’s ranking. This marks the first time Ellison, a tech pioneer for nearly five decades, has topped the global wealth list.
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