Larry Ellison Net Worth: Inside One of the Most Volatile Fortunes Ever Built
For nearly half a century, Larry Ellison has done something almost no other founder has dared to do: hold on. Hold the shares. Hold control. Hold risk. As of early 2026, following sharp swings tied to Oracle’s AI spending and earnings volatility, Bloomberg estimates Ellison’s net worth at approximately $258 billion, a figure that still places him among the wealthiest people in history—even after losing tens of billions in single-day market moves.
Ellison’s fortune isn’t tidy or diversified in the conventional sense. It’s concentrated, leveraged, and unapologetically old-school—built primarily on his roughly 40–41% ownership stake in Oracle, the software company he co-founded in 1977 and still steers as chairman and chief technology officer.
Early Life and Career Foundations
Ellison’s origin story is famously unpolished. Born in New York City in 1944 and raised in Chicago by adoptive parents, he dropped out of both the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago. What he didn’t drop was curiosity. By the 1970s, he was working as a programmer in California, including on database projects inspired by research commissioned by the CIA.
In 1977, Ellison co-founded Software Development Laboratories—soon renamed Oracle after its flagship product. The company’s early years were chaotic, marked by accounting issues and near-collapse after its 1986 IPO. But by the early 1990s, Oracle had emerged as the dominant force in relational databases, setting the foundation for one of the longest wealth compounding stories in modern business.
How He Built His Fortune
Oracle co-founder and chairman Larry Ellison speaks at a company event as Oracle’s cloud and AI strategy continues to drive major swings in his net worth.
Ellison’s wealth comes overwhelmingly from equity concentration rather than salary, bonuses, or frequent share sales.
He owns approximately 1.16 billion Oracle shares, representing about 41% of the company’s outstanding stock. While he has sold shares over the years—largely to exercise options or pay taxes—those sales total roughly $5.1 billion, a small fraction of his overall stake.
Two structural forces magnified his ownership:
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Oracle’s massive share repurchase program, which reduced outstanding shares by roughly 36% over 15 years
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Ellison’s refusal to meaningfully diversify, even as peers steadily sold down stakes
When Oracle’s stock surged during the AI boom of 2023–2025, Ellison briefly crossed the $400 billion threshold—becoming only the second person ever to do so. When the stock pulled back, his net worth fell just as fast.
Estimated Career Earnings Timeline
Ellison’s career earnings are inseparable from Oracle’s stock price:
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1980s–1990s: Net worth climbs into the billions as Oracle dominates enterprise databases
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2000–2010: Volatility from tech cycles, but continued accumulation
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2014: Steps down as CEO after 37 years, retains chairman and CTO roles
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2020–2025: Cloud transition and AI infrastructure spending drive historic valuation swings
At its peak in September 2025, Oracle’s rally briefly made Ellison the richest person alive. By December, a post-earnings selloff wiped roughly $25 billion in a single day, underscoring how tightly his wealth tracks Oracle’s fortunes.
Real Estate and Major Assets
An aerial view of Larry Ellison’s North Palm Beach oceanfront estate, a sprawling Florida property that has remained part of his real estate portfolio despite a previously reported $145 million listing.
Ellison’s physical assets are legendary—and sprawling.
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Lanai, Hawaii: He owns nearly 98% of the island, purchased in 2012 for about $300 million, and relocated there permanently in 2020
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Florida: Acquired a record-setting $173 million oceanfront mansion in Manalapan, followed by the $277 million Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa
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Yachts & Aircraft: Includes a 288-foot mega-yacht and a collection of vintage military aircraft
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Sports: Owner of the Indian Wells tennis tournament and co-founder of the global SailGP racing league
These assets don’t drive his net worth—but they explain how he spends billions without selling stock.
Business Ventures and Ownership
Beyond Oracle, Ellison has quietly assembled influence across technology, media, and sports:
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Former Tesla board member (2018–2022), holding 45 million split-adjusted shares
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Backer of Skydance Media, run by his son David, which merged with Paramount in 2025
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The Ellison family now owns nearly 50% of Paramount Skydance, valuing the media stake in the tens of billions
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Investor in technology, longevity research, sailing, and select private ventures
Crucially, Ellison often borrows against his Oracle shares rather than selling them—pledging roughly 277 million shares as collateral to fund acquisitions and investments while maintaining control.
Legal Issues and Financial Turning Points
Ellison’s most notable legal moment came in 2001, when Oracle stock plunged after earnings disappointed shortly following his share sale. The resulting insider-trading lawsuit ended in a settlement, without criminal conviction, and did not materially disrupt his long-term ownership.
More recently, governance experts have scrutinized his heavy use of share pledging. Oracle’s board has publicly stated that Ellison’s borrowing does not pose a material risk to shareholders, citing his ability to repay loans without forced sales.
Estate, Trusts, and Inheritance Impact
Ellison is a signatory to The Giving Pledge, though his overall philanthropic footprint remains more targeted than that of many peers with comparable wealth.
He has two adult children, David and Megan Ellison, both deeply embedded in the film industry. David Ellison now leads Paramount following its 2025 merger with Skydance, while Megan Ellison founded Annapurna Pictures. Their professional roles place them directly within the Ellison family’s broader investment and media influence.
Given the scale and concentration of Ellison’s fortune—particularly his Oracle holdings—his estate planning is widely expected to rely on sophisticated trust structures rather than traditional probate. Such arrangements would allow for tax efficiency, continuity of control, and long-term stewardship of core assets, especially his Oracle stake and growing media interests.
Philanthropy and Social Impact
Ellison has donated hundreds of millions of dollars, with a growing focus on:
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The Ellison Institute of Technology, partnered with the University of Oxford
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Climate change research, disease prevention, and global food security
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Education and high-profile NIL deals, including a reported $10 million agreement tied to University of Michigan athletics
Unlike peers who emphasize public philanthropy, Ellison’s giving has been more targeted—and quieter.
Legacy and Public Reaction
Larry Ellison’s legacy is complicated, and that’s exactly the point. He built one of the largest fortunes in history not by playing it safe, but by breaking nearly every rule of modern wealth management. Concentration over diversification. Control over liquidity. Risk over comfort.
Whether Oracle’s AI bets ultimately justify that risk will shape the final chapters of his financial story. But even after historic losses, Ellison remains a case study in how conviction—taken to extremes—can bend the arc of wealth itself.
Income / Asset Source Breakdown
| Income / Asset Source | Estimated Verified Value (USD) |
|---|---|
| Oracle Equity Stake (≈40–41%) | $230,000,000,000 |
| Paramount Skydance Ownership | $15,000,000,000 |
| Tesla Shares & Past Board Holdings | $7,000,000,000 |
| Real Estate (Lanai, Florida, Resorts) | $4,000,000,000 |
| Private Investments & Sports Assets | $2,000,000,000 |
| Total Estimated Net Worth | $258,000,000,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Larry Ellison’s net worth in 2026?
As of late 2026, Bloomberg estimates Larry Ellison’s net worth at approximately $258 billion, following significant volatility tied to Oracle’s stock performance and investor reactions to its AI spending and earnings results.
What was his highest-earning period?
Ellison’s highest-earning period occurred in mid-to-late 2026, when Oracle’s stock surged on AI optimism, briefly pushing his net worth above $400 billion—one of the largest personal fortunes ever recorded.
Does Larry Ellison own real estate, and what is it worth?
Yes. Ellison owns nearly all of the Hawaiian island of Lanai, luxury estates in Florida, and major resort properties. His real estate holdings are estimated to be worth roughly $4 billion.
Has legal controversy ever impacted his wealth?
Ellison settled an insider-trading lawsuit in the early 2000s related to Oracle stock sales. The matter did not result in criminal charges and had no lasting impact on his ownership or long-term net worth.
Who will inherit Larry Ellison’s wealth?
Ellison has two children, David and Megan Ellison. While exact inheritance plans are private, his estate is widely expected to be managed through trusts designed to preserve control and minimize probate exposure.
How is his estate likely handled under U.S. law?
Given the scale of his assets, Ellison’s estate planning likely relies on complex trust structures rather than standard probate, allowing for tax efficiency, continuity of control, and long-term asset management.
How did Larry Ellison get so rich?
Larry Ellison built his wealth primarily through his long-term ownership of Oracle, the enterprise software company he co-founded in 1977. Unlike many founders, he rarely sold shares, allowing compounding to do the work. Oracle stock appreciation—especially during cloud and AI-driven growth—accounts for the vast majority of his fortune.
Who is the no. 1 richest person in the world?
As of early 2026 rankings, Elon Musk holds the top position, followed by Larry Page and Larry Ellison. Ellison has periodically moved into the number-one spot during Oracle stock surges, but global rankings fluctuate frequently based on market movements and company valuations.
How much of Hawaii is owned by Larry Ellison?
Larry Ellison owns approximately 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai, which he purchased in 2012 for about $300 million. The acquisition included most of the island’s land, utilities, housing, and luxury resorts, making it one of the largest private island ownership arrangements in the United States.
Is Larry Ellison richer than Elon Musk?
At times in 2025, Larry Ellison briefly surpassed Elon Musk in net worth during sharp rallies in Oracle’s stock. However, those shifts were temporary. As of the most recent global wealth rankings, Musk remains richer overall, with Ellison close behind depending on market conditions.
