Larry Ellison

Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, is one of the most recognizable figures in global technology. Born in New York in 1944 and raised in Chicago, he grew up with modest means. Ellison dropped out of college twice, but his fascination with computers shaped his path.

In 1977, with two partners and just $2,000, he launched Software Development Laboratories. The company built a database system based on emerging relational database concepts and was later renamed Oracle, after a CIA project the team had worked on. Oracle became the first major company to commercialize SQL, the language of databases.

The gamble paid off. By the 1980s, Oracle was a leader in enterprise data management. Under Ellison’s leadership, the company expanded aggressively into new technologies. Acquisitions of PeopleSoft, Siebel, Sun Microsystems, and NetSuite strengthened its reach. Oracle transformed into a global powerhouse serving governments and corporations alike, and its database software remains a backbone of modern finance, retail, and telecom industries.

More recently, the company has shifted its focus toward cloud infrastructure and AI. Ellison, known for his competitive streak, often clashed with rivals such as Microsoft and SAP. His larger-than-life persona also extended into sailing, aviation, and high-profile real estate.

Despite stepping down as CEO in 2014, he remains Oracle’s chairman and chief technology officer. His vision continues to shape the company’s strategy in a fast-changing tech landscape. With a net worth placing him among the richest people in the world, Ellison’s influence endures. At 81, he is still an active force in technology, business, and media speculation. Oracle’s story, inseparable from Ellison’s own, is a study in risk, reinvention, and dominance.

Recent news

Sept 18 2025

Larry Ellison, already a significant stakeholder in CBS and Paramount, now has his eyes set on CNN, HBO, and a sizable share of TikTok. If everything unfolds as expected, the Oracle founder—one of the world’s wealthiest individuals—could, at 81, emerge as one of the most influential media and entertainment moguls in American history.