Larry Ellison Surpasses Zuckerberg to Become World’s 2nd Richest Person

In a major reshuffle at the top of the global billionaire leaderboard, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been dethroned as the second-richest person in the world. The title has now been claimed by Oracle founder Larry Ellison, according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index.

“Gains of over $60 billion this year brought Ellison's net worth up to $257 billion, surpassing Zuckerberg's $247 billion, as of July 17.”

Larry Ellison Overtakes Zuckerberg in Global Wealth Rankings

What Triggered the Wealth Surge?

Oracle Stock Rally Powers Ellison’s Climb

The change in rankings came on the back of a sharp Oracle stock rally earlier this summer.

“Ellison's net worth jumped over $40 billion across three days in mid-June.”

The Oracle co-founder, who established the company in 1977 and served as its CEO for 37 years, continues to benefit from his approximately 40% stake in the software giant.

Oracle’s Bold AI Ambitions Add Fuel

Ellison’s growing fortune is also being propelled by Oracle’s aggressive investment in artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure.

“Earlier this week, Oracle also announced its plans for a $3 billion investment into AI and cloud infrastructure in Germany and the Netherlands over the next five years.”

The company’s participation in President Trump’s Project Stargate and other global AI ventures has further highlighted its transformation from a traditional enterprise software provider into a serious player in the AI revolution.

Ellison’s Lifestyle and Philanthropy

Despite his immense fortune, Larry Ellison hasn’t been without controversy. Critics have raised questions about the extent of his private holdings.

“Like many billionaires, Ellison has drawn some criticism for how he has used his wealth, including his 98% ownership of the Hawaiian island Lānaʻi.”

However, he has also demonstrated philanthropic intent:

“In 2010, Ellison joined the Giving Pledge, started by Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, and Warren Buffett, pledging to give a majority of his wealth to charitable causes in his lifetime.”

Top 10 Richest People in the World (as of July 2024)

The Billionaire Elite List

Elon Musk Holds the Crown Despite Losses

Even after enduring a tough financial year,

“Elon Musk still holds the lead for the top spot by over $100 billion despite already taking $66.9 billion in losses this year.”

Musk’s diversified empire across electric vehicles, space technology, AI, and social media keeps him well ahead of the competition.

AI Boom Reshaping Billionaire Fortunes

The current AI wave has significantly impacted billionaire net worths, especially those with stakes in cloud computing, chip manufacturing, and AI platforms. From Oracle’s strategic AI expansion to Nvidia’s dominance in AI chips, the world’s wealthiest are doubling down on next-gen tech.

Who is Larry Ellison?

Larry Ellison is an American businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, best known as the co-founder of Oracle Corporation. He is a towering figure in the technology world and one of the wealthiest people globally.

Here are some key facts about Larry Ellison:

Larry Ellison Co-founder of Oracle:

In 1977, Ellison co-founded Software Development Laboratories (SDL) with Bob Miner and Ed Oates. This company later became Oracle Corporation, named after a project they developed for the CIA. Under Ellison's leadership, Oracle grew to become a global leader in database software and enterprise technology.

Larry Ellison Former CEO and Current Roles at Oracle:

Ellison served as Oracle's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from its inception in 1977 until 2014. After stepping down as CEO, he transitioned to the roles of Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), positions he continues to hold. He remains deeply involved in Oracle's strategic direction, particularly its push into cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Larry Ellison Net Worth and Wealth:

Larry Ellison is consistently ranked among the world's richest individuals. As of mid-July 2025, his net worth has significantly surged, placing him as the second-richest person in the world, primarily driven by Oracle's strong performance and its growing investments in AI. His wealth is largely derived from his substantial stake (around 40%) in Oracle.

Visionary and Risk-Taker:

Ellison is known for his aggressive business tactics, competitive spirit, and visionary thinking. He made crucial strategic bets, such as the early adoption of the relational database model and later, the significant pivot to cloud computing, which kept Oracle at the forefront of the enterprise software industry. His recent focus on AI infrastructure and services has further propelled Oracle's growth.

Larry Ellison Philanthropy and Lifestyle:

Ellison is also known for his philanthropic endeavors and his extravagant lifestyle. He famously owns 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai, along with numerous other properties, luxury yachts, and private jets. He has been involved in America's Cup yacht racing and has held board positions at other prominent companies like Tesla and, at one point, Apple.

Larry Ellison Early Life:

Born in New York City in 1944, Ellison had a challenging early life, being adopted by his aunt and uncle. He dropped out of two colleges (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and University of Chicago) before embarking on his career as a computer programmer, eventually leading to the founding of Oracle.