Larry Ellison

American internet entrepreneur and businessman (born 1944) · United States · Founders

Larry Ellison is read about 9,248 times a day, in 67 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 15 October 2026

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He co-founded Oracle and ran it for nearly four decades, then watched his net worth spike to $393 billion in a single September day - briefly the richest human alive. Now he owns most of a Hawaiian island and holds billions in Tesla and Paramount.

Executives Actor Movies Entrepreneurship United States Americas 20th Century

A life in dates

2016“So remember this graduates: when people start saying you're crazy, you just might be on to the most important innovation of your life.”In their wordsEllison's 2016 graduation speech to the University of Southern California, in relation to creating the first relational databaseRead the whole statement

2008“The computer industry is the only industry that is more fashion-driven than women's fashion. Maybe I'm an idiot, but I have no idea what anyone is talking about. What is it?”In their wordsReferring to the term "cloud computing" in his Oracle OpenWorld 2008 speech, as quoted in "Oracle's Ellison nails cloud computing" at cnetRead the whole statement

2002“Twenty minutes compared to never, that's a lot. Our customer, the Central Intelligence Agency, would get very upset [if] somebody looks in their database.”In their words21 January 2002As quoted in "Ellison: Oracle remains unbreakable" CNN (21 January 2002).Read the whole statement

2000“If the Internet turns out not to be the future of computing, we're toast. But if it is, we're golden.”In their words7 February 2000Statement in 1999, as quoted in "Oracle's Talking: Should You Be Listening?" by Jeff Sweat in Information Week (7 February 2000).Read the whole statement

1996“I hate the PC, with a passion.”In their wordsTriumph of the Nerds: The Rise of Accidental Empires (1996), 47"00.Read the whole statement

1995“When I started Oracle, what I wanted to do was to create an environment where I would enjoy working. That was my primary goal. Sure, I wanted to make a living.”In their words24 October 1995Smithsonian Institution Oral and Visual Histories, Oral History Interview with Lawrence Ellison (24 October 1995).Read the whole statement

1944Born17 August 1944

Also in Deutsch

Photos 4

Larry Ellison lecturing at the Oracle OpenWorld, San Francisco 2010

Ellison in 2009

Ellison (right) with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in 2020

In their own words 10

Larry Ellison

10 statements, newest first

So remember this graduates: when people start saying you're crazy, you just might be on to the most important innovation of your life.
2016, Ellison's 2016 graduation speech to the University of Southern California, in relation to creating the first relational database, Own words
The computer industry is the only industry that is more fashion-driven than women's fashion. Maybe I'm an idiot, but I have no idea what anyone is talking about. What is it?
2008, Referring to the term "cloud computing" in his Oracle OpenWorld 2008 speech, as quoted in "Oracle's Ellison nails cloud computing" at cnet, Own words
If an open source product gets good enough, we'll simply take it.
Apr 18, 2006, Financial Times interview (18 April 2006)., Own words

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Family

Mother Florence Spellman

Larry Ellison

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About this person

Lawrence Joseph Ellison was born August 17, 1944. In 1977 he co-founded Oracle Corporation and served as CEO until 2014, when he moved to CTO and executive chairman. By early 2026 his fortune stood at $201-203 billion, making him the world's sixth-richest person. On September 10, 2025, a jump in Oracle's stock price pushed his net worth to an estimated $393 billion - for a moment, the top of the list. Beyond software, he owns 98% of Lānaʻi, the sixth-largest Hawaiian island, holds over $19 billion in Tesla, and controls Paramount Skydance, run by his son David.

Country

United States