50 Facts About Larry Ellison

Early Life and Adoption

Larry Ellison's journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a tech mogul is nothing short of inspiring. His early life laid the foundation for his relentless drive and ambition.

1. Larry Ellison was born Lawrence Joseph Ellison on August 17, 1944, in the Bronx, New York.
2. His mother, Florence Spellman, was an unmarried 19-year-old Jewish woman who gave him up for adoption.
3. At nine months old, Ellison was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Lillian and Louis Ellison.
4. He did not meet his biological mother again until he was 48 years old.
5. His adoptive father, Louis, was an Italian-American who served in the United States Army Air Corps and later became a government official.
6. The Great Depression caused Louis to lose his fortune, impacting the family's financial stability.

Education and Early Career

Ellison's academic journey was marked by several twists and turns, but his passion for technology remained unwavering.

7. Ellison attended South Shore High School in Chicago.
8. He enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a pre-med student.
9. He was named science student of the year but withdrew after his adoptive mother's death.
10. He briefly studied physics and mathematics at the University of Chicago.
11. At 22, Ellison moved to Berkeley, California, and began his career as a computer programmer.
12. He worked for companies like Fireman’s Fund, Wells Fargo Bank, and Amdahl Corporation.

Founding Oracle

Ellison's vision and determination led to the creation of one of the world's most influential tech companies.

13. Ellison was inspired by Edgar F. Codd's paper on relational databases.
14. In 1977, he co-founded Software Development Laboratories (SDL) with Bob Miner and Ed Oates.
15. The company started with a $2,000 investment, with Ellison contributing $1,200.
16. Their first project was a database for the CIA, named "Oracle."
17. The first commercial relational database, Oracle 2, was released in 1979.
18. The CIA was among Oracle's earliest customers.

Rapid Growth and Challenges

Oracle's journey to becoming a tech giant was filled with both rapid growth and significant challenges.

19. In 1980, Oracle had only eight employees and revenues of less than $1 million.
20. IBM's adoption of Oracle for its mainframe systems in 1980 spurred the company's growth.
21. Oracle's sales doubled every year for the next seven years.
22. In 1983, the company was renamed Oracle Corporation.
23. Oracle went public in 1986, raising $31.5 million with its IPO.
24. In 1990, Oracle posted its first losses, and its market capitalization fell by 80 percent.

Leadership and Innovation

Ellison's leadership and innovative spirit have been pivotal in Oracle's success.

25. Ellison served as President of Oracle from 1978 to 1996.
26. He had two stints as Chairman of the Board, from 1990 to 1992 and again from 1995 to 2004.
27. He was Oracle’s only chief executive officer for the company’s first 37 years.
28. In 2014, he stepped down as CEO but remained Executive Chairman and Chief Technology Officer.
29. The release of Oracle 7 in 1992 marked a turning point, making Oracle the industry leader.
30. Oracle's stock regained much of its previous value after the release of Oracle 7.

Net Worth and Investments

Ellison's financial acumen and strategic investments have significantly contributed to his immense wealth.

31. As of November 2024, Ellison is the third-wealthiest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $208 billion.
32. He owns 98% of Lānaʻi, the sixth-largest island in the Hawaiian Islands.
33. Ellison has invested in companies like Tesla, Salesforce, and NetSuite.
34. In June 2012, he bought 98 percent of Lānaʻi from David Murdock's company for between $500 million and $600 million.
35. His net worth surged by $14 billion due to spiking demand for generative AI.

Personal Life and Interests

Ellison's personal life is as dynamic as his professional one, filled with diverse interests and high-profile relationships.

36. Ellison is known for his flamboyant lifestyle and impressive watch collection.
37. He indulges in hobbies like yacht racing and owns several high-profile yachts.
38. His son David Ellison is set to become the CEO of Paramount after its merger with Skydance Media.
39. Ellison has close relationships with business leaders like Elon Musk.
40. He moved to Lanai full-time in December 2020, continuing to work from there using Zoom.

Philanthropy and Community Impact

While not always in the spotlight, Ellison's philanthropic efforts and community investments have made a significant impact.

41. Ellison's business ventures and investments have indirectly contributed to various charitable causes.
42. His ownership of Lānaʻi has led to significant investments in the island's infrastructure and community development.
43. He has been involved in several high-profile sports events, including the America's Cup.
44. In 2013, Oracle Team USA, led by Ellison, won the 34th America's Cup in San Francisco Bay.
45. In 2019, Ellison started the SailGP international racing series with Russell Coutts.

Legacy and Influence

Ellison's legacy in the tech world is profound, with his innovations shaping the future of computing and business.

46. Ellison's vision for Oracle positioned the company to profit from the dot-com boom.
47. Oracle developed products used by all of the 100 largest public companies worldwide.
48. As of June 10, 2023, Ellison was the 5th richest person in the world with a net worth of $124 billion.
49. Oracle employs over 135,000 people and had annual revenues of $40 billion in 2021.
50. Ellison's prediction about the internet's impact on business positioned Oracle at the forefront of technological advancements.

Larry Ellison's Legacy

Larry Ellison's journey from a young programmer to the co-founder of Oracle Corporation is nothing short of remarkable. His innovative spirit and relentless drive have made Oracle a global leader in database management software. With a net worth of $208 billion, Ellison's influence extends beyond tech, touching sports, philanthropy, and even island ownership. His investments in companies like Tesla and Salesforce show his knack for spotting future trends. Owning 98% of Lānaʻi, he's also made significant contributions to its development. Ellison's leadership style, marked by bold decisions and strategic acquisitions, has left an indelible mark on the tech industry. Whether through his business ventures or personal interests, Larry Ellison continues to shape the world in profound ways. His legacy is a testament to the power of vision, innovation, and perseverance.