Oracle co-founder, CTO and Executive Chairman Larry Ellison, is now the world's second-richest person. (Bloomberg)
Larry Ellison is back in the headlines—and this time, it’s not just for his long game in tech. At 80, the Oracle co-founder has officially surpassed Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg to become the world’s second-richest person. His net worth? A staggering $251 billion, up by nearly $60 billion in 2025 alone.
So, what sparked this massive leap in wealth? The answer lies in Oracle’s bold bet on artificial intelligence—and its recent, record-breaking performance.
Oracle’s Winning Streak: Powered by AI
Oracle’s shares have been on a serious rally. The company, which Ellison founded back in 1977, is up 41% this year. The tech giant has clearly hit a sweet spot by aligning itself with the AI wave that’s currently sweeping through global markets.
What’s more, Oracle’s recent quarterly earnings stunned analysts. In May, the company reported Q4 revenues of $15.9 billion—an 11% jump. But what really grabbed attention was the 41% surge in future contracts, bringing its remaining performance obligations to a massive $138 billion.
Investors love numbers like that. And clearly, Ellison is reaping the rewards.
Riding the Stargate Momentum
Beyond quarterly reports, Oracle is also playing a central role in something much bigger—Stargate, the U.S. government’s high-stakes plan to dominate global AI infrastructure.
Launched under President Trump’s second term, the Stargate initiative plans to pump $500 billion into AI over four years. Oracle, alongside giants like OpenAI, SoftBank, and MGX, is one of the founding equity partners. Even better? Oracle is also a tech partner in the project, teaming up with Microsoft, Arm, and Nvidia.
This isn't just PR—it's power positioning. Being at the center of such a monumental project puts Oracle in a prime spot to drive growth for years to come.
Going Global: A $3 Billion AI Investment in Europe
Just when you think Oracle couldn’t go harder on AI, it announces yet another bold move.
This time, it’s a $3 billion investment in Germany and the Netherlands. The goal? To expand cloud infrastructure and meet the growing demand for AI services across Europe.
This global push shows Oracle isn’t just chasing headlines—it’s laying the groundwork for long-term AI leadership.
Not Everyone's Convinced
Despite the optimism, some analysts are hitting pause. Goldman Sachs recently issued a “neutral” rating on Oracle. Their concern? That Oracle might be pouring too much money into capital-heavy AI training infrastructure—which could squeeze its cash flow over time.
It’s a fair point. Growth at this scale often comes with risk. But if Oracle’s current trajectory holds, Ellison might just prove the skeptics wrong—again.
Ellison’s Giving Pledge: A New Chapter
With great wealth comes great responsibility—and Ellison knows it. Back in 2010, he joined the Giving Pledge, promising to donate 95% of his fortune to charity.
This week, he updated that pledge in a big way. Instead of distributing funds across nonprofits, he’s now focusing his giving on a single powerhouse: the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), newly launched at the University of Oxford.
According to Ellison, EIT aims to tackle real-world issues like hunger, health care, and climate change. That means funding everything from life-saving drug development to indoor farming and renewable energy solutions.
His post on X said it best: “I am amending my giving pledge and promising to do more.”
Who’s Next in the AI Billionaire Race?
Ellison isn’t the only tech titan riding the AI boom. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is also climbing fast. Huang’s net worth has jumped to $149 billion—leapfrogging none other than Warren Buffett, who now trails at $141 billion.
Clearly, this new era of AI is reshaping more than just technology. It’s reshaping the world’s wealth ladder too.
Final Thoughts
Larry Ellison’s rise to the second-richest person alive isn’t just about money. It’s a story about bold bets, visionary leadership, and staying relevant in a world that moves fast.
Whether through Oracle’s AI dominance or his focused philanthropy, Ellison is showing us what it looks like to evolve with the times—and still lead from the front.
And at 80, he's not slowing down.
