Oracle co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Larry Ellison has climbed to the Number 2 spot on Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, surpassing Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for the first time.
Ellison’s net worth has surged to an estimated $251.2 billion, buoyed by a staggering $59 billion gain since July 2024, as Oracle’s stock continues to rally on growing investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence.
The tech CEO’s rise comes as Oracle benefits from a wave of AI-driven demand across enterprise clients. Oracle is embedding AI into its enterprise software, such as Fusion Cloud ERP and Oracle Health Data Intelligence, enhancing forecasting, automation, and workforce management. For example, in healthcare, Oracle’s AI tools predict staffing needs, reducing overtime and improving patient care. The Oracle AI Agent Studio allows clients to build autonomous AI systems, redefining enterprise workflows.
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Oracle’s stock has nearly doubled in value since April, driven by strong quarterly earnings, cloud partnerships, and continued AI expansion. Its stock climbed from $140.72 in April 2025 to $242.608 as of July 17, 2025, a roughly 72% increase. The company’s fiscal Q4 2025 earnings report underscored its upward trajectory, with revenue rising 11% year-over-year to $15.9 billion. Cloud services and license support brought in $11.7 billion, a 14% increase, while operating cash flow reached $20.8 billion for the fiscal year, up 12%.
Other notable fiscal 2025 highlights include:
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Total annual revenue: $57.4 billion (up 8% YoY)
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Cloud services and license support: $44.0 billion (up 12% YoY)
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Non-GAAP net income: $4.9 billion for Q4
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Non-GAAP EPS: $1.70
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Oracle’s market cap: ~$650 billion
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Global ranking: 16th most valuable company by market capitalization
It is also worth noting that Ellison’s wealth leap was further accelerated by a $3.59 billion drop in Zuckerberg’s fortune on July 15. Despite the dip, Zuckerberg still boasts a $43.4 billion gain year-to-date. Closely behind Ellison is Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, whose net worth stands at $247 billion.
Larry Ellison, now 80, founded Oracle in 1977 and led the company as CEO for 37 years before stepping down in 2014. Today, he remains Oracle’s largest shareholder, owning roughly 40% of the company, a stake that accounts for over 80% of his total fortune. Ellison also served on Tesla’s board from 2018 to 2022. According to Forbes, his net worth was $59 billion in 2020, marking a stunning increase of over 325% in just five years.
His company, Oracle, has recently announced several high-profile AI deals. Just this week, Oracle committed to investing $3 billion to grow its AI and cloud infrastructure in Germany and the Netherlands. Last month, the company unveiled a massive $30 billion annual cloud deal with OpenAI, aimed at powering the growing needs of the ChatGPT maker’s expanding user base.
Oracle’s deal with OpenAI for AI model training, alongside partnerships with xAI (for Grok-3) and IBM (for Watson X), has solidified its position in the AI infrastructure race. These deals leverage Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) to meet the computational demands of large-scale AI workloads. Notably, Oracle’s strategic focus on AI infrastructure, sovereign cloud solutions, and vertical integration with its enterprise software positions it to capture significant market share in the AI-driven cloud boom, despite competition from hyperscalers.
Ellison’s story continues to exemplify strategic innovation and bold leadership. As AI reshapes the global tech landscape, Oracle’s rapid ascent and Ellison’s wealth boom signal a new era for the enterprise software giant.