In a stunning shift on the global wealth leaderboard, Oracle co-founder and Chairman Larry Ellison has claimed the title of the world’s second-richest person, surpassing tech titans Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. As of July 2025, Ellison’s net worth has soared to approximately $275.9 billion, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List, propelled by a 32% surge in Oracle’s stock price. This report delves into Ellison’s remarkable ascent, the factors driving his wealth, and the broader context of the 2025 Forbes Billionaire List, which now includes 3,028 individuals with a collective net worth of $16.1 trillion.
Key Highlights
- Ellison’s Wealth Surge: Larry Ellison’s net worth increased by $56 billion since June 2025, reaching $275.9 billion, securing his position as the second-richest person globally.
- Oracle’s Stock Rally: A 32% jump in Oracle’s stock price, fueled by strong Q4 2025 earnings and growing demand for AI and cloud services, is the primary driver of Ellison’s wealth.
- Forbes 2025 Billionaire List: The list features 3,028 billionaires with a total net worth of $16.1 trillion, up from 2,781 individuals and $14.2 trillion in 2024.
- Elon Musk Retains Top Spot: Despite a $16 billion drop, Elon Musk remains the world’s richest person with a net worth of approximately $410.8 billion.
- Bezos and Zuckerberg Slip: Jeff Bezos ($226.8 billion) and Mark Zuckerberg ($235.7 billion) now rank fourth and third, respectively, on Forbes’ list.
Background
Larry Ellison, the 80-year-old co-founder of Oracle Corporation, has been a pivotal figure in the tech industry since founding the company in 1977. Oracle, a leader in database management and cloud computing, has seen its stock soar due to the global AI boom and partnerships with major cloud providers like Amazon Web Services, Google, and Microsoft. Ellison owns roughly 40% of Oracle, which accounts for the bulk of his wealth, alongside investments in Tesla, real estate (including 98% of Hawaii’s Lanai island), and other ventures.
Ellison’s rise to the second-richest person marks a significant milestone, as he was ranked fourth on Forbes’ April 2025 Billionaire List with a net worth of $192 billion. His $66.8 billion gain in just two months from April to June 2025, followed by an additional $56 billion by July, underscores Oracle’s critical role in the AI and cloud computing era.
Factors Driving Ellison’s Wealth
Oracle’s Stellar Performance
Oracle’s Q4 2025 earnings, reported on June 11, 2025, exceeded Wall Street expectations with adjusted earnings of $1.70 per share and revenue of $15.9 billion. The company’s stock surged 13% on June 13 and an additional 7% by mid-July, reaching an all-time high of $215 per share. Oracle’s cloud infrastructure services, particularly its MultiCloud database revenue, grew 115% from Q3 to Q4, driven by partnerships with Amazon, Google, and Azure. This growth has positioned Oracle as a key player in AI training workloads, boosting investor confidence and Ellison’s fortune.
AI and Cloud Computing Boom
The global demand for AI infrastructure has been a significant catalyst for Oracle’s success. As companies race to develop generative AI models, Oracle’s cloud solutions, including Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), have become critical for hosting and processing large-scale AI workloads. Analyst Derrick Wood from TD Cowen described Oracle’s 2026 fiscal year, starting in June 2025, as a “major inflection point” for its cloud services, predicting continued growth.
Strategic Investments
Beyond Oracle, Ellison’s wealth is bolstered by a 1.4% stake in Tesla, valued at approximately $14.6 billion, and extensive real estate holdings, including Lanai island, purchased for $300 million in 2012. His involvement in high-profile ventures, such as Oracle’s joint Stargate project with SoftBank and OpenAI, further cements his influence in the tech ecosystem.
Competitive Landscape
Ellison’s ascent has reshuffled the top ranks of Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List:
- Elon Musk: $410.8 billion, driven by Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI. Musk’s wealth dipped by $16 billion but remains unchallenged at the top.
- Larry Ellison: $275.9 billion, up $56 billion since June 2025, fueled by Oracle’s stock rally.
- Mark Zuckerberg: $235.7 billion, down from second place, despite Meta’s AI investments.
- Jeff Bezos: $226.8 billion, impacted by a slight decline in Amazon’s stock.
- Warren Buffett: $152.1 billion, rounding out the top five after retiring from Berkshire Hathaway.
Notably, Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index ranks Ellison third with $234 billion as of June 15, 2025, behind Musk and Zuckerberg, highlighting slight discrepancies in wealth estimates.
Challenges and Outlook
Despite his success, Ellison faces potential risks:
- Market Volatility: Oracle’s stock slumped in January 2025, costing Ellison $22.6 billion in a single day due to a DeepSeek-driven tech selloff. Similar fluctuations could impact his ranking.
- Competition: Oracle competes with Amazon, Microsoft, and Google in the cloud market, requiring continuous innovation to maintain its edge.
- Geopolitical Factors: Oracle’s role as TikTok’s U.S. data host could face challenges if a U.S. ban is enforced, potentially affecting stock performance.
However, Ellison remains optimistic, stating, “Oracle’s future is bright in this new era of cloud computing. Oracle will be the number one cloud database company.” Analysts project Oracle’s cloud infrastructure services will continue to grow, potentially pushing Ellison’s net worth higher in 2026.
Broader Context: 2025 Forbes Billionaire List
The 2025 Forbes Billionaire List, released in April, recorded 3,028 billionaires with a collective net worth of $16.1 trillion, a significant increase from 2,781 billionaires and $14.2 trillion in 2024. This growth reflects the tech sector’s dominance, with U.S. billionaires like Musk, Ellison, Bezos, and Zuckerberg leading the pack. Notably, Mukesh Ambani, chairman of India’s Reliance Industries, ranks 15th globally with $116 billion, the only Asian in the $100 billion club.
The list also highlights the volatility of wealth, with Bernard Arnault, once the world’s richest in 2024, dropping to seventh place with $142 billion due to declining LVMH stocks.
Larry Ellison’s rise to the world’s second-richest person in July 2025 is a testament to Oracle’s pivotal role in the AI and cloud computing revolution. With a net worth of $275.9 billion, Ellison has outpaced Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, trailing only his close friend Elon Musk. As Oracle continues to capitalize on the AI boom, Ellison’s wealth is poised for further growth, though market volatility and competition remain challenges. The 2025 Forbes Billionaire List underscores the tech industry’s dominance, with Ellison’s ascent marking a defining moment in the global wealth landscape.
