At 81 years old, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has built a fortune so massive — around $365 billion — that it places him second only to Elon Musk among the world’s wealthiest people. But unlike other tech billionaires who diversify, sell shares, or play it safe with their assets, Ellison has built his empire by doing the exact opposite.
He’s held tightly to his Oracle stock for nearly five decades, weathering booms and busts, and instead of cashing out, he’s borrowed against his holdings to fund one of the most extravagant lifestyles on the planet.
Betting Everything on Oracle
While Elon Musk owns less than 20% of Tesla, Jeff Bezos has sold down to about 8% of Amazon, and Mark Zuckerberg holds 14% of Meta, Ellison still controls a staggering 41% of Oracle — more than 1.16 billion shares. His ownership dwarfs that of his peers, making him the ultimate “all-in” founder.
He has occasionally sold stock — about $5.1 billion worth over decades, often to cover taxes or exercise options — but compared to his overall stake, it’s pocket change. Oracle itself has fueled his rise too, buying back so many shares over the past 15 years that Ellison’s ownership ballooned from 23% to 41% without him lifting a finger.
A Fortune Built on Debt and Leverage
So how does he live like a king without selling his crown jewels? The answer: leverage.
Ellison has pledged roughly 277 million Oracle shares — valued at more than $82 billion — as collateral for loans. That borrowed cash funds everything from his sprawling real estate empire to high-stakes business bets. It’s risky, but it lets him maintain control of Oracle while spending as freely as he pleases.
A Lifestyle of Record-Breaking Purchases
Ellison’s personal empire is legendary:
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Dozens of luxury homes, including record-breaking properties in Florida.
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The Hawaiian island of Lanai, where he’s building a green utopia.
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The Indian Wells tennis tournament.
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A 288-foot mega-yacht and a fleet of vintage fighter jets.
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The Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, bought for $277 million just last year.
And that’s just the real estate and toys.
Playing in Sports, Media, and Tech
Ellison has poured billions into ventures outside Oracle. He co-founded SailGP, a global sailing league, and invested in Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter (now X). His latest play: backing his son David’s Skydance Media, which recently acquired Paramount for $8 billion and is eyeing an even bigger move for Warner Bros. Discovery.
He’s also betting big on the future, investing in longevity research, climate solutions, and cutting-edge tech startups.
A Complex Mix of Philanthropy and Power
Ellison isn’t just spending on himself. He’s given hundreds of millions to philanthropy and signed The Giving Pledge, promising to dedicate much of his wealth to global causes. His newly launched Ellison Institute of Technology, in partnership with Oxford University, aims to tackle climate change, disease, and world hunger.
But even his giving has headlines: last year, he reportedly funded a $10 million NIL deal for a University of Michigan football recruit, showing his philanthropy can be as unconventional as his wealth-building.
The Outlier of Billionaire Wealth
Most wealth advisors would call Ellison’s approach reckless: borrowing heavily, concentrating everything in one company, and spending as though money were infinite. Yet for nearly five decades, it’s worked.
“Ellison does seem to stand out, not just for his wealth but for the sheer size of his pledged shares,” says Michael Sury, a finance professor at the University of Texas.
In other words, Larry Ellison is living proof that breaking the rules, at least if you’re Larry Ellison — can make you richer than almost anyone alive.
