Larry Ellison Climbs to #2 on Global Rich List, Leapfrogging Bezos & Zuckerberg
— Larry Ellison’s fortune soared by $23 billion in one day, elevating him to the world’s second-richest person amid Oracle’s AI-driven stock surge.
A Billionaire’s Meteoric Rise
On June 12, 2025, Oracle co-founder and CTO Larry Ellison vaulted into the spot as the second-wealthiest individual in the world, overtaking both Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos. This dramatic change was fueled by a $23 billion surge in his net worth in just one trading session, pushing it to a staggering $240 billion.
At nearly the same time, comparisons were stark:
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Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, trails with about $241 billion;
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Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, follows at around $229 billion.
Only Elon Musk outpaces Ellison, maintaining his long-held lead with roughly $394 billion.
What Triggered the Surge?
The sharp advance in Ellison’s fortune stemmed from a robust rally in Oracle shares, propelled by three major factors:
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AI Momentum: Oracle has aggressively ramped up its cloud offerings and invested in AI, fueling investor optimism around cloud-computing expansion.
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Corporate Strategy: The company’s push into AI infrastructure—partnering with giants like AWS, Microsoft, and Google—has started paying off, significantly boosting stock performance.
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Market Rally Effects: Broader market rallies, like the one after recent tariff changes, amplified the wealth of all major tech magnates—Ellison included, with an additional $15.5 billion gained in one session.
Billionaire Benchmark: June 2025 Ranking**
As of early June 2025, here's how the top five line up:
| Rank | Name | Net Worth (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elon Musk | $394 billion |
| 2 | Larry Ellison | $240 billion |
| 3 | Mark Zuckerberg | $241 billion |
| 4 | Jeff Bezos | $229 billion |
| 5 | Warren Buffett | $154 billion |
Ellison's leap from around fourth to second is a testament to Oracle’s renewed investor confidence.
Who Is Larry Ellison?
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Early Life: Born August 17, 1944, in New York City, he left college before earning a degree and co-founded Oracle in 1977.
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Oracle Leadership: He served as CEO until 2014, then transitioned to executive chairman and CTO—positions he holds today.
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AI and Cloud Pivot: Oracle has repositioned itself as a formidable player in cloud infrastructure and AI, closing the gap with Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.
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Beyond Tech: Ellison owns 98% of Lānaʻi island, has deep interests in aviation and sailing (notably the America’s Cup), and dabbles in philanthropy—especially medicine and education.
What Lies Ahead?
While Ellison’s current standing is unmatched, his position remains vulnerable to:
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Stock Volatility: A market downturn or changing sentiment around AI could quickly reset fortunes.
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Competitive Threats: As Oracle vies for cloud and AI dominance, competition from AWS, Azure, and Google’s offerings remains fierce.
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Macro Sensitivities: Economic or policy shifts—like changes in tariffs or interest rates—may trigger reversals in billionaire rankings.
