Oracle’s Larry Ellison Becomes World’s No. 2 Billionaire
A tech titan reclaims the spotlight as Oracle’s Larry Ellison climbs above Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg on the global billionaire ladder.
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison just dethroned Mark Zuckerberg to become the world’s second-richest person, thanks to a powerful rally in Oracle stock and favorable news from the chip industry. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Ellison’s net worth has soared to $251 billion, putting him just behind Tesla’s Elon Musk. The two key players—Oracle and Larry Ellison—have dominated headlines, and for good reason.
Oracle Stock Surge Fuels Ellison’s Wealth Boom
Ellison’s rise can largely be attributed to the stunning growth of Oracle’s share price. On Tuesday alone, Oracle stock jumped 5.7%, closing at $241.19. This uptick followed the U.S. government’s decision to allow chipmakers Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to resume exporting select semiconductors to China—a move that sparked renewed investor interest in enterprise tech.
Just last month, Oracle’s rally added a staggering $26 billion to Ellison’s net worth. His fortune is now up $59 billion year-to-date, as markets increasingly bet on Oracle’s AI-driven future.
Zuckerberg Drops to Third as Meta Shares Dip
While Ellison’s wealth continues its upward trajectory, Mark Zuckerberg has slipped to third place. Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, saw its shares decline 1.05% this week, closing at $702.91. This mild drop, combined with Oracle’s strong momentum, tipped the scales in Ellison’s favor.
Billionaire Leaderboard: Familiar Names, Shifting Ranks
Ellison’s ascent comes amid broader movement in the top ranks of the billionaire elite. According to Bloomberg:
Elon Musk remains No. 1
Jeff Bezos holds the fourth position
Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO, rounds out the top five
Each leader’s wealth continues to shift based on public market valuations, particularly in the technology sector.
Ellison’s Fortune: Rooted in Oracle
Ellison, who’s been a billionaire since 1993, has amassed 80% of his fortune through Oracle stock and options. Now 80 years old, he still serves as Oracle’s Chief Technology Officer and remains one of the most influential figures in enterprise software.
This deep stake in Oracle ties his personal success directly to the company’s market performance—meaning any bullish momentum in Oracle could push him even closer to the top spot.
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