Larry Ellison: The Story Behind the Fortune

Larry Ellison co-founded the software company Oracle in 1977 and led it as CEO for decades, building it into one of the world's largest database and enterprise software firms. He remains its chairman and chief technology officer.

Raised in modest circumstances in Chicago, he is known for an extravagant personal life, including ownership of most of the Hawaiian island of Lanai and a fleet of large yachts.

Larry Ellison built this fortune from the ground up — a self-made success in technology & software.

He studied at University of Illinois (dropped out) and is based in Lanai, Hawaii.

A few of the highlights on the public record: Co-founded Oracle in 1977 and led it as CEO for decades; Owns about 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai; Known as one of the largest individual yacht owners in the world.

The journey to get here is well documented. In 1977, started the company, originally Software Development Laboratories, with Bob Miner and Ed Oates. In 1986, took Oracle public on the Nasdaq. In 2012, purchased roughly 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai for about $300 million. In 2014, handed the chief executive role to Safra Catz and Mark Hurd, remaining chairman and chief technology officer.

The success shows up in what's publicly reported, too: Lanai, Hawaii — owns roughly 98% of the Hawaiian island, purchased in 2012 for about $300M, including its resorts and much of its commercial property; Musashi — 288-foot yacht, built in a minimalist style at a reported cost of around $160M; Katana — 244-foot yacht built by Blohm+Voss, reported to include a private cinema and gym.

On net worth alone, the closest companies are Elon Musk ($417.59B) and Michael Dell ($324.48B) — a reminder of how tightly bunched the very top of the wealth list really is.

On the personal side: Larry is married, married to Jolin Zhu.

Today, Larry is worth an estimated $169.70B — #8 in the world on our real-time list, a figure that moves with ORCL's share price.