Larry Ellison overtakes Elon Musk as the richest person in the world
- Larry Ellison's stake in Oracle allowed him to bypass Elon Musk in wealth ranking.
- Oracle's stock price increased significantly to boost its market valuation.
- Ellison’s rise to the top position reflects the volatility and competition among billionaires.
On September 10, 2025, in the United States, a significant shift occurred in the global wealth rankings as Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle Corporation, exceeded Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, to become the richest person in the world. This notable change was primarily due to a substantial surge in Oracle's stock price, which jumped over 40% to $340 per share. With Ellison's substantial ownership stake of more than 40% in the company, this stock increase boosted Oracle's overall valuation to approximately $958 billion. According to Bloomberg's billionaire index, the surge provided Ellison with an estimated fortune of $393 billion, surpassing Musk's net worth of $384 billion. Prior to this occurrence, Musk held the title of the world's richest individual for substantial periods since January 2021, when he first claimed the title. However, he was overtaken by Jeff Bezos in March of the previous year, showcasing the volatility of billionaire rankings driven by stock market fluctuations. Bloomberg indicated that this specific increase in Ellison's wealth was noted as the largest one-day increase ever recorded in the billionaire rankings. Ellison's journey to immense wealth began when he co-founded Oracle in 1977 after dropping out of college. Throughout the years, he played a significant role in transforming Oracle into one of the leading global software companies. Upon stepping down as CEO in 2014, he maintained a robust net worth of over $51 billion, establishing himself as a prominent figure in the technology sector. Furthermore, Ellison has been recognized not only for his business acumen but also for his political affiliations, particularly during the presidency of Donald Trump, where he has been a vocal supporter. His appearances at various White House events indicated an active engagement with political matters, adding another layer to his public persona beyond just being a tech mogul. This moment undoubtedly represents a pivotal shift in the dynamics of wealth in the technology sector and prompts a discussion on the influences of technological advancements and market performance on billionaire status.