Larry Ellison
| Personal Details | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 August 1944 New York City, New York, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Children | David Ellison; Megan Ellison |
| Career & Education | |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Business Executive, Technology Executive |
| Alma Mater | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; University of Chicago |
| Institution | Oracle Corporation |
| Known For | Co-founding Oracle and helping establish the relational database software industry |
| Years Active | 1966–present |
| Recognition & Links | |
| Awards | National Medal of Technology and Innovation; Entrepreneurial Leadership Award; Oracle Lifetime Achievement |
| Website | Official Website |
Lawrence Joseph Ellison, commonly known as Larry Ellison (born 17 August 1944), is an American entrepreneur, business executive and technology leader. He is the co-founder, Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Technology Officer of Oracle Corporation, one of the world's major enterprise software and cloud-computing companies. Ellison founded Oracle in 1977 and served as its Chief Executive Officer until September 2014. ([oracle.com](https://www.oracle.com/corporate/executives/larry-ellison/))
Ellison played a major role in the commercial development of relational database software. Under his leadership, Oracle expanded from a database company into a broad technology organization providing enterprise applications, cloud infrastructure, database technologies and other computing services.
As of 2026, Ellison remains Oracle's Executive Chairman and Chief Technology Officer, while the company is led operationally by co-CEOs Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia. ([oracle.com](https://www.oracle.com/corporate/executives/))
Early life
Larry Ellison was born on 17 August 1944 in New York City. He was raised in Chicago by his aunt and uncle and later attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Ellison studied at the University of Illinois but left before completing his degree following the death of his adoptive mother. He subsequently attended the University of Chicago for a short period.
His early interest in mathematics, science and computer programming eventually led him to California, where he began working in the technology industry.
Early technology career
Before founding Oracle, Ellison worked for several technology companies in California. He gained experience in computer programming and database-related systems while working at companies including Ampex.
During his time at Ampex, Ellison worked on a project for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) that was internally known as Oracle. The name later influenced the name of the company he founded.
Ellison became interested in the relational database model described in a 1970 research paper by IBM researcher Edgar F. Codd. The concept provided the foundation for the database software that would become Oracle's primary early product.
Founding Oracle
In 1977, Ellison co-founded Software Development Laboratories with Bob Miner and Ed Oates. The company was established in Santa Clara, California, with a focus on software development and database technology.
The company later became Relational Software Inc. and was eventually renamed Oracle Corporation.
Oracle developed one of the early commercially successful relational database management systems. The company focused on making database software available to businesses that needed to store, organize and retrieve increasingly large volumes of information.
Ellison's leadership and Oracle's database technology helped establish the company as a major enterprise-software provider.
Oracle Database
Oracle's database products became the central foundation of the company's business.
The company's software was adopted by corporations, governments and other organizations for applications involving financial systems, customer information, supply chains, telecommunications and other enterprise workloads.
Oracle's database technology evolved over several decades as computing moved from mainframes and client-server systems toward distributed computing and cloud infrastructure.
The company subsequently expanded its database portfolio with technologies designed for automation, high availability, analytics, security and artificial intelligence workloads.
Expansion of Oracle
During Ellison's tenure as CEO, Oracle expanded substantially through internal development and acquisitions.
The company moved beyond database software into enterprise applications, middleware, hardware and cloud computing.
Major acquisitions included PeopleSoft, Siebel Systems, Sun Microsystems, NetSuite and Cerner. The acquisition of Sun Microsystems in 2010 also brought Java under Oracle's ownership and expanded Oracle's position in enterprise hardware and software.
Oracle later developed a large cloud-computing business, competing with companies including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.
Oracle and cloud computing
Ellison initially emphasized Oracle's traditional enterprise-software business but later became a major advocate for cloud computing.
Oracle developed Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and expanded its cloud database and application offerings.
The company's cloud strategy includes database services, enterprise applications, computing infrastructure, storage, networking and artificial intelligence capabilities.
Oracle has also developed autonomous database technologies designed to automate tasks such as patching, tuning, backup and security.
Leadership transition
Ellison stepped down as Oracle's Chief Executive Officer in September 2014 after more than three decades in the position.
He became Oracle's Executive Chairman and Chief Technology Officer. Safra Catz and Mark Hurd became Oracle's co-CEOs at that time.
Ellison continued to play an active role in Oracle's product strategy and technology direction, particularly in database systems, cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence.
In 2026, Oracle identifies Ellison as its Executive Chairman and Chief Technology Officer. ([oracle.com](https://www.oracle.com/corporate/executives/larry-ellison/))
Oracle and artificial intelligence
In the 2020s, Ellison increasingly focused on the role of artificial intelligence in enterprise computing.
Oracle has developed infrastructure designed to support large-scale AI workloads, including cloud computing resources, database technologies and networking systems.
Ellison has promoted the use of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure for training and operating large AI models. Oracle's AI strategy also includes integrating AI capabilities into enterprise applications and databases.
The company has increasingly positioned its cloud infrastructure as a platform for AI developers and businesses.
Oracle's current position
Oracle has grown substantially beyond the database business that originally defined the company.
The company provides cloud infrastructure, databases, enterprise applications, healthcare technology, analytics, cybersecurity and AI-related services.
Oracle's acquisition of Cerner in 2022 expanded the company into electronic health records and healthcare information systems.
The company continues to operate as one of the major enterprise technology providers globally.
Other business interests
Ellison has participated in business and technology ventures outside Oracle.
He has invested in technology, aviation, sports and other industries. He is also known for his interest in competitive sailing and has funded the Oracle Team USA sailing team.
Oracle Team USA won the America's Cup in 2010 and 2013. Ellison's involvement in competitive sailing became one of his most visible activities outside the technology industry.
Ellison has also been involved with professional tennis through his ownership of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and the BNP Paribas Open tournament in California.
Philanthropy
Ellison has supported medical research, education, environmental initiatives and other philanthropic activities.
He established the Lawrence J. Ellison Foundation, which has supported medical research and healthcare-related causes.
Ellison has also made substantial charitable donations to organizations working in areas including cancer research, education and public health.
In 2010, he signed the Giving Pledge, committing to give the majority of his wealth to philanthropic causes during his lifetime.
Recognition
Ellison has received several major technology and business honors.
In 2000, he received the Pacifico Award for his contributions to technology and entrepreneurship.
In 2001, he received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from the President of the United States for his leadership in developing and commercializing software based on the relational database model.
He has also received honorary degrees and recognition from academic and technology institutions.
Oracle's long-term development under Ellison's leadership has made him one of the most prominent figures in the history of enterprise software.
Personal interests
Ellison has maintained interests in sailing, aviation and tennis.
He has participated in competitive sailing and supported professional sailing teams through Oracle.
He is also a licensed pilot and has owned several aircraft.
His interest in sports and technology has resulted in investments and projects outside Oracle's core software business.
Personal life
Ellison has been married several times. He has two children, David Ellison and Megan Ellison, both of whom have established careers in the entertainment industry.
David Ellison is a film producer and founder of Skydance Media, while Megan Ellison founded Annapurna Pictures.
Legacy
Larry Ellison's career is closely connected with the development of commercial database technology and enterprise software.
The company he co-founded in 1977 grew from a small software venture into Oracle Corporation, a global technology company operating across databases, enterprise applications, cloud infrastructure, healthcare technology and artificial intelligence.
Ellison's continued involvement as Executive Chairman and Chief Technology Officer has allowed him to remain involved in Oracle's technology strategy after leaving the CEO position in 2014. ([oracle.com](https://www.oracle.com/middleeast/corporate/executives/larry-ellison/))
His career is also notable for the transformation of database technology from a specialized computing concept into a foundational component of modern enterprise information systems.
See also
- Oracle Corporation
- Oracle Database
- Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
- Cloud computing
- Relational database
- Bob Miner
- Ed Oates
- Database management system
- Enterprise software
- Artificial intelligence
- America's Cup
References
External links
- Biographies
- 1944 births
- Living people
- American entrepreneurs
- American business executives
- American technology executives
- American technology entrepreneurs
- Oracle Corporation
- Oracle founders
- Software company founders
- American billionaires
- American philanthropists
- National Medal of Technology recipients
- American technology pioneers
- People from New York City
- People from Chicago