Larry Ellison (b. 1944) is an American entrepreneur and businessman who co-founded Oracle Corporation, one of the world's largest enterprise software companies, and pioneered its commercial relational database technology. [1] Ranking for decades among the wealthiest people in the world, he led Oracle as chief executive from its founding until 2014 and has continued to serve as its executive chairman and chief technology officer. [2]
Early life and education
Lawrence Joseph Ellison was born on August 17, 1944, in the Bronx, New York City, and was raised from an early age by relatives in Chicago. He attended South Shore High School before enrolling at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and later the University of Chicago, leaving both institutions without completing a degree. [3] He moved to California in the late 1960s, where he worked in computer programming.
Founding of Oracle
In 1977, Ellison co-founded Software Development Laboratories with Bob Miner and Ed Oates. The company drew on research into the relational database model, and the founders developed a commercial database management system they named Oracle. [1] The firm was subsequently renamed Oracle Systems Corporation and eventually Oracle Corporation, taking its identity from its flagship product.
Building Oracle
Under Ellison's leadership, Oracle grew into a dominant supplier of database software and later expanded into a broad range of enterprise applications and cloud services. The company pursued growth through a series of major acquisitions, absorbing firms such as PeopleSoft, Siebel Systems, and Sun Microsystems. [2] Ellison became known for his aggressive competitive approach and public rivalries with other technology leaders. He stepped down as chief executive in 2014, transitioning to the roles of executive chairman and chief technology officer while remaining central to the company's strategic direction. [2]
Other ventures and interests
Beyond Oracle, Ellison became widely known as a sailing enthusiast, backing the team that won the America's Cup in 2010 and 2013. [1] In 2012 he acquired most of the Hawaiian island of Lanai, and he later served for a period on the board of directors of the automaker Tesla. A licensed aircraft pilot, he has also been a significant philanthropist, directing substantial funding toward medical research and education.
Legacy
Ellison is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of the software industry, having helped make relational databases a foundation of modern business computing. [4] His accumulated wealth, built largely on his Oracle holdings, has placed him consistently among the richest individuals globally.
