Larry Ellison Overtakes Elon Musk: What Makes Him the Richest Now

Imagine putting everything you’ve built at the top of your field — then suddenly, one big breakthrough pushes you ahead of everyone else. That’s what just happened to Larry Ellison. Once again, the Oracle co-founder has briefly passed Elon Musk to become the richest person in the world, thanks to a massive jump in his company’s value. But this isn’t just about who’s #1. It tells us a lot about tech, AI, markets… and the risks in extreme wealth.

What Happened: How Ellison Took the Top Spot

• On September 10, 2025, Oracle’s stock surged after a strong earnings report and future revenue bookings, especially tied to its AI and cloud infrastructure business. According to Bloomberg, this jump added over $100 billion to Ellison’s net worth — pushing him past Elon Musk briefly. Financial Times
• His wealth was estimated to be about US$393–$401 billion at that point, depending on how analysts measure private holdings, future contracts, and market valuation. Visual Capitalist
• However, it seems Musk reclaimed the top spot soon after, as markets fluctuate and Oracle’s stock cooled off slightly. AP News

Why Supporters View This as a Win

• Strategic Positioning in AI

  Oracle has secured large contracts and has become a backbone for AI infrastructure, which many agree is where the next big value in tech lies. Ellison’s foresight in investing in cloud computing and aligning with AI demand is seen as smart.

• Long-Term Wealth Building

  Ellison has owned a large stake in Oracle for decades. Supporters say this rise isn’t a lucky day but the result of consistent investment and reinvention (transitioning from traditional database software to cloud + AI). They argue it shows how staying relevant can reward even older companies. 

• Market Confidence

  The jump in Oracle’s performance is also attributed to investors' confidence in its future revenue streams. Especially contracts or “future obligations” that Oracle disclosed. That boosts trust and draws more investment.

What Critics and Sceptics Warn About

• Volatility & Temporary Gains 

  Critics point out that wealth rankings at this level shift very fast. A stock surge one day can reverse quickly. Passing someone like Musk may be more symbolic than lasting. Some argue the top spot may bounce back and forth. 

• Dependence On Market Sentiment

  Ellison’s fortune is heavily tied to Oracle’s stock value and future contract promises. If those contracts fall short, or if AI hype cools, his net worth could suffer. Also, measuring future obligations is tricky — what’s promised vs what’s delivered? 

• Wealth Inequality & Broader Questions

  Some critics use this as an opportunity to question the role of billionaire wealth in society. Why does so much wealth accumulate in a single individual? What responsibilities come with being that rich? There are debates over tax policy, philanthropy, governance, and what such enormous resources should be used for.

Broader Impacts: Tech, Economy, Society

• Companies involved in AI and cloud infrastructure will gain more investor attention. Ellison’s success could encourage more competition, more investment, perhaps even more innovation.
• For Elon Musk and others, this kind of competition adds pressure — both to grow and to maintain existing strengths.
• On the societal level, headlines like “richest man” can fuel conversations about wealth accumulation, how value is created, and whether economic systems fairly reward creators, innovators, labour, etc.

Conclusion