Most people slow down after 80. Larry Ellison did the opposite.
At an age when most retirees are enjoying quiet mornings, Ellison briefly became the richest man on Earth, beating out Elon Musk. He’s also building a media empire with his son. So exactly how old is this tech billionaire, and how has he managed to stay this active? Let’s break it down.
How Old Is Larry Ellison Right Now?
Larry Ellison was born Lawrence Joseph Ellison on August 17, 1944, in the Bronx, New York. That makes him 82 years old as of 2026.
He was born to a single, 19-year-old mother named Florence Spellman. When Ellison was just nine months old, he caught pneumonia. His mother couldn’t care for him during his recovery, so she sent him to Chicago to live with her aunt and uncle, Lillian and Louis Ellison. They later adopted him.
Ellison is a Leo, which fans of astrology often point to when explaining his bold, competitive personality. Whether or not you buy into star signs, there’s no denying Ellison has lived one of the most eventful lives in tech history.
Larry Ellison’s Age Timeline: Key Milestones
Understanding Ellison’s age is more interesting when you look at what he was doing at each stage of his life. Here’s a quick timeline:
- Age 9 months — Sent to live with relatives in Chicago after a childhood illness.
- Age 19-22 — Attended the University of Illinois and later the University of Chicago, dropping out of both. He briefly studied physics before discovering computers.
- Age 22 — Moved to California, right as the tech industry was starting to take shape in what would become Silicon Valley.
- Age 33 — Co-founded Software Development Laboratories in 1977 with Bob Miner and Ed Oates. The company started with just $2,000, most of it out of Ellison’s own pocket. That company eventually became Oracle.
- Age 49 — Forbes officially listed Ellison as a billionaire for the first time in 1993.
- Age 70 — Stepped down as Oracle’s CEO in 2014 after 37 years at the helm, transitioning to executive chairman and chief technology officer.
- Age 81 — In September 2025, a rise in Oracle’s stock price briefly pushed Ellison past Elon Musk to become the richest person in the world, with his net worth estimated near $400 billion. He became only the second person in history to cross that threshold.
- Age 82 — Now expanding his family’s influence into media, backing his son David Ellison’s Skydance deal to acquire Paramount Global, which also brought CBS into the fold.
- Seeing his life laid out this way makes one thing obvious: Ellison’s biggest wins haven’t slowed down with age. If anything, they’ve picked up speed.
Larry Ellison vs. Other Tech Billionaires: How Does His Age Compare?
Ellison isn’t the only tech titan people are curious about. Here’s how his age stacks up against other well-known billionaires:
- Larry Ellison — 82 years old, Oracle co-founder
- Bill Gates — 70 years old, Microsoft co-founder
- Elon Musk — 54 years old, Tesla and SpaceX CEO
- Jeff Bezos — 61 years old, Amazon founder
- Mark Zuckerberg — 42 years old, Meta CEO
What’s notable here is that Ellison is significantly older than most of his billionaire peers, yet he’s still one of the most active. While younger billionaires like Musk and Zuckerberg dominate headlines with new ventures, Ellison quietly built one of the most consistent fortunes in tech history, and he’s still adding to it in his eighties.
What Is Larry Ellison Doing at 82? He’s Not Slowing Down
A lot of people assume that once you’re in your eighties, you step back. Ellison hasn’t gotten that memo.
He still holds a 41% stake in Oracle and remains active as the company’s chief technology officer. Beyond Oracle, he’s now playing a growing role in the media world. His son David runs Paramount Skydance, and Larry’s financial backing was central to making that deal happen. Reports suggest the Ellison family’s influence could soon extend to CBS News and potentially even further, depending on how ongoing media deals play out.
Outside of business, Ellison has long been known for his love of sailing, competitive yacht racing, and flying planes. He’s also made headlines over the years for buying large real estate, including most of the Hawaiian island of Lanai.
At 82, most people are focused on rest. Ellison seems more focused on his next deal.
Larry Ellison’s Net Worth as He’s Gotten Older
Ellison’s net worth has grown dramatically as he’s aged, and it hasn’t been a slow, steady climb. It’s had major spikes.
- In the 1990s, he first appeared on Forbes’ billionaire list.
- By the early 2000s, he was consistently ranked among the top 10 to 20 wealthiest people in the world.
- By his mid-70s, his fortune was estimated in the tens of billions.
- At 81, in September 2025, his net worth spiked to an estimated $383 billion (Bloomberg) to $400 billion, briefly making him the richest person alive.
That kind of wealth growth late in life is rare. Most billionaires who reach that level do it decades earlier. Ellison’s surge came from Oracle’s stock performance tied to the company’s growing role in AI and cloud computing, proving that even in his eighties, his business decisions from decades ago are still paying off in massive ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Larry Ellison in 2026?
Larry Ellison is 82 years old. He was born on August 17, 1944.
What is Larry Ellison’s zodiac sign?
Ellison is a Leo, based on his August 17 birthday.
Is Larry Ellison older than Elon Musk?
Yes. Ellison, born in 1944, is significantly older than Musk, who was born in 1971. That’s a gap of about 27 years.
How old was Larry Ellison when he founded Oracle?
Ellison was 33 years old when he co-founded Software Development Laboratories in 1977, which later became Oracle.
How old are Larry Ellison’s children?
His son, David Ellison, was born in 1983, making him 43. His daughter, Megan Ellison, is also an adult and works as a film producer.
Did Larry Ellison ever become the richest person in the world?
Yes, briefly. In September 2025, at age 81, he passed Elon Musk for a short period before falling back to second place.
The Takeaway
Larry Ellison’s age tells a story that goes beyond a number. At 82, he’s still deeply involved in running Oracle, still expanding his influence through his son’s media ventures, and still capable of briefly becoming the richest man alive. His life proves that age doesn’t have to mean slowing down, especially when you’ve spent decades building something that keeps paying off.
Whether you’re curious about his birthday, his path to billions, or how he compares to younger tech leaders, one thing is clear: Larry Ellison isn’t done yet.
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