I recently came across an interesting story that vividly illustrates how tech giants are rewriting the rules of the game. In September of last year, an event occurred that many missed amid the overall buzz around AI. Larry Ellison, the 81-year-old founder of Oracle, suddenly took the top spot on the list of the world's wealthiest people. In just one day, his net worth jumped by over $100 billion — Oracle's stock soared 40% after announcing contracts with OpenAI and other major players in the AI industry.

What struck me most was the trajectory of his career. The guy grew up in a modest family, didn't even graduate from college, but managed to see the commercial potential in database technologies when it was far from obvious. In 1977, Ellison invested $1,200 along with two colleagues and created what later became Oracle. The company went through ups and downs, especially as cloud computing began to dominate, but here's the paradox — it was during the AI era that it found new life.

It seems to me this is a classic example of how old players don't disappear but transform. Oracle was slower than AWS and Azure in cloud services, but its advantage in working with enterprise data and infrastructure proved crucial right now, as everyone searches for power to train large language models. In summer 2025, the company even underwent restructuring, cutting excess staff and shifting focus to AI infrastructure.

According to him, he has always preferred solitude and independence in decision-making. This is evident not only in business but in everything else. Larry Ellison owns an entire island in Hawaii, enjoys sailing and tennis, and at 81 looks 20 years younger thanks to strict discipline and a healthy lifestyle. His personal life has also been eventful — several marriages, the latest in 2024 with a woman 47 years his junior.

But the most interesting part is how he is expanding his influence not only in technology. His son David recently acquired Paramount Global, spending $8 billion, with $6 billion coming from the family. The father controls Silicon Valley through Oracle, while the son is now in Hollywood. At the same time, Ellison is actively involved in politics, funding election campaigns, and recently appeared at the White House with the CEO of OpenAI and SoftBank to announce a $500 billion AI infrastructure project.

It's fascinating to see how, at 81, a person not only remains relevant but becomes even more influential. When everyone said Oracle was a company of the past, Larry Ellison made his move and found himself at the center of the hottest trend of the era. He promised to donate 95% of his wealth to charity, but does so in his own way — quietly, investing in medical research, agriculture, and clean energy through his own institute with Oxford. A typical portrait of someone who never follows the crowd.