Larry Ellison Dethrones Elon Musk as World’s Richest Person: Oracle Surge Propels Tech Titan to $393 Billion Fortune
In a stunning reversal of fortunes, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has surged past Elon Musk to claim the title of the world’s richest person, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The 81-year-old billionaire’s net worth skyrocketed by a record $101 billion in a single day, reaching $393 billion on September 10, 2025, eclipsing Musk’s $385 billion amid Tesla’s ongoing share slump.
This dramatic shift, driven by Oracle’s blockbuster earnings report, marks the first time Ellison has topped the global wealth rankings. It underscores the volatile nature of tech-driven fortunes and highlights the AI boom’s role in reshaping billionaire hierarchies.
The Catalyst: Oracle’s Earnings Bonanza
Ellison’s ascent came on the heels of Oracle’s fiscal first-quarter results announced after market close on September 9, 2025. The company reported revenue of $15.4 billion, surpassing analyst expectations by 5%, fueled by explosive growth in its cloud infrastructure segment. Oracle’s cloud revenue jumped 51% year-over-year, with total cloud services and license support up 14% to $11.7 billion.
The standout performer was Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), which saw demand soar due to partnerships with AI leaders like OpenAI and xAI. Ellison, who owns about 42% of Oracle’s shares, benefited immensely as the stock rocketed 41% in after-hours trading on September 10, closing at a new all-time high of $182.50 per share. This one-day gain alone added $101 billion to his wealth—the largest single-day increase ever recorded by Bloomberg.
Oracle’s optimistic guidance further boosted investor confidence. The company projected second-quarter revenue of $16.8 billion and emphasized its pivot to AI and multicloud services, positioning it as a key player in the $500 billion cloud market. CEO Safra Catz credited “unprecedented demand for generative AI” for the results, noting OCI’s capacity expansions to meet hyperscaler needs.
This performance extends a stellar year for Oracle, with shares up 45% in 2025, outpacing the S&P 500’s 18% gain. Ellison’s stake, valued at over $165 billion, now dominates his portfolio, supplemented by real estate holdings like his Hawaiian island Lanai and stakes in ventures like Salesforce.
Elon Musk’s Slip: Tesla’s Struggles Weigh Heavy
Elon Musk, the 54-year-old CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, held the richest-person spot for over 300 days since reclaiming it in mid-2024. His fortune peaked at $421 billion in July 2025 but has eroded amid Tesla’s 13% year-to-date stock decline. Tesla shares closed at $218 on September 10, down 2% for the day, pressured by softening EV demand, increased competition from Chinese rivals like BYD, and regulatory hurdles for autonomous driving tech.
Musk’s wealth, tied heavily to Tesla (about 13% ownership) and SpaceX (valued at $210 billion privately), now stands at $385 billion. Recent setbacks include a U.S. Department of Justice probe into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software and delays in Cybertruck production. Despite this, Musk’s proposed $56 billion Tesla pay package—approved by shareholders in June 2025 but under Delaware court review—could add billions if finalized.
Musk has traded the top spot multiple times with Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and LVMH’s Bernard Arnault. Analysts speculate a SpaceX IPO or Starship successes could propel him toward trillionaire status, but for now, Tesla’s volatility has cost him the crown. Musk, ever the provocateur, posted on X on September 10: “Wealth is a game of volatility—back to building rockets! 🚀” The tweet garnered over 1.2 million likes.
Background: A History of Tech Billionaire Musical Chairs
Larry Ellison co-founded Oracle in 1977, transforming it from a database software pioneer into a cloud computing powerhouse. At 81, he’s Oracle’s chairman and CTO, steering its AI strategy with investments in data centers and partnerships. Ellison’s low-profile style contrasts with Musk’s flamboyance; he’s known for philanthropy via the Larry Ellison Foundation, focusing on medical research, and owns 98% of Lanai, Hawaii’s “Pineapple Island.”
The duo’s rivalry isn’t new. Both are AI evangelists—Ellison backs Oracle’s AI cloud, while Musk’s xAI competes directly. This wealth swap reflects broader market trends: AI hype has lifted Oracle and Nvidia, while EV slowdowns hit Tesla. Forbes’ real-time billionaires list, updated September 11, 2025, confirms Ellison at No. 1, followed by Musk, Bezos ($192 billion), and Zuckerberg ($206 billion).
Previous shifts include Musk overtaking Bezos in 2021 amid Tesla’s boom and Arnault briefly leading in 2023 via luxury goods. Bloomberg tracks daily fluctuations, noting tech now accounts for 40% of the top 10 fortunes, up from 25% in 2020.
Market Reactions and Expert Insights
Wall Street reacted swiftly. Oracle’s surge added $120 billion to its market cap, pushing it past $500 billion for the first time. Analysts at Goldman Sachs upgraded Oracle to “Buy,” citing “AI tailwinds that could sustain 20%+ growth.” Piper Sandler called it “a watershed moment for enterprise AI,” projecting Ellison’s wealth could hit $500 billion by year-end if trends hold.
Experts weigh in on the implications. “This isn’t just about Ellison; it’s the cloud-AI divide widening,” says Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives. “Musk’s diversified empire gives him resilience, but Tesla’s execution risks are real.” Forbes contributor Kate Vinton notes, “Ellison’s steady climb shows the power of enterprise software in the AI era, while Musk’s volatility mirrors his bold bets.”
Public sentiment on X exploded, with #EllisonRichest trending globally. Posts ranged from congratulations—”Larry who? The quiet billionaire just schooled Elon!”—to memes pitting the two tech icons. TMZ highlighted the pop culture angle, while financial influencers debated if this signals a shift from consumer tech (Tesla) to B2B (Oracle).
Why This Matters for American Investors and the Economy
For U.S. readers, this billionaire shuffle has tangible ripple effects. Oracle’s rally boosts retirement accounts heavy in tech stocks; the S&P 500 gained 1.2% on September 10, partly on Oracle’s lift. With 70 million Americans invested in 401(k)s tied to indices, such surges enhance nest eggs—Oracle’s performance could add $50 billion in collective value.
Economically, it spotlights the AI boom’s $200 billion U.S. market, creating jobs in data centers (Oracle plans 20 new ones by 2026) and fueling GDP growth. Ellison’s win underscores enterprise AI’s stability versus Musk’s high-risk ventures, influencing investor strategies amid Fed rate cuts.
Lifestyle-wise, it glamorizes tech ambition, inspiring entrepreneurs. Politically, both billionaires wield influence—Musk via Trump ties and xAI’s government contracts; Ellison through donations to medical causes. Sports fans note Ellison’s sailing passion, owning the America’s Cup-winning Oracle Team USA.
In tech, it accelerates AI adoption; Oracle’s tools power everything from healthcare diagnostics to Wall Street trading, benefiting everyday users via faster cloud services.
Looking Ahead: Volatility in the Trillion-Dollar Race
Larry Ellison’s dethroning of Elon Musk cements his status as the world’s richest at $393 billion, but billionaire rankings remain fluid. With Oracle’s AI momentum and Tesla’s potential rebound—via Robotaxi events or China expansions—this lead could flip quickly. Analysts predict Musk reclaiming the top by Q4 2025 if Tesla delivers, while Ellison eyes $400 billion soon.
This event celebrates tech innovation’s rewards, reminding us wealth creation drives progress. As AI reshapes industries, watch these titans—they’re not just rich; they’re architecting our future.