Larry Ellison Challenges Elon Musk for World’s Richest Title Amid Oracle’s AI Boom

Oracle’s Meteoric Rise in the AI Era

Elon Musk’s reign as the world’s wealthiest person is now under threat from Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison. Following Oracle’s impressive earnings forecast and massive artificial intelligence (AI) contracts, Ellison’s fortune surged by nearly $95 billion in a single day.

According to Forbes’ real-time billionaire index, Ellison’s net worth has climbed close to $390 billion, compared to Musk’s approximately $436 billion. Meanwhile, Bloomberg’s wealth ranking briefly placed Ellison ahead of Musk, highlighting how differing asset valuations create shifting positions at the very top.

Ellison’s Bet on AI and OpenAI Partnership

Oracle’s newfound momentum is largely fueled by an ambitious multi-year deal with OpenAI, estimated at nearly $300 billion in computing power purchases. This agreement positions Oracle as a central player in the growing AI infrastructure race.

Safra Catz, Oracle’s CEO, called the quarter “astonishing,” pointing to four multi-billion-dollar contracts that will transform Oracle’s cloud revenues. The company projects growth from $18 billion this fiscal year to more than $144 billion in the coming years.

Ellison sees Oracle at the forefront of “AI inferencing,” a field expected to revolutionize industries by automating processes in law, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Musk’s Wealth Tied to Tesla’s Struggles

While Ellison’s wealth has skyrocketed, Musk faces setbacks with Tesla. Shares of the electric vehicle giant have declined in 2025, partly due to slowing sales and Musk’s controversial political stances.

Tesla recently proposed a compensation package for Musk worth over $1 trillion through 2035, contingent on hitting ambitious performance goals. Shareholders are expected to vote on this plan later in the year.

Friends and Rivals at the Top

Despite competing for the top spot, Musk and Ellison share a strong friendship. Ellison invested more than $1 billion in Musk’s Twitter acquisition and previously served on Tesla’s board. Their intertwined business interests now contrast with their diverging fortunes.

At 81, Ellison continues to shape the tech industry he entered in 1977 when he founded Oracle. From competing with Microsoft and IBM to investing in sailing and tennis, Ellison’s influence extends far beyond Silicon Valley.

What the Billionaire Shift Means

The rivalry between Musk and Ellison reflects broader shifts in the global economy, where AI-driven innovation is reshaping industries and fortunes. Oracle’s bold bet on AI may prove risky, but it underscores how the next wave of technological disruption is creating new leaders in wealth and influence.