Larry Ellison Surges Past Jeff Bezos as World’s 2nd Richest with $26B Gain

Larry Ellison Takes Over as World’s Second Richest Person

In a striking shift in the global wealth rankings, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has eclipsed Amazon’s Jeff Bezos to become the world’s second-richest individual. This change follows a dramatic $26 billion boost to Ellison’s net worth in a single day, propelled by Oracle’s impressive earnings report.

Ellison’s Net Worth Hits $243 Billion

As of June 12, Larry Ellison’s fortune soared to $243 billion, surpassing Jeff Bezos’ $227 billion and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s $239 billion. The surge marked the largest one-day wealth increase for any billionaire on record. Oracle’s stock price climbed above $200 for the first time ever after the company posted quarterly revenues and profits that shattered expectations.

Elon Musk Remains Unchallenged at No. 1

Despite the reshuffling below him, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk continues to hold the top spot with an estimated net worth of $407.3 billion. Earlier this week, Musk’s wealth ticked up by $191 million, hitting $411.4 billion amid reports of a softened public stance toward former President Donald Trump following a brief phone conversation.

Tracing Jeff Bezos’ Journey in the Billionaires’ League

Jeff Bezos first claimed the title of the world’s second-richest person back in 2017, shortly after his net worth surged to $75.6 billion with a rise in Amazon’s stock value. At that time, he surpassed veteran investor Warren Buffett to secure his place near the apex of global wealth.

More recently, Bezos lost the second-place ranking to Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg in October 2024. Zuckerberg’s net worth jumped by $78 billion to $206.2 billion, overtaking Bezos, whose net worth stood at $205.1 billion.

Elon Musk’s Public Feud and Financial Moves

Musk’s recent $191 million increase followed a rare public apology on social media after a contentious exchange with Donald Trump. The dispute ignited when Musk criticized a Trump-supported bill as “The Big Ugly Bill” following his step down from a government advisory role. The clash escalated with a series of harsh posts from Musk, some of which he later removed.

This friction appeared to cool somewhat after a phone call, with Musk’s apology sparking speculation of reconciliation between the two prominent figures.

What This Means for the Billionaires’ Landscape

Larry Ellison’s ascension underlines the growing influence and profitability of the tech and cloud sectors, with Oracle’s strong quarterly performance driving investor confidence. Meanwhile, the shifting fortunes of Bezos and Zuckerberg highlight the volatility and rapid changes within the tech giant universe.