Oracle co-founder and tech magnate Larry Ellison, now the world’s second-richest person with an estimated fortune of $373 billion, has once again renewed his pledge to give away 95% of his wealth to philanthropy. The 81-year-old billionaire has made headlines not only for his extraordinary financial gains in 2025 but also for his unique approach to global giving.
Ellison’s net worth has skyrocketed this year, driven primarily by Oracle’s booming role in artificial intelligence infrastructure. With Tesla’s Elon Musk being the only individual ahead of him in global wealth rankings, Ellison’s fortune adds weight to his decade-long commitment to make one of the largest philanthropic contributions in history.
AI Boom Propels Larry Ellison’s Wealth
The lion’s share of Ellison’s wealth comes from his 41% ownership in Oracle. The company’s stock has experienced a staggering 97% growth in 2025 alone, fueled by the worldwide race to adopt cutting-edge AI technologies and infrastructure solutions.
In the most recent quarter, Oracle reported a massive surge in demand, with its contract backlog climbing more than 350% year-over-year to $455 billion. Much of this growth comes from partnerships with leading players in the AI space such as OpenAI, cementing Oracle’s reputation as a backbone provider of artificial intelligence computing.
This upward trajectory has added nearly $195 billion to Larry Ellison’s personal fortune this year alone, a figure that makes him wealthier than some of the largest global banks, including Bank of America, which has a market capitalization close to $385 billion. In just three years, Ellison’s net worth has multiplied fivefold, reflecting Oracle’s leap from under $70 per share to above $320.
Philanthropy on His Own Terms
Larry Ellison is no stranger to philanthropy. In 2010, he signed the Giving Pledge, a campaign initiated by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, vowing to donate the bulk of his wealth. However, Larry Ellison has taken a distinctive path, setting up his own vehicles for giving instead of funding existing nonprofit organizations.
At the heart of his strategy is the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), an Oxford University–based for-profit institute that aims to tackle some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. EIT’s research focuses on healthcare, food security, climate change, and advanced AI applications, blending philanthropy with science-driven innovation.
The institute is preparing to inaugurate a $1.3 billion campus at Oxford by 2027, a signal of Larry Ellison’s massive commitment to advancing science and technology through private philanthropy.
Leadership Challenges at the Institute
Despite its ambitious vision, the Ellison Institute has faced internal hurdles. In 2024, scientist John Bell was briefly appointed to lead research efforts, but his tenure lasted only two weeks after he described the project as “very challenging.” Reports indicate tensions within the organization about how best to commercialize research outputs and manage Ellison’s financial contributions effectively.
Even so, Ellison remains steadfast in his pledge. His past donations already highlight his philanthropic footprint, including $200 million to the University of Southern California for a cancer research facility and nearly $1 billion directed to the now-closed Ellison Medical Foundation, which focused on aging-related research.
A Billionaire’s Vision for Global Impact
Larry Ellison’s long-standing philosophy is built on controlling not just the capital but also the strategic direction of his philanthropic endeavors. Rather than simply writing checks to charities, he envisions transforming industries through innovation and targeted research.
By reaffirming his promise to donate 95% of his immense fortune, Ellison signals that his AI-fueled wealth growth is as much about shaping the future of humanity as it is about corporate success. His approach may deviate from traditional charity models, but it positions him as one of the most ambitious philanthropists in the modern era.
As the AI boom continues to reshape economies worldwide, Ellison stands at the crossroads of technology, wealth, and philanthropy, determined to leave behind a legacy that extends far beyond Oracle’s balance sheets.