History of Larry Ellison in Timeline

Lawrence Joseph Ellison is an American businessman and entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder of Oracle Corporation. He served as Oracle's CEO from 1977 to 2014 and currently holds the positions of chief technology officer and executive chairman. As of October 2025, he is a centibillionaire and one of the wealthiest individuals globally, demonstrating his significant impact on the technology industry and the business world.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1992: Bicycle Accident and Donation

In 1992, Larry Ellison shattered his elbow in a bicycle crash. Following treatment at University of California, Davis, Ellison donated $5 million to seed the Lawrence J. Ellison Musculo-Skeletal Research Center.

1995: America's Cup Returned to American Shores

Larry Ellison's victory in the 2010 America's cup meant the Cup returned to American shores for the first time since 1995.

1997: Golden Plate Award

In 1997, Larry Ellison received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.

1998: Opening of Lawrence J. Ellison Ambulatory Care Center

In 1998, the Lawrence J. Ellison Ambulatory Care Center opened on the Sacramento campus of the UC Davis Medical Center.

January 2000: Lawsuit over Airport Rule Interpretation

In January 2000, Larry Ellison sued the city of San Jose over the interpretation of airport rules regarding late-night takeoffs and landings, contending his Gulfstream V aircraft met weight requirements.

June 2001: Favorable Ruling in Airport Lawsuit

In June 2001, US District Judge Jeremy Fogel ruled in Ellison's favor in the airport lawsuit, calling for a waiver for Ellison's jet but not invalidating the curfew.

2001: Insider Trading Lawsuit and September 11 Software Offer

In 2001, Larry Ellison settled an insider trading lawsuit by donating $100 million to his foundation. He also made a controversial offer to donate software for a national identification database following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

2002: Introduction of Kite Yachting to America's Cup

In 2002, Larry Ellison's Oracle team introduced kite yachting into the America's Cup environment, achieving kite sail flying for about thirty minutes during testing in New Zealand.

2003: Founding of BMW Oracle Racing

In 2003, following success racing Maxi yachts, Larry Ellison founded BMW Oracle Racing to compete for the Louis Vuitton Cup.

2004: Charitable Donations Listed by Forbes

In 2004, Forbes listed Larry Ellison's charitable donations as $151,092,103, about 1% of his personal wealth.

2004: Malibu Property Purchases

In 2004, Larry Ellison purchased more than 12 properties in Malibu, California, worth more than $180 million.

2005: Record-Breaking Malibu Transaction

In 2005, Ellison's $65 million purchase of five contiguous lots at Malibu's Carbon Beach became the most costly residential transaction in U.S. history at that time.

June 2006: Withdrawal of Harvard Pledge

In June 2006, Larry Ellison announced he would not honor his earlier pledge of $115 million to Harvard University due to the departure of former president Lawrence Summers.

2007: BMW Oracle Racing in America's Cup

In 2007, BMW Oracle Racing, representing the Golden Gate Yacht Club, participated in the America's Cup in Valencia but was eliminated in the semi-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

2007: Donation to Sderot Community Centre

In 2007, Larry Ellison pledged $500,000 to fortify a community centre in Sderot, Israel, against rocket attacks.

2009: Purchase of Indian Wells Tennis Garden

In 2009, Larry Ellison purchased the Indian Wells Tennis Garden tennis facility and the Indian Wells Masters tournament in California's Coachella Valley for $100 million.

February 14, 2010: America's Cup Victory

On February 14, 2010, Larry Ellison's yacht USA 17 won the second race of the 33rd America's Cup, securing a historic victory for his BMW Oracle team.

February 2010: America's Cup Races Held

In February 2010, the America's Cup races, which Larry Ellison had legally challenged, were finally held in Valencia.

August 2010: Signing of The Giving Pledge

In August 2010, Larry Ellison was listed as one of the 40 billionaires who had signed "The Giving Pledge".

2010: Sale of Rising Sun Yacht

Due to the economic downturn of 2010, Larry Ellison sold his share of Rising Sun, a large yacht, to David Geffen and downsized to Musashi, another yacht built by Feadship.

2010: Cameo in Iron Man 2

In 2010, Larry Ellison made a brief cameo appearance in the movie Iron Man 2.

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2010: Purchase of BNP Paribas Open Share

In 2010, Larry Ellison purchased a 50% share of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament.

2010: Purchase of Beechwood Mansion

In early 2010, Larry Ellison purchased the Astors' Beechwood Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, for $10.5 million.

2011: Acquisition of Porcupine Creek Estate

In 2011, Larry Ellison purchased the 249-acre Porcupine Creek Estate and private golf course in Rancho Mirage, California, for $42.9 million.

July 2013: Opening of Nikita Restaurant

In July 2013, Larry Ellison opened a restaurant named Nikita in Malibu.

September 25, 2013: America's Cup Victory

On September 25, 2013, Larry Ellison's Oracle Team USA defeated Emirates Team New Zealand to win the 34th America's Cup in San Francisco Bay, overcoming a significant point deficit.

2013: Induction into Bay Area Business Hall of Fame

In 2013, Larry Ellison was inducted into the Bay Area Business Hall of Fame.

December 2014: Closure of Nikita Restaurant

In December 2014, Larry Ellison's restaurant Nikita in Malibu closed.

2014: Donation to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces

In 2014, Larry Ellison made a $10 million donation to the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.

May 2016: Donation to USC for Cancer Research Center

In May 2016, Larry Ellison donated $200 million to the University of Southern California to establish a cancer research center, named the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine of USC.

2017: Donation to Israel Defense Forces

In 2017, Larry Ellison donated $16.6 million to the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces to support the construction of well-being facilities on a new campus for co-ed conscripts.

2017: Funding of Sensei Ag

In 2017, Larry Ellison funded a farming company called Sensei Ag, aiming to use AI, robotics, and software to revolutionize global food production.

2019: Launch of SailGP Racing Series

In 2019, Larry Ellison, with Russell Coutts, launched the SailGP international racing series, using F50 foiling catamarans and committing to five years of funding.

2019: Rebels With A Cause Award

In 2019, the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine of USC honored Larry Ellison with the first Rebels With A Cause Award for his support.

December 2020: Move to Lānaʻi Island

In December 2020, Larry Ellison left California and moved to the island of Lānaʻi, where he owns 98 percent of the land.

2021: Investment in Tony Blair Institute

Between 2021 and 2023, Larry Ellison invested $130 million in the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and has pledged a further $218 million since then.

August 2022: Maui County Warns Lānaʻi Resorts

In August 2022, Maui County warned Ellison’s Lānaʻi Resorts not to block public access to Hulopoʻe Beach Park; however, the park gate was closed, leading to disputes over the reason and duration of the closure.

2022: Purchase of Manalapan Property

In 2022, Ellison bought a 22-acre property in Manalapan, Florida, for $173 million, making it the most expensive residential property purchase in Florida history.

2023: Donations to Tony Blair Institute

In 2023, Larry Ellison's foundation donated over £52 million to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and promised another $218 million.

2023: Establishment of Oxford Campus

In 2023, an additional campus of the Ellison Institute of Technology was established in Oxford, intending to provide a scholarship program for 20 students each year.

2023: Lānaʻi Water Company Rate Increase

In 2023, the Ellison-owned Lānaʻi Water Company proposed a significant multi-year rate increase, citing infrastructure and operating costs, raising concerns about affordability among some customers.

2024: Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2024, Larry Ellison was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.

February 2025: Criticism of Sensei Ag

In February 2025, a Wall Street Journal report criticized Larry Ellison's farming company, Sensei Ag, for not fulfilling its promise due to poor technology choices, leadership, and lack of expertise.