Global

Larry Ellison

Oracle · New York / Chicago, USA

Adopted, dropped out of two universities, broke and divorced at 32. Built the database that runs banks, airlines, governments — and a personal brand built on yacht racing and combat tactics.

AggressionSales-drivenLong-horizon ambition

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Company

Oracle

Journey

Moves that mattered.

1977
Founded Software Development Laboratories with $1,200 of his own money.
1979
Released Oracle V2 — world's first commercial SQL database.
1986
Oracle IPO one day before Microsoft's — almost overshadowed.
2014
Stepped down as CEO; remains CTO and chairman. Bought 98% of Lanai island.

Struggles

Oracle nearly went bankrupt in 1990 after aggressive accounting. He survived by personally rewriting sales contracts.

Family

Married and divorced four times. Two children, David (filmmaker) and Megan (philanthropist).

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The full story

Larry Ellison, in 1 chapters.

Ch 01
The story
Adopted, dropped out of two universities, broke and divorced at 32. Built the database that runs banks, airlines, governments — and a personal brand built on yacht racing and combat tactics.

Sources & further reading