Tech’s Most Powerful Dynasties: How Larry and David Ellison Amassed Their Fortune
Larry and David Ellison have influence that reaches across Silicon Valley, Hollywood, Washington, and beyond. Larry’s rise began in enterprise software, but his recent dominance in AI infrastructure has redefined Oracle’s legacy. His son, David, moved into media and gained control of some of the most recognized entertainment and news brands in the country.
Their financial success is substantial, but their calculated positioning across tech, politics, and media tells a more complex story.
Oracle’s AI Expansion Changed Larry Ellison’s Position in Tech
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Oracle PR
Larry Ellison co-founded Oracle in 1977 and remained deeply involved in its growth. Oracle initially gained traction by commercializing relational database software built with SQL. Over the decades, Ellison guided the company through several tactical acquisitions, including PeopleSoft, BEA Systems, and Sun Microsystems. These moves strengthened the company’s reach in enterprise software and database management.
When cloud computing began to reshape the tech sector, Oracle was slow to respond, but Ellison directed billions of dollars toward rebuilding Oracle’s infrastructure to compete. The change paid off when the corporation secured a major multi-year deal with OpenAI to provide hyperscale AI infrastructure.
The partnership, reportedly valued at around $300 billion, turned Oracle into a major player in the AI economy. Ellison’s financial stake—about 40%—helped push his net worth to $370 billion, and briefly placed him at the top of the global wealth rankings in 2025. His strategic decisions around AI and infrastructure placed Oracle in direct competition with companies like Amazon and Microsoft.
Political Backing Strengthened Oracle’s Reach into Government Deals
Image via Wikimedia Commons/The White House
Ellison’s growing political ties enhanced Oracle’s standing in government and national tech strategy. He supported Senator Marco Rubio’s 2016 presidential campaign and later backed Senator Tim Scott with tens of millions in 2024. Though he did not donate directly to Donald Trump’s campaign, Ellison hosted a fundraiser for him in 2020 and later appeared alongside him at the White House during Trump’s second presidency.
In 2025, Trump, Ellison, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son jointly announced Stargate, a government-backed AI infrastructure project. These developments aligned with the company’s extended role in federal contracts and AI-related initiatives.
At this time, Ellison’s political visibility increased significantly. His frequent presence at the White House and influence over strategic tech policy placed him in a position to shape national decisions related to AI and data infrastructure.
David Ellison Took Control of Paramount Through Skydance Media
On the other hand, David Ellison established Skydance Media in 2010 and gradually turned it into a competitive production studio. After producing films like Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible – Fallout, he expanded into television and gaming. Not long ago, Skydance merged with Paramount Global and placed him in charge of CBS, MTV, and the Paramount film library.
His father backed the deal with over $1.5 billion in equity, thereby reinforcing the family’s footprint across both tech and media. The acquisition required clearance from the Federal Communications Commission, which came shortly after Skydance agreed to review CBS’s editorial practices and remove internal DEI programs.
These changes occurred as the company faced scrutiny over potential political interference in the wake of a lawsuit Trump filed against CBS for editing a 2024 interview with Kamala Harris, which ended with Paramount settling for $16 million. With regulatory approval secured, David now oversees one of the largest media operations in the United States, while more acquisitions are reportedly in the planning stages.