From Vanity Fair · Tom Dotan · · 3m
Larry Ellison's Hidden Power Web
Larry Ellison, 82, controls a vast network of tech, media, and political power through Oracle, his son's media empire, and global influence.
In brief
Larry Ellison, 82, controls a vast network of tech, media, and political power through Oracle, his son's media empire, and global influence. Larry Ellison, 82, now owns a significant portion of Oracle, controls major media assets through his son, and has deep political ties including support for Israeli Prime Minister…
Lanai's New Ruler
Larry Ellison returned to Lanai after years, building a compound with Japanese carpenters and upgrading amenities like a Tesla solar roof and a movie theater showing Supergirl.
“I feel like I moved into your house”
The Octopus Empire
Ellison controls Oracle, a major AI data center provider, and has built a media empire through his son David, who owns Skydance and recently acquired Warner Bros. Discovery.
“Larry’s son David has transformed the independent production company Skydance into the last great consolidator in Hollywood”
Political Power
Ellison supports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Tony Blair’s think tank, donating $16.6 million to fortify a community center in Sderot, Israel.
“I’d like Larry to buy it too”
The AI Data Center
Oracle signed contracts with customers totaling $317 billion for AI data centers, with $300 billion traced to OpenAI, causing a 43% stock surge and Ellison surpassing Musk as the world’s richest person.
“It’s the crown jewel of theater experiences in Hawai‘i”
The Debt Trap
Oracle raised $43 billion through bonds, pushing total debt to $130 billion, with free cash flow cratering to -$23.7 billion and credit ratings downgraded.
“We have a freight train going down a track hitting a debt wall”
The Family Business
Ellison’s daughter Megan founded Annapurna Pictures, which struggled financially, while his son David built Skydance, now owning Warner Bros. Discovery.
“Larry is 150 percent behind his son”
The Political Shift
Ellison shifted rightward, investing $1 billion in Twitter and supporting Trump, while also backing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Tony Blair’s think tank.
“This isn’t my business. I am not in the newspaper business”
The Health Crisis
Ellison’s health concerns led him to invest in cancer research through Elizabeth Holmes’ Theranos and the Ellison Medical Institute, but the ventures have been costly.
“Macrobiotic diet my ass”
The Octopus Symbol
Ellison uses the octopus as a symbol for his vast power, with arms reaching into tech, media, and politics, including AI data centers and political influence.
“His joke is he is the octopus”
The Debt Crisis
Oracle’s debt has reached $130 billion, with free cash flow at -$23.7 billion, causing credit ratings to drop and stock prices to fall by over half since peak.
“Ellison has really put it all on red”
The Family Legacy
Ellison has been married six times, with children who have pursued diverse paths, including his daughter Megan’s Annapurna Pictures and son David’s Skydance media empire.
“Larry is 150 percent behind his son”
The Political Alliances
Ellison has deep ties with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, donating $16.6 million to fortify a community center in Sderot, and supporting Tony Blair’s think tank.
“I’d like Larry to buy it too”
The AI Boom
Ellison’s Oracle signed contracts for $317 billion in AI data center billings, with $300 billion traced to OpenAI, causing a 43% stock surge and Ellison briefly surpassing Musk as the world’s richest person.
“It’s the crown jewel of theater experiences in Hawai‘i”
The Debt Crisis
Oracle’s debt has reached $130 billion, with free cash flow at -$23.7 billion, causing credit ratings to drop and stock prices to fall by over half since peak.
“Ellison has really put it all on red”
The Family Business
Ellison’s daughter Megan founded Annapurna Pictures, which struggled financially, while his son David built Skydance, now owning Warner Bros. Discovery.
“Larry is 150 percent behind his son”
The Political Shift
Ellison shifted rightward, investing $1 billion in Twitter and supporting Trump, while also backing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Tony Blair’s think tank.
“This isn’t my business. I am not in the newspaper business”
What it means
Larry Ellison, 82, now owns a significant portion of Oracle, controls major media assets through his son, and has deep political ties including support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
