Lawrence Joseph Ellison, born 17 August 1944 in the Bronx, New York City, founded Oracle Corporation in 1977 and built it into one of the largest enterprise software companies in the world. He served as CEO until 2014 and remains Executive Chairman and Chief Technology Officer.
His Birth Mother and Adoption
Larry was born to an unmarried 19-year-old Jewish mother (Florence Spellman), and at age 9 months was sent to live with his great-aunt and her husband in Chicago. He never knew his biological father.
His Adoptive Parents
Adoptive father: Louis Ellison — Russian-Jewish immigrant; small business owner.
Adoptive mother: Lillian Spellman Ellison — Florence's aunt.
His Wives and Children
Larry has been married four times — to Adda Quinn (1967–1974); Nancy Wheeler (1977–1978); Barbara Boothe Ellison (1983–1986); Melanie Craft (2003–2010).
He has two children with Barbara Boothe:
David Ellison, born 9 January 1983 — son; founder of Skydance Media (now Paramount Skydance Corporation, after the 2024 Paramount acquisition).
Megan Ellison, born 31 January 1986 — daughter; founder of Annapurna Pictures.
The Ellison Family Tree at a Glance
Birth Mother: Florence Spellman.
Adoptive Parents: Louis Ellison (Russian-Jewish immigrant); Lillian Spellman Ellison.
Wives: Adda Quinn; Nancy Wheeler; Barbara Boothe; Melanie Craft.
Children: David Ellison (b. 9 January 1983); Megan Ellison (b. 31 January 1986).
Larry Ellison:
- Born 17 August 1944, the Bronx, NYC
- Raised by adoptive parents in Chicago
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (left after his adoptive mother's death)
- Co-founded Software Development Laboratories (1977) — became Oracle Corporation
- CEO of Oracle (1977–2014); Executive Chairman/CTO since 2014
What the Ellison Family Story Teaches Us
A 19-year-old birth mother. A great-aunt who became his mother. An adoptive father who was a Russian-Jewish immigrant. Four marriages. Two children who each founded major Hollywood studios. From one Chicago adopted-Jewish household came one of the most consequential US technology fortunes.
For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Ellison story carries the same lesson. Adoptive parents who raised you are parents. Larry was raised by Lillian and Louis Ellison — they appear on his tree as parents. Write down adopted relationships honestly.
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