Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has built a reputation for high-stakes corporate dominance and an equally high-profile personal life. Over decades in the public eye, Ellison has been married six times, moving from early bohemian struggles to secluded private estates and high-society ceremonies. Understanding his marital evolution reveals how a tech mogul balances immense wealth with shifting personal commitments.
Beyond the corporate headlines, Ellison's relationships trace a path from his pre-billionaire days in the late 1960s to his recent marriage to Jolin Zhu. While public details are often tightly controlled or obscured by legal privacy measures, his marital history offers a clear timeline of personal transitions.
The Early Marriages: From Pre-Oracle Struggles to the 1980s
Before Oracle became a corporate giant, Ellison married Adda Quinn in 1967. The marriage predated his vast fortune and tech industry success, ending in divorce in 1974 as Ellison bounced through various technology jobs in Northern California before founding the company that would become Oracle.
Shortly after meeting Nancy Wheeler Jenkins, Ellison married her in late 1976, just prior to launching Software Development Laboratories. This marriage was notably brief; they divorced in 1978. In the divorce settlement, Wheeler famously relinquished any claims to company stock for a nominal payout of $500, missing out on what would eventually become a multi-billion-dollar stake.
Barbara Boothe and the Foundation of a Family
Ellison's third marriage was to Barbara Boothe, a former receptionist, lasting from 1983 to 1986. This period coincided with Oracle's early commercial expansion and public stock offering.
- David Ellison: Their first child, born prior to the marriage, grew up to become a prominent Hollywood film producer and the CEO of Skydance Media.
- Megan Ellison: Their second child, born in 1986, founded Annapurna Pictures, carving out a major footprint in independent cinema.
Despite the wealth generated during this era, the marriage ended in the mid-1980s, setting a pattern of relatively short-term unions for the billionaire. You can read more about corporate milestones during this era on Oracle's official history page.
High-Profile Unions and Private Ceremonies
As Ellison's net worth soared into the billions, his personal life drew intense media scrutiny, prompting him to secure tighter circles of privacy around his homes.
In December 2003, Ellison married romance novelist Melanie Craft at his sprawling Woodside estate. The ceremony gained media attention not just for the bride, but for the guest list and roles: Apple co-founder Steve Jobs served as the official wedding photographer, and politician Tom Lantos officiated. This marriage lasted until their divorce in 2010, making it one of his longer commitments.
Following his split from Craft, Ellison entered a relationship with Nikita Kahn, whom he married in 2015. During this period, Ellison even named a short-lived Malibu restaurant after her. The couple separated in late 2016, and their divorce was finalized in 2020.
Recent Years and Marriage to Jolin Zhu
In subsequent years, Ellison's marital status shifted quietly away from mainstream tabloid fodder into more private realms. By the mid-2020s, public records and media reports identified Jolin (Keren) Zhu as his sixth wife.
Unlike his earlier marriages, details regarding his life with Zhu remain largely shielded from aggressive public exposure. Ellison spends much of his time managing his massive real estate holdings—most notably Lanai, the Hawaiian island he purchased in 2012—where he maintains a heavily guarded, private residence ecosystem. Comprehensive tracking of global billionaires and their asset histories is regularly updated by publications like Forbes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has Larry Ellison been married?
Larry Ellison has been married six times across his life, resulting in five divorces and his current marriage.
Who are Larry Ellison's children?
He has two children, David and Megan Ellison, both of whom achieved significant success in the entertainment industry as film producers and studio executives.
What happened to Nancy Wheeler's Oracle shares?
During their 1978 divorce, Nancy Wheeler sold back her early startup shares to Ellison for $500, forgoing what would have been an astronomical equity stake as Oracle grew.
Who photographed Larry Ellison's 2003 wedding?
His close friend and Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs, served as the official wedding photographer when Ellison married Melanie Craft.
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