Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison has cultivated a reputation for luxury that matches his immense fortune, but one of his indulgences proved more controversial than intended.
According to sources, the tech mogul once owned a 191-foot superyacht christened the Izanami, which he believed honored a Shinto deity. The problem? Someone eventually noticed that when spelled backwards, the name formed a phrase no boat owner would want associated with their vessel: “I’m a N*zi.”
The embarrassing revelation prompted Ellison to change the yacht’s name, though the incident has resurfaced as a curious footnote in profiles of the Oracle co-founder’s extravagant lifestyle.
Ellison’s passion for yachts has been well-documented over the years. After the Izanami incident, he upgraded significantly to a massive 452-foot vessel before eventually settling on his current yacht, which measures 288 feet in length. The progression illustrates both his appetite for maritime luxury and his willingness to adapt when circumstances demand it.
The yacht naming mishap represents just one facet of how Ellison deploys his vast wealth. Recent spending has included $30 million for a safari park in Florida and $24 million to acquire two units in New York’s prestigious Pierre hotel, previously owned by the Redstone family.
His philanthropic ambitions operate on an equally grand scale. Ellison has committed over $1 billion to establish the Ellison Institute of Technology in Oxford, England, envisioned as an incubator for for-profit companies addressing global challenges. He has also directed hundreds of millions toward anti-aging research over the years, a personal interest that aligns with his stated goals.
At 81 years old, Ellison has previously expressed his desire to reach 150, and he has made clear that he has no intention of simply passing down his fortune for his children to manage in his absence.
His competitive nature extends beyond business ventures. “I’m ad dicted to winning,” Ellison once stated during an appearance on 60 Minutes, a program now owned by his family.
That drive may soon be tested as the Ellison family pursues an acquisition that could reshape the streaming landscape. Since making their initial bid in September, however, Larry’s net worth has reportedly declined by more than $100 billion as market concerns about artificial intelligence valuations have erased much of Oracle’s gains from earlier in the year.