How a Programmer Job-Hopper Became The World’s Most Eccentric Billionaire

Larry Ellison is now the world’s 7th richest man

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Growing up, Larry didn’t have a lot of encouragement from his father. An illegal immigrant, Louis Ellison did everything he could to prove his love towards the United States. He became a U.S. Air Force pilot. He never questioned the government or his superiors. And he didn’t want his son to question his authority, either.

In fact, Louis Ellison went out of his way to kill his son’s curiosity and self-confidence. One time, Larry accidentally scored into his own basket during a basketball game. A local newspaper wrote about the incident. Larry’s father clipped out the news headline and hung it on the wall.

As a result, Larry became a rebel. At age thirteen, Ellison refused to have a bar mitzvah celebration. At 16, he bought a used chopper bike from a police auction.

His definition of fun was to break into abandoned houses. With his friends, Larry would often break into their local laundromat at night. They would get into the washing machines and let them run, without closing the door.

“Oh, it was a powerful motivation. I think my dad had a wonderful effect on me. If fire doesn’t destroy you, you’re tempered by it. Thanks, Dad,” Ellison said…