Friday, 30 January 2026
Lifestyle

Who Is Barbara Boothe? The Life of Larry Ellison’s Former Wife

A two-panel cartoon illustration depicting barbara boothe as a young woman in the 1970s alongside Larry Ellison, and as an older woman gardening, illustrating the different stages of her life.

Larry Ellison is a household name in the tech world—a billionaire tycoon known for founding Oracle, buying Hawaiian islands, and racing yachts. But the mother of his heir apparents has remained a mystery to the public for decades.

If you are searching for Barbara Boothe, you are likely looking for the woman who was married to Ellison during the critical years before Oracle became a global empire. While her marriage to the tech mogul was short-lived, her influence is undeniable. She is the mother of David and Megan Ellison, two of the most powerful producers in modern Hollywood.

This guide explores the life of Barbara Boothe, her relationship with Larry Ellison, and her role as the quiet matriarch behind a billion-dollar legacy.

Barbara Boothe & Larry Ellison: A Short-Lived Marriage

Barbara Boothe was not a socialite or an heiress when she met Larry Ellison. She was a receptionist at Relational Software Inc., the company that would eventually evolve into the tech giant Oracle.

The Timeline:

  • The Meeting: They met in the early 1980s while working together.
  • The Marriage: The couple married in 1983.
  • The Divorce: The marriage was brief, ending in divorce in 1986.

The “Almost” Billionaire Settlement The timing of their divorce is a legendary footnote in Silicon Valley history. Barbara and Larry finalized their divorce just days before Oracle’s Initial Public Offering (IPO). Because the split happened before the company went public, Barbara’s settlement—while substantial—was significantly less than it would have been had they stayed married just a few months longer.

Divorces involving high-net-worth individuals are complex financial operations. While most people worry about how much does it cost to build a 2 story house or manage a mortgage, settlements at this level involve equity splits that can fluctuate by millions of dollars in a single day.

The Children: David and Megan Ellison

If you search for “barbara boothe ellison”, the results are almost always tied to her children. Barbara is the mother of Larry Ellison’s only two biological children, both of whom have used their family resources to reshape the film industry.

1. David Ellison David is the founder of Skydance Media. He is the force behind massive blockbusters like Top Gun: Maverick, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, and World War Z. Unlike many “trust fund kids” who simply invest, David is an active CEO and an accomplished acrobatic pilot.

2. Megan Ellison Megan is the founder of Annapurna Pictures. She is known for backing critically acclaimed, artistic films that major studios were afraid to touch, including Zero Dark Thirty, Her, and American Hustle.

Barbara’s Parenting Style Despite their father being one of the richest men on Earth, Barbara Boothe is credited with keeping her children grounded. Reports suggest that while they had access to immense wealth (David learned to fly planes as a teenager), Barbara insisted on a relatively normal home life. She reportedly gave them a standard weekly allowance and assigned chores, fostering the work ethic that led both of them to become successful CEOs rather than just socialites.

Barbara Boothe Net Worth

Estimating Barbara Boothe’s net worth is difficult because she has maintained extreme financial privacy since the 1980s.

  • The Divorce Settlement: While missed out on the post-IPO explosion of Oracle stock, her settlement in 1986 included significant financial support and assets.
  • Family Wealth: Her children, David and Megan, were gifted Oracle stock early in their lives. Today, they are both multi-billionaires in their own right.

Barbara’s lifestyle today is undoubtedly comfortable, likely involving high-end real estate and privacy measures. For families with this level of wealth, security is paramount. Just as a homeowner might research what is a ranch style fence to secure a property, high-profile figures like Barbara utilize complex estate planning and privacy screens to keep their personal lives out of the tabloids.

Where Is Barbara Boothe Now?

Unlike her ex-husband, who frequently makes headlines for his lifestyle and business moves, Barbara Boothe has effectively vanished from the public eye.

  • No Digital Footprint: There is no “barbara boothe wikipedia” page, and she does not appear to have public social media accounts.
  • Philanthropy: It is widely believed that she engages in quiet philanthropy, possibly supporting causes related to animal welfare or the arts, aligning with her daughter Megan’s interests.

Conclusion

Barbara Boothe may be a footnote in the corporate history of Oracle, but she is a central figure in the history of Hollywood. As the mother who raised David and Megan Ellison, she helped shape the personalities of two producers who have brought us some of the 21st century’s most important films. She remains a testament to the fact that you can be adjacent to immense fame and fortune while still living a life of privacy and dignity.

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