When Larry Ellison’s yacht can’t fit through the Panama Canal, you know you’re dealing with a different breed of billionaire. The Oracle founder, whose net worth hovers around $140 billion, has turned eccentric spending into an art form, crafting a lifestyle that makes Gatsby look like a minimalist. Ellison’s extravagant eccentricities aren’t just random indulgences – they’re expressions of a personality that’s helped make him one of the most successful entrepreneurs in history. His need to own the biggest, fastest, and most impressive of everything mirrors the ambition that built Oracle into a tech giant.
Ellison is known for his aviation obsession. His heavily-customized Gulfstream business jet made Steve Jobs so jealous that it forced the Apple co-founder to get one for himself with the same specifications. However, Ellison’s love for jets extends way beyond private jet travel. In the late 1990s, the billionaire regularly flew an SIAI-Marchetti S.211 fighter plane, used by the Italian Air Force, and even conducted mock dog-fights over the Pacific, with his son David.
However, at one point in time, Ellison had his eyes on a much more capable military jet – a MiG-29. The eccentric billionaire tried importing a decommissioned Russian MiG-29 fighter jet, which was stopped by the US government. “It’s considered a firearm, even though that’s not my intention,” he said. “It is disarmed, but theoretically you could rearm it and take out a couple of cities.” Some reports suggest Ellison eventually bought the twin-engine fighter jet to the US, which sits in his collection alongside other aircraft.
Now in his late 70s, Ellison shows no signs of toning down his extravagant ways. However, he doesn’t indulge in mock dogfights while flying military jets. Instead, the billionaire businessman loves spending time shooting hoops, even on high seas. His 288 feet superyacht Musashi features a basketball court and even has an employee in a powerboat who tails the luxury vessel whose job is to retrieve balls that land up in the sea.
Mikoyan MiG-29
The MiG-29 (NATO reporting name: Fulcrum) is a twin-engine fighter aircraft developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s as an air superiority fighter to counter advanced Western combat aircraft like the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon. Initially entering service in 1982, the MiG-29 features distinctive twin vertical stabilizers, excellent maneuverability thanks to its aerodynamic design and thrust-vectoring capability, and can reach supersonic speeds of up to Mach 2.25 (approximately 1,520 mph).
The fighter is equipped with a sophisticated weapons system including a 30mm cannon, air-to-air missiles, and various air-to-ground munitions making it a versatile platform for both air combat and ground attack missions. Its advanced radar system, high thrust-to-weight ratio, and ability to operate from rough airfields have made it popular among many air forces worldwide, with variants serving in over 25 countries.
The MiG-29’s impressive performance at international air shows, particularly its ability to perform the “cobra maneuver” where the aircraft raises its nose to more than to an angle of attack greater than 120 degrees while maintaining forward motion, has cemented its reputation as one of the most capable fighter aircraft of its generation.
