Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has quietly spent nearly $10 million on eight houses in Florida to accommodate the tutors and staff who work for his family, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The 82-year-old billionaire owns a $173 million oceanfront compound in Manalapan, where he lives with his wife, Jolin, and their five young children. The newly acquired homes are for the people who support that household, including tutors for some of the children.
A Secret Purchase in Boynton Beach
The properties sit in Palm Meadows Estates, a gated community in Boynton Beach, about 30 minutes from Ellison’s main residence. An LLC bought the homes in 2023 for almost $10 million, keeping the billionaire’s name out of the transactions. Curious neighbors guessed that tech figures such as Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk were behind the purchases. Even the local agent who helped line up the deals reportedly didn’t learn who the buyer was until Ellison arrived to tour the homes, accompanied by bodyguards.
The distance appears deliberate. Staff live near enough to reach the family quickly, but not so close that they crowd the main estate.
Ultrarich Housing for Employees Is a Growing Trend
The move is part of a broader pattern among the ultrawealthy, who are increasingly buying housing for their employees. Offering a place to live helps families recruit top talent in expensive markets, where rents and home prices can put good candidates out of reach. It also lets employers keep staff close enough to help but far enough away to preserve the family’s privacy.
Peter Mahler of Mahler Private Staffing said investing in lodging can be a very smart decision. For households that rely on tutors, chefs, security teams and household managers, secure and convenient housing can be a major draw.
Ellison’s purchase shows how far the world’s richest families will go to build a dependable support network, and how carefully they guard the details when they do.