5 Shocking Facts About Larry Ellison’s Michigan Connection: Who Is Jolin Zhu?
The search for "Larry Ellison girlfriend Michigan" does not lead to a casual romance; it leads to one of the most unexpected and powerful new figures in both the tech billionaire’s life and the world of college sports. As of December 22, 2025, the woman linked to this search term is not a girlfriend but Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison’s current wife, Jolin Zhu (also known by her birth name, Keren Zhu), a University of Michigan alumna whose recent actions have sent shockwaves through the NCAA.
The connection runs deeper than a simple alum donation; Jolin Zhu has been revealed as a key architect behind a multi-million dollar Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal for a top University of Michigan football recruit, blending the world of Silicon Valley wealth with the passion of Big Ten football. This surprising development highlights the private life of one of the world's wealthiest individuals, whose personal sphere is often as dramatic and expansive as his business empire.
Jolin Zhu (Keren Zhu) - Biography and Profile
Jolin Zhu, the woman who has captured the attention of both tech and sports media, maintains a highly private life despite her marriage to the Oracle magnate. Her profile offers a fascinating blend of international background and academic achievement.
- Full Name (Current): Jolin Ellison (Maiden Name: Zhu)
- Also Known As: Keren Zhu or Zhu Keren
- Relation to Larry Ellison: Current Wife (Often cited as his fifth or sixth wife, depending on the source’s classification of his relationships).
- Age: Early 30s (Reported to be 33 or 34 as of late 2024/2025).
- Nationality: Chinese-born, later became a U.S. citizen.
- Alma Mater: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (Graduated around 2012).
- Current Role: Private investor and philanthropist, notably involved in University of Michigan's Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) efforts.
- Residences: Reportedly shares residences with Ellison in Florida and California, in addition to his primary base on the island of Lanai.
The University of Michigan Connection: NIL and College Football
The reason Jolin Zhu’s name is now inextricably linked to "Michigan" stems from a high-stakes moment in college football recruiting. In late 2024, news broke that Larry Ellison’s wife was a critical figure in securing the commitment of one of the nation’s top quarterback recruits, Bryce Underwood, to the University of Michigan Wolverines.
Zhu’s involvement went beyond mere fandom. As a committed Michigan alum, she leveraged her connections and resources to help craft what was rumored to be a historic and lucrative NIL package.
A New Era of Billionaire Backing in NIL
The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules, which allow college athletes to profit from endorsements, have opened the door for wealthy alumni and boosters to directly influence recruiting. Jolin Zhu’s role in the Bryce Underwood deal is seen as a watershed moment, demonstrating the unprecedented financial power now wielded by individuals connected to tech billionaires.
Her personal connection to the institution—graduating with a degree in International Studies from the University of Michigan—is what motivated her to get involved.
This development has sparked widespread debate about the future of college athletics, where the financial backing of figures like Larry Ellison and Jolin Zhu can dramatically shift the competitive landscape. The arrangement positions Jolin Zhu not just as the wife of a billionaire, but as a significant power broker in the world of amateur sports.
Larry Ellison's Vast Empire and Personal Life Entities
To understand the magnitude of Jolin Zhu’s influence, one must appreciate the scale of Larry Ellison’s world. His life is a complex web of technology, immense wealth, and high-profile personal endeavors, which provides numerous entities for topical authority.
The Oracle Titan and Unprecedented Wealth
Larry Ellison is the co-founder, former CEO, and current Chairman and CTO of Oracle Corporation, one of the world's largest and most influential enterprise software companies.
His fortune has seen significant growth, particularly with the success of the company’s cloud computing division, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). In a remarkable surge in September 2025, Ellison's net worth briefly hit an estimated US$393 billion, temporarily making him the wealthiest person in the world. As of late 2025, his net worth remains in the range of $227 billion to $253 billion, solidifying his position as one of the top three richest people globally.
Oracle’s stock (ORCL) has shown strong performance, with recent news in December 2025 reporting positive fiscal Q2 2026 financial results and a large remaining performance obligation, indicating continued growth in the cloud sector.
The Island of Lanai: A Personal Kingdom
Ellison’s most famous real estate acquisition is the Hawaiian island of Lanai, 98% of which he purchased in 2012 for an estimated $300 million.
He has since invested heavily in transforming the island into a model of sustainable living and a luxury tourism destination, including two Four Seasons resorts. He has also announced plans to make the island his primary, full-time residence, moving away from his famous Woodside, California, estate.
A History of High-Profile Relationships
The marriage to Jolin Zhu follows a series of high-profile relationships. Ellison has been married four times previously:
- Melanie Craft: His fourth wife, a romance novelist, whom he married in 2003 and divorced in 2010.
- Nikita Kahn: A Ukrainian-American model and activist with whom he was in a long-term relationship following his divorce from Craft and prior to his marriage to Jolin Zhu.
His two children, David and Megan Ellison, from his third marriage to Barbara Boothe, are also prominent figures in their own right. They have both become highly successful film producers in Hollywood.
- David Ellison: CEO of Skydance Media, the studio behind films like Top Gun: Maverick and the Mission: Impossible franchise.
- Megan Ellison: Founder of Annapurna Pictures, an independent studio known for financing critically acclaimed films like Zero Dark Thirty and American Hustle.
The Future: Jolin Zhu's Growing Influence
Jolin Zhu’s emergence as a key player in the University of Michigan’s athletic strategy signals a new chapter for the Ellison family’s public profile. Her ability to connect the immense wealth of the Oracle empire with her personal passion as a Michigan alumna has created a powerful, modern narrative.
It is clear that the simple search for a "girlfriend" has revealed a much more complex and influential figure. Jolin Zhu is not just a partner, but a quiet force whose actions are now impacting major decisions in both the business and collegiate sports worlds. Her dedication to her alma mater and her access to one of the world’s largest fortunes ensure that her influence, particularly in Ann Arbor and beyond, is only just beginning to be felt.
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