Larry Ellison’s ex-wife, Melanie Craft Biography: Age, Net Worth, Height, Career, Novelist, Books

Melanie Craft is an American romance novelist who gained widespread recognition not only for her witty and heartfelt books exploring love and personal transformation but also as the fourth wife of Oracle co-founder and billionaire Larry Ellison, whom she married in 2003 after an eight-year courtship.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Craft pursued a diverse path before settling into writing, holding jobs as a bartender, house cleaner, pastry chef, and even safari driver while honing her craft.

Profile

• Full Name: Melanie Craft
• Stage Name: Melanie Craft
• Born: 1969
• Age: 56 years old
• Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Novelist
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: University professor father (name unknown), and Mrs. Craft
• Siblings: Kira Craft
• Spouse: Larry Ellison (m. 2003-2010)
• Boyfriend: Todd (ex)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: $10 million

Early Life and Education

Melanie Craft was born in 1969 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to a university professor father and his wife, whose names remain private.

She grew up alongside her sister, Kira Craft, a fashion designer based in London, in an academic household that fostered her curiosity about people and stories.

Craft attended Oberlin College in Ohio, earning a degree in anthropology, which deepened her interest in human relationships and cultures; she later spent a year studying archaeology at the American University in Cairo, experiences that influenced her narrative style.

Her ethnicity is Caucasian, and she follows Christianity.

Career

Melanie Craft began her professional journey with a series of eclectic jobs after college, working as a bartender, house cleaner, pastry chef, and safari driver to support herself while writing in her spare time.

These roles exposed her to diverse lives and fueled her storytelling, leading her to complete her first manuscript after years of revisions.

She debuted as a novelist in 1998 with A Hard-Hearted Man, a romance that blended humor and emotional depth, earning positive reviews for its fresh take on love and independence.

Initial recognition came through small presses and word-of-mouth in the romance genre, where her background in anthropology added unique layers to character development, helping her build a modest but loyal following amid the competitive literary scene.

Craft’s career gained momentum in the early 2000s with releases like Trust Me and the more playful Man Trouble in 2004, the latter drawing comparisons to screwball comedies for its clever dialogue and relatable heroines navigating modern relationships.

Her writing often reflected personal insights, and while her output remained steady, the high-profile nature of her relationship with Larry Ellison shifted some focus to her personal life, though she insisted on maintaining creative independence.

This period marked growth as she balanced book tours with a more public existence, collaborating with publishers like Warner Books to refine her voice in contemporary romance, a genre she chose for its emphasis on emotional growth and human connection.

Craft’s novels continue to resonate with readers seeking uplifting tales of romance and self-discovery, with her work influencing emerging writers in the genre through its blend of wit and introspection.

Post-divorce, she has embraced a quieter path, channeling experiences into thoughtful narratives that prioritize authenticity over commercial trends, leaving a legacy as a grounded voice in romance literature that celebrates resilience and real-life complexities.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @melanie_craft
• Twitter Handle: @melaniecraft

Personal Life

Melanie Craft shared a nine-year live-in relationship with Todd, a UC Davis graduate, before meeting Larry Ellison in a San Francisco restaurant in 1995, leading to an engagement that ended as their romance with Ellison blossomed.

She married Ellison on December 18, 2003, blending her world with his amid frequent global travels and shared interests like Japanese cuisine.

The couple had no children together, though Craft bonded with Ellison’s daughters from a prior marriage, Megan and David.

Their union ended in divorce on September 28, 2010, amid reports of clashing lifestyles-her preference for privacy versus his high-energy pursuits-yet they parted amicably, with Craft receiving a substantial settlement including properties and assets.

Since then, she has kept a low profile, focusing on writing, and fitness routines at exclusive gyms.

Net Worth

Melanie Craft holds an estimated net worth of $10 million. Her wealth primarily derives from book sales and royalties from her romance novels, which have sustained a niche audience over the years, supplemented by advances from major publishers. The divorce settlement from Larry Ellison provided significant assets, including real estate and financial support.