7. Larry Ellison
CEO, Oracle
At 66, Ellison showed he still loves a good fight. He took on the HP board, declaring that CEO Mark Hurd's ouster was "the worst personnel decision" since Apple fired Jobs. Then he dug through Sun's IP library and claimed that Google's red-hot Android platform infringed on Java patents. When he hired Hurd as president, his domination of the headlines was complete. His business is doing well too: $12 billion in cash, $1.9 billion in operating income. And the acquisitions seem to be starting again. In November he announced plans to buy Art Technology Group for $1 billion.
--P.N.
NEXT: 8. Warren Buffett
Last updated November 19 2010: 10:47 AM ET
