Melanie Craft is an American author and novelist, best known publicly as the former wife of billionaire businessman and Oracle Corporation co-founder and CEO Larry Ellison. The couple married in 2003 and later divorced in 2010. Before gaining public attention, Craft reportedly worked a variety of jobs, including house cleaning, safari guiding, and bartending, before eventually establishing herself as a writer. Despite her marriage to one of the world’s most influential tech entrepreneurs, she remained focused on developing her own literary career. As an author, she has written several novels, including Man Trouble and Trust Me, which contributed to her recognition as a contemporary fiction writer. Even after her divorce from Ellison, she has continued to maintain her identity as a public figure through her writing and personal work. In addition to her professional life, Craft is known for her strong interest in fitness and overall health, which she considers an important part of her lifestyle.
Childhood & Early Life
Melanie Craft was born in 1969 in Pittsburgh to a university professor father. She has a sister named Kira. She later attended Oberlin College, where she studied anthropology. Before her writing career, she was in a long-term live-in relationship with a UC Davis graduate named Todd for about nine years.
Career of Melanie Craft
Melanie Craft worked several different jobs before becoming a novelist, including positions as a bartender, house cleaner, driver, and bakery worker. She also spent time working at the YMCA camp in Pennsylvania.
She later established herself as a writer and published multiple novels. Her debut novel, A Hard Hearted Man (1998), tells a romantic story involving a wealthy businessman and a less fortunate woman. She followed it with Trust Me, which centers on a veterinarian whose life changes dramatically after a millionaire leaves her his fortune. In 2004, she released Man Trouble, a novel about a history teacher who secretly writes novels while hiding her identity; the book gained popularity among younger readers and received generally positive feedback. Although she achieved moderate success as an author, she has expressed a desire to become a best-selling novelist.
Relationship with Larry Ellison
Melanie Craft married billionaire businessman Larry Ellison on December 18, 2003, at his Woodside estate in California. The wedding was a private ceremony attended by close friends and family. Notably, Steve Jobs served as best man and also acted as the wedding photographer.
Before marrying Craft, Ellison had been married three times and had two children, David and Megan. During their marriage, the couple traveled frequently and shared interests such as enjoying Japanese cuisine at home. However, the marriage eventually ended in divorce in 2010.
Following the separation, reports suggested that Craft received a significant portion of Ellison’s assets, including properties and luxury items. Since then, she has largely remained out of the public spotlight and is believed to be living a private life.
Net worth of Melanie Craft
The estimated net worth of Melanie Craft is about $3 million.