Billionaire Larry Ellison’s new wife has been shown to be the missing link for his investment in college football at the University of Michigan.
Football fans credited Ellison, 80—the world’s fourth-richest man and the founder of Oracle cloud software—as a financial force in the pursuit of high school quarterback Bryce Underwood from Louisiana State University. The boosters also thanked Ellison’s wife, a 33-year-old woman named Jolin who also goes by Keren Zhu, he said. The Wall Street Journal.
“I want to personally thank Larry and his wife Jolin who helped make this happen,” said Champions Circle co-chairman Nate Forbes.
The Journal reported that Zhu is a graduate of the University of Michigan, with a 2012 bachelor of arts degree in International Studies. The document also states that Zhu’s name is found on the Octopus Holdings website, which is owned by Ellison.
Although Ellison has not publicly revealed that he is married for the fifth time, many sports executives have supported Jolin’s influence on Ellison’s decision-making.
Jolin and Ellison reportedly tracked down Underwood on a Zoom call with Bryce and her father, Jay. Ellison described his upbringing on the South Side of Chicago, and Jolin reportedly expressed his interest in seeing the Michigan Wolverines return to the top of the football world.
“It wasn’t a real conversation,” said Jay.
He added, “I guess a happy wife, a happy life.”
Retired quarterback Tom Brady, another Michigan alum, also reportedly called Underwood to ask him to attend the school.