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Ulf WideniusThe main author of the original version of the open source MySQL database management system
Date of Birth: 03.03.1962
Country:  Finland |
Content:
- Michael Widenius: Founder of MySQL
- Founding TCX DataKonsult and MySQL
- Technical Director at MySQL AB
- Sale of MySQL AB and Wealth Accumulation
- Leaving Sun Microsystems and Advocacy
- Personal Life and Influence
- MariaDB and Monty Program Ab
Michael Widenius: Founder of MySQL
Early Life and EducationMichael "Monty" Widenius is a prominent figure in the open-source community and the founder of the MySQL database management system. He attended the Helsinki University of Technology for a brief period but left to join Tapio Laakso's company in 1981.
Founding TCX DataKonsult and MySQL
In 1985, Widenius co-founded TCX DataKonsult with Alan Larsson. In 1994, he embarked on the development of MySQL with David Axmark. The first version of MySQL was released in 1995.
Technical Director at MySQL AB
Widenius served as the technical director of MySQL AB until its acquisition by Sun Microsystems in January 2008. He continued to play a significant role in MySQL's development even after the sale.
Sale of MySQL AB and Wealth Accumulation
In 2008, Widenius earned approximately 16.6 million euros in capital gains from the sale of MySQL AB. The acquisition made MySQL and MySQL AB assets a part of Sun Microsystems' portfolio.
Leaving Sun Microsystems and Advocacy
On February 5, 2009, Widenius announced his departure from Sun Microsystems to establish his own company. In December 2009, he urged the community to write to the European Commission to prevent Oracle's acquisition of Sun Microsystems due to potential database monopoly concerns. However, the European Commission approved the deal in January 2010.
Personal Life and Influence
Widenius resides in Tuusula, a municipality north of Helsinki, with his second wife, Anna, and daughter Maria. He has two children from his first marriage: a daughter named My (whose name is rumored to have inspired MySQL) and a son named Max (who inspired the MaxDB relational database management system).
MariaDB and Monty Program Ab
Widenius is currently working on a fork of the MySQL codebase called Maria. The product is known as MariaDB and is named after Widenius's youngest daughter. MariaDB is owned by Michael Widenius's company, Monty Program Ab.
