Michael “Monty” Widenius (born 1962) is a Finnish-Swedish software developer who created MySQL and MariaDB. His work on open-source databases enabled the web application era.
Creating MySQL
Widenius co-founded MySQL AB with David Axmark in 1995. He wrote the original MySQL code and led technical development. The name “MySQL” combines “My” (his daughter’s name) with SQL.
Open Source Business Model
MySQL AB pioneered the dual-licensing model:
- Free for open-source use (GPL)
- Commercial licenses for proprietary embedding
This model proved open source could be a viable business.
The Oracle Question
When Sun (and then Oracle) acquired MySQL, Widenius worried about the database’s open-source future. He unsuccessfully lobbied EU regulators to block the Oracle acquisition.
Creating MariaDB
In 2009, Widenius forked MySQL to create MariaDB, ensuring a community-controlled, fully open-source version would continue. MariaDB is named after his younger daughter, Maria.
Legacy
Widenius’s databases power an enormous portion of the web. WordPress, one of the web’s most common platforms, uses MySQL/MariaDB. His commitment to open source preserved these tools for the community.