Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett is one of the most successful investors in history, known for his remarkable ability to identify undervalued companies and generate consistent long-term returns. As the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett has built a vast financial empire and is widely regarded as the “Oracle of Omaha” due to his insightful investment strategies. Beyond finance, he is also a prominent philanthropist, having pledged to give away most of his fortune through The Giving Pledge, which he co-founded with Bill and Melinda Gates.

Early Life and Education

Warren Edward Buffett was born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. He was the second of three children and the only son of Leila and Howard Buffett. His father was a stockbroker and later a U.S. congressman, which exposed Warren to finance at an early age.

Buffett showed an affinity for numbers and business from a young age. He displayed a keen entrepreneurial spirit, selling chewing gum, Coca-Cola, and magazines door-to-door as a child. By the age of 11, he made his first stock purchase, buying three shares of Cities Service Preferred for himself and three for his sister.

He attended Rose Hill Elementary School and later Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C., where his family had moved due to his father’s political career. During his teenage years, Buffett expanded his business ventures, running a newspaper delivery service and even pinball machine businesses, demonstrating his early knack for investment and profit-making.

Buffett’s academic journey took him to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania at the age of 17. He transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the age of 19. Despite being rejected by Harvard Business School, he later enrolled at Columbia Business School, earning a Master of Science in Economics in 1951. At Columbia, he was profoundly influenced by Benjamin Graham, the legendary investor and author of The Intelligent Investor, which became the foundation of Buffett’s investment philosophy.

Personal Life and Family

Warren Buffett married Susan Thompson in 1952, and they had three children: Susan Alice, Howard Graham, and Peter. Despite their deep bond, the couple separated in 1977, though they remained legally married until Susan’s passing in 2004. Buffett later married Astrid Menks in 2006, a longtime companion whom Susan had introduced into his life.

Buffett maintains a relatively modest lifestyle despite his immense wealth. He still resides in the same house in Omaha that he purchased in 1958 for $31,500. Known for his frugality, he prefers McDonald’s breakfasts and drives his own car instead of relying on chauffeurs. He has pledged to donate the majority of his wealth to philanthropic causes, primarily through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and his own charitable organization, the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation.

His children have followed various career paths rather than relying on their father’s fortune. Buffett has emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency and has famously stated that he will leave his children “enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing.”

Detailed Biography Table

Career

Early Career and Mentorship

After completing his studies, Buffett worked as an investment salesman at Buffett-Falk & Co., a family-run brokerage firm. In 1954, he joined Graham-Newman Corp. as a securities analyst, working directly under Benjamin Graham. During this time, Buffett refined his value investing approach, focusing on undervalued stocks with strong fundamentals.

Establishing His Investment Empire

When Graham retired in 1956, Buffett returned to Omaha and launched Buffett Partnership Ltd. With a starting capital of $105,000 pooled from family and friends, he quickly grew the firm, outperforming market averages year after year. By 1962, he became a millionaire and began acquiring shares in a struggling textile manufacturing firm, Berkshire Hathaway.

Over time, Buffett transformed Berkshire Hathaway from a textile business into a diversified holding company. He began acquiring insurance companies, such as National Indemnity Company, which provided steady cash flow for future investments. In the 1970s and 1980s, he expanded into banking, consumer goods, and media, buying stakes in companies like The Washington Post, Coca-Cola, and American Express.

The Rise of Berkshire Hathaway

Under Buffett’s leadership, Berkshire Hathaway became one of the world’s most successful conglomerates, investing in high-value businesses with long-term growth potential. He popularized the concept of “moat investing,” selecting companies with durable competitive advantages.

By the 1990s and 2000s, Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio included major stakes in companies such as:

• Coca-Cola – Buffett purchased shares in 1988, a move that became one of his most lucrative investments.
• Wells Fargo – He heavily invested in banking, believing in the long-term stability of financial institutions.
• Apple – In the 2010s, Buffett made a significant investment in Apple, recognizing its brand power and profitability.
• Railroads and Energy – Berkshire acquired BNSF Railway and expanded its energy holdings through Berkshire Hathaway Energy.

Latest News (Trending in 2025)

Warren Buffett’s Successor Officially Announced

One of the most significant pieces of news in early 2025 is the formal announcement of Greg Abel as Warren Buffett’s official successor as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Abel, who currently oversees the company’s non-insurance operations, has been groomed for this position for years.

Buffett, now 94 years old, has expressed his confidence in Abel’s leadership, stating that he is “exceptionally capable” of maintaining Berkshire Hathaway’s culture and long-term investment approach. Despite stepping back from day-to-day operations, Buffett remains active in providing strategic guidance and investment insights.

Height, Physical Appearance

Warren Buffett stands at 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall. Despite his age, he maintains an active lifestyle and continues to attend major financial and philanthropic events. Buffett has a distinctive appearance with white hair, glasses, and a warm smile. He is often seen wearing a classic business suit, usually in conservative colors, reflecting his simple and pragmatic personality.

Social Media Accounts (Official Links)

Although Warren Buffett himself does not actively use social media, official accounts related to Berkshire Hathaway and his philanthropic work are listed below:

Net Worth as of 2025

As of 2025, Warren Buffett’s net worth is estimated to be around $125 billion, making him one of the richest individuals in the world. His wealth is primarily derived from his Berkshire Hathaway holdings. However, Buffett has also been a major philanthropist, having already donated over $50 billion to charitable causes, including global health, poverty alleviation, and education.

Buffett’s frugal lifestyle is well known. Despite his immense wealth, he still lives in the same modest house in Omaha, Nebraska, which he purchased in 1958 for $31,500. He prefers a simple routine, enjoying McDonald’s breakfasts and Coca-Cola, and he drives himself rather than using a chauffeur.