Warren Buffett

Warren Edward Buffett is an American investor and philanthropist who currently serves as the chairman and CEO of the conglomerate holding company <a href="/facts/Berkshire_Hathaway/auQhFsAg">Berkshire Hathaway</a>. As a result of his investment success, Buffett is one of the best-known investors in the world. According to <a href="/facts/Forbes/lyULpGhW">Forbes</a>, as of May 2025, Buffett's estimated net worth stood at US$160.2 billion, making him the fifth-richest individual in the world.
Buffett was born in <a href="/facts/Omaha%2c_Nebraska/05378f5l">Omaha, Nebraska</a>. The son of <a href="/facts/United_States_Congress/mJlU46K7">U.S. congressman</a> and businessman <a href="/facts/Howard_Buffett/jNp6tU0g">Howard Buffett</a>, he developed an interest in business and investing during his youth. He entered the <a href="/facts/Wharton_School_of_the_University_of_Pennsylvania/0Ej6fE1G">Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania</a> in 1947 before graduating from the <a href="/facts/University_of_Nebraska%25E2%2580%2593Lincoln/J43EEWSI">University of Nebraska</a> at 20. He went on to graduate from <a href="/facts/Columbia_Business_School/TAPcAq9D">Columbia Business School</a>, where he molded his investment <a href="/facts/Philosophy/zAH5PVD6">philosophy</a> around the concept of <a href="/facts/Value_investing/37xKcMkc">value investing</a> pioneered by <a href="/facts/Benjamin_Graham/G9cS26No">Benjamin Graham</a>. He attended <a href="/facts/New_York_Institute_of_Finance/K1DnQwhQ">New York Institute of Finance</a> to focus on his economics background and soon pursued a business career.
He later began various business ventures and investment partnerships, including one with Graham. He created Buffett Partnership Ltd. in 1956 and his investment firm eventually acquired a textile manufacturing firm, Berkshire Hathaway, assuming its name to create a diversified <a href="/facts/Holding_company/nBGIp6rU">holding company</a>. Buffett emerged as the company's chairman and majority shareholder in 1970. In 1978, fellow investor and long-time business associate <a href="/facts/Charlie_Munger/go0IATyF">Charlie Munger</a> joined Buffett as vice-chairman.
Since 1970, Buffett has presided as the chairman and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway, one of America's <a href="/facts/Lists_of_corporate_assets/HFwTmdrN">foremost holding companies</a> and <a href="/facts/List_of_public_corporations_by_market_capitalization/3zIFBx5h">world's leading corporate conglomerates</a>. He has been referred to as the "Oracle" or "Sage" of <a href="/facts/Omaha/05378f5l">Omaha</a> by global media as a result of having accumulated a massive fortune derived from his business and investment success. He is noted for his adherence to the principles of value investing, and his frugality despite his wealth. Buffett has pledged to give away 99 percent of his fortune to philanthropic causes, primarily via the <a href="/facts/Bill_%2526_Melinda_Gates_Foundation/IW7prjCH">Gates Foundation</a>. He founded <a href="/facts/The_Giving_Pledge/7jF34Vpw">the Giving Pledge</a> in 2010 with <a href="/facts/Bill_Gates/z16t4m7s">Bill Gates</a>, whereby billionaires pledge to give away at least half of their fortunes. At Berkshire Hathaway's investor conference on May 3, 2025, Buffett requested that the board appoint <a href="/facts/Greg_Abel/0VYyKt79">Greg Abel</a> to succeed him as the company's chief executive officer by the year's end, whilst remaining chairman.

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Warren Buffett