Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett
Born	August 30, 1930 (age 96); Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Investor, philanthropist, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway
Years active	1951–present
Known for	Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, value investing

Warren Edward Buffett ( ; born August 30, 1930) is a prominent American investor and philanthropist, holding the positions of chairman and CEO at the diversified holding company Berkshire Hathaway. As of May 2025, his estimated net worth reached US$160.2 billion, positioning him as the world's fifth wealthiest person.

Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett is the son of businessman and U.S. Congressman Howard Buffett. His fascination with business and investing emerged early in life. He initially attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania before transferring to and graduating from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln at age 20. He pursued a master's degree at Columbia Business School, where he adopted the value investing strategies developed by Benjamin Graham. Following additional coursework at the New York Institute of Finance, he embarked on his professional investment path.

In 1956, Buffett established Buffett Partnership Ltd., which later acquired the textile firm Berkshire Hathaway and evolved it into a broad-based holding enterprise. By 1970, he assumed the roles of chairman and majority owner. The partnership was further strengthened in 1978 when investor Charlie Munger joined as vice-chairman.

Since taking leadership in 1970, Buffett has guided Berkshire Hathaway to become one of the United States' premier holding companies and a dominant global conglomerate. Often referred to as the "Oracle" or "Sage" of Omaha, he is celebrated for his rigorous value investing methodology and modest lifestyle despite immense wealth. Buffett has pledged to donate 99 percent of his fortune to charitable causes, mainly through the Gates Foundation, and co-initiated the Giving Pledge alongside Bill Gates in 2010 to motivate billionaires to contribute at least half their wealth.

During Berkshire Hathaway’s May 2025 shareholder meeting, Buffett declared his intention to step down as CEO by the end of the year, endorsing Greg Abel as his successor while retaining his chairman position.

Early life and education

Born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, Buffett was the second child and only son of Leila (née Stahl) and Congressman Howard Buffett. His father’s election to Congress in 1942 led the family to relocate to Washington, D.C., where Warren completed elementary school and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1947. His senior yearbook described him as someone who "likes math; a future stockbroker." Although he achieved early entrepreneurial success, his father insisted he pursue higher education before entering business.

Buffett’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age. At seven years old, inspired by One Thousand Ways to Make $1000, he began selling Coca-Cola bottles, gum, and magazines door-to-door. He also worked in his grandfather’s grocery store and earned money through newspaper delivery, selling golf balls and stamps, as well as car washing services. By age 15, he was making over $175 per month delivering Washington Post newspapers. At 14, he purchased a 40-acre farm using savings from these ventures. By the time he graduated college, Buffett had accumulated approximately $9,800 in savings (adjusted for inflation).

In 1947, following his father’s advice, Buffett started studies at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania but transferred after two years to the University of Nebraska, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1951. After being denied admission by Harvard Business School, he enrolled at Columbia Business School to study under Benjamin Graham, completing a Master of Science in economics that same year. He later attended courses at the New York Institute of Finance.

Buffett’s initial investment experience began at age 11 when he purchased stock shares and frequently visited a brokerage near his father’s office. His father supported this interest by taking him to the New York Stock Exchange when Warren was just ten years old. Buffett credits Benjamin Graham’s investment philosophy—treating stocks as ownership in businesses, capitalizing on market price fluctuations, and ensuring a margin of safety—as core principles shaping his investment strategy.

Early business career

From 1951 until 1954, Buffett was employed at his father’s company, Buffett-Falk & Co., working as an investment salesman. He then served as a securities analyst at Graham-Newman Corp. from 1954 to 1956. Between 1956 and 1969, he acted as general partner in various investment partnerships. Starting in 1970, he took on the roles of chairman and CEO at Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

In 1951, Buffett discovered that Benjamin Graham was a board member of GEICO insurance. He visited GEICO’s headquarters and spent several hours conversing with Vice President Lorimer Davidson about the insurance industry, which led to his first purchase of GEICO stock. Davidson became a lifelong mentor and friend. Although Buffett aspired to work on Wall Street, both his father and Graham advised against it. He even offered to work for Graham without pay but was turned down.

After returning to Omaha, Buffett worked as a stockbroker and completed a Dale Carnegie public speaking course. This training enabled him to teach an “Investment Principles” evening class at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. During this time, he also invested in a Sinclair gas station, which ultimately did not succeed.

In 1954, Buffett accepted a position at Benjamin Graham’s partnership with an annual salary of $12,000 (equivalent to about $ today). There, he collaborated closely with Walter Schloss. Graham focused on selecting stocks that provided a substantial margin of safety between their market price and intrinsic value. When Graham retired and dissolved his partnership in 1956, Buffett had accumulated savings exceeding $174,000 (approximately $ million today) and returned to Omaha to establish several investment partnerships.

By 1957, Buffett managed three partnerships; this number increased to six by 1959. During that summer, he met Charlie Munger at The Omaha Club, who would later become his partner. In 1961, Buffett revealed that 35% of his partnerships’ assets were invested in the Sanborn Map Company, whose stock was trading below the value of its investment portfolio. Buffett acquired a 23% stake as an activist investor, secured a seat on the board, and joined forces with other shareholders controlling 44%. To prevent a proxy battle, the board repurchased shares at fair value using part of its investment holdings; 77% of shares were tendered. This transaction yielded Buffett a 50% return within two years.

Assuming Berkshire

By 1962, through his partnerships—which had expanded to manage over $7.1 million across 11 entities including over $1 million of his own funds—Buffett had become a millionaire. He consolidated these into Buffett Partnership, Ltd., which served as his main investment vehicle throughout the decade. During this period, he invested in and eventually gained control over textile manufacturer Berkshire Hathaway, purchasing shares from owner Seabury Stanton amid disagreements over company policies. Initially acquiring shares at $7.60 each, partnerships later bought aggressively at $14.86 per share in 1965 despite Berkshire’s working capital being valued at $19 per share excluding fixed assets. Upon taking control, Buffett appointed Ken Chace as president and closed the partnership to new investors in 1966. He later reflected on the textile business as his poorest investment decision and shifted focus toward insurance; the final textile mill was sold in 1985.

In 1967, Berkshire made its initial private business acquisition by investing in Baltimore’s Hochschild, Kohn and Co., while also issuing its only dividend of 10 cents per share. In 1969, Buffett dissolved the partnership structure and distributed assets—including Berkshire shares—to partners; from then on he depended on a $50,000 salary plus external income sources.

Berkshire purchased stock in the Washington Post Company in 1973; Buffett joined its board and developed a strong relationship with Katharine Graham. The following year, the SEC investigated Berkshire’s acquisition of Wesco Financial for potential conflicts of interest but no charges were filed. In 1977, Berkshire indirectly acquired the Buffalo Evening News for $32.5 million but encountered antitrust opposition from rival Buffalo Courier-Express until that competitor ceased operations in 1982.

Beginning in 1979, Berkshire started acquiring shares in ABC. In an unexpected move in 1985, Capital Cities Communications bought ABC for $3.5 billion—four times its own size—with Buffett financing part of the deal and obtaining a 25% ownership stake in Capital Cities/ABC. Regulatory requirements mandated the divestiture of some stations due to overlapping ownership concerns.

In 1987, Berkshire became the largest shareholder of Salomon Inc., holding a 12% stake; Buffett joined its board as well. After a trading scandal involving unauthorized bids exceeding Treasury limits and CEO John Gutfreund’s delayed response came to light, Gutfreund resigned in 1991 and Buffett assumed the chairmanship until matters were resolved.

Starting in 1988, Buffett began purchasing stock in The Coca-Cola Company, ultimately investing $1.02 billion for a roughly 7% stake—one of Berkshire’s most successful and long-lasting investments.

As a billionaire

In 1998, Buffett expanded his portfolio by acquiring General Re (Gen Re) as a subsidiary. This acquisition encountered difficulties due to lax underwriting practices and a troubled derivatives portfolio that led to notable losses before being rectified. Subsequently, Gen Re played a role in providing reinsurance following Buffett’s collaboration with Maurice R. Greenberg at AIG in 2002.

Gen Re executives became embroiled in the 2005 inquiry into AIG’s accounting misconduct. On March 15, 2005, Greenberg was compelled to resign by the AIG board amid allegations of dubious transactions and accounting irregularities. AIG consented to a $1.6 billion penalty on February 9, 2006. In 2010, the U.S. government reached a settlement with Gen Re for $92 million, enabling the Berkshire Hathaway unit to avoid criminal charges. As part of the resolution, Gen Re agreed to implement governance reforms, including Berkshire Hathaway’s CFO participating in its audit committee meetings and the appointment of an independent board member.

In 2002, Buffett entered into $11 billion worth of forward contracts to exchange U.S. dollars for foreign currencies, generating over $2 billion in profits by April 2006. By June 2006, he revealed plans to gradually donate 85% of his Berkshire shares to five philanthropic foundations—chiefly the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation—via annual stock contributions beginning that July. In 2007, Buffett announced he was searching for one or more younger successors to oversee his investment operations.

2007–08 financial crisis

Buffett faced criticism during the 2007–08 subprime mortgage meltdown for deploying capital prematurely, which led to some less-than-ideal investments. In a 2008 New York Times editorial, he encouraged public confidence with the statement "Buy American. I am." He characterized the financial industry’s collapse as "poetic justice". Berkshire Hathaway experienced a 77% drop in earnings during Q3 2008, with various holdings suffering substantial mark-to-market write-downs.

On September 23, 2008, Berkshire Hathaway purchased 10% of Goldman Sachs’ perpetual preferred shares. By late 2008, Buffett’s written put options had incurred nearly $6.73 billion in mark-to-market losses, prompting the SEC to require enhanced disclosures. He also played a pivotal role in Dow Chemical’s $18.8 billion acquisition of Rohm & Haas by contributing $3 billion and becoming the largest shareholder post-merger—demonstrating his significant impact on debt and equity markets amid the crisis.

In 2008, Buffett ascended to become the world’s wealthiest individual, with Forbes estimating his net worth at $62 billion and Yahoo at $58 billion, surpassing Bill Gates after his 13-year reign at the top. However, Gates reclaimed first place in 2009 as both men experienced sharp declines in wealth; Buffett lost $25 billion across 2008–09.

In October 2008, Buffett agreed to invest $3 billion in General Electric preferred stock, receiving favorable terms including options to buy three billion GE shares at $22.25 over five years and a 10% dividend yield. Early in 2009, he divested personal stakes in Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson. Though criticized for timing and maintaining large positions such as Coca-Cola—which peaked in value in 1998—Buffett acknowledged the difficulty of deciding when to sell amid market unpredictability.

By March 2009, Buffett remarked in an interview that the economy had "fallen off a cliff," highlighting drastic shifts in consumer habits and expressing concern about potential inflation reminiscent of the stagflation era of the 1970s.

Berkshire's Capital Expansion

In 2009, Buffett committed $2.6 billion during Swiss Re's equity capital increase. Prior to this, Berkshire Hathaway held a 3% ownership with options to raise its share beyond 20%. That same year, Buffett purchased Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. for $34 billion through a combination of cash and stock, marking a strategic move to broaden Berkshire’s portfolio beyond financial services. By mid-2009, Berkshire ranked as the eighteenth largest company worldwide based on market capitalization.

Buffett exited his unsuccessful stake in ConocoPhillips in 2009, acknowledging substantial losses attributed to ill-timed investments amid declining energy prices.

The acquisition of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) was finalized in early 2010 for approximately $44 billion, including $10 billion in debt, boosting Berkshire’s ownership to 22%.

In June 2010, Buffett publicly defended credit-rating agencies’ functions during the U.S. financial meltdown, attributing their shortcomings to widespread irrational exuberance typical of economic bubbles.

On March 18, 2011, the Federal Reserve approved Goldman Sachs’ repurchase of Berkshire’s preferred shares, which had been generating dividends of $1.4 million daily. Buffett expressed hesitation about surrendering this investment.

In November 2011, Buffett disclosed an unexpected $11 billion acquisition of a 5.5% stake in IBM, praising the company’s strong client loyalty and clear strategic vision despite his earlier reluctance toward technology sector investments.

By May 2012, Buffett had added Media General’s collection of 63 newspapers from the southeastern U.S. to Berkshire’s holdings—his second newspaper acquisition within twelve months. In July 2013, the Press of Atlantic City joined the BH Media Group portfolio under Berkshire. Buffett projected these newspaper assets would generate roughly a 10% annual return but would not materially affect Berkshire’s overall financial results.

During a September 2013 address at Georgetown University, Buffett compared the U.S. Federal Reserve to a hedge fund that generates significant revenue for the government and stressed the importance of addressing wealth disparities in society.

Following the Great Recession, Berkshire rebounded with strong earnings; its net profit reached a record $6.4 billion in Q2 2014. In August that year, Berkshire’s share price exceeded $200,000 apiece, valuing the firm at $328 billion. Despite philanthropic contributions, Buffett retained shares valued over $64 billion. That same month, Berkshire incurred an $896,000 penalty for delayed disclosure related to USG Corporation stock purchases.

A 2023 report by ProPublica accused Buffett of engaging in personal stock trades involving companies also traded by Berkshire within overlapping or recent quarters, raising potential conflict-of-interest issues. Transactions included sales of Johnson & Johnson, Walmart, and Wells Fargo amounting to $80 million between 2009 and 2012. Vice Chairman Charlie Munger dismissed these allegations as baseless.

At Berkshire Hathaway’s investor meeting on May 3, 2025, Buffett requested that Greg Abel be named CEO by year-end. On May 5, the company announced Abel’s appointment as president and CEO effective January 1, 2026; Buffett will continue as chairman.

Investment Philosophy

Buffett’s shareholder letters and annual reports demonstrate his narrative expertise and investment insights. He has persistently warned about inflation’s harmful impact:

In his essay "The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville", Buffett disputed the efficient-market hypothesis by asserting that consistent outperformance relative to the S&P 500 results from disciplined value investing rather than luck. He showcased notable investors influenced by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd such as Walter J. Schloss, Tom Knapp, Ed Anderson (Tweedy, Browne LLC), William J. Ruane (Sequoia Fund), Charlie Munger (his partner at Berkshire), Rick Guerin (Pacific Partners Ltd.), and Stan Perlmeter (Perlmeter Investments).

In a November 1999 Fortune feature, Buffett warned investors against harboring unrealistic expectations about stock market performance:

Index funds versus active management

Buffett recommends index funds for those investors who lack the time or inclination to engage in active portfolio management. He expresses skepticism about the ability of active managers to consistently beat market returns and encourages both individual and institutional investors to opt for low-cost index funds that track broad market indices. Buffett has observed that "when trillions of dollars are managed by Wall Street professionals charging high fees, it is typically the managers who benefit disproportionately, not the clients." In 2007, he wagered that a straightforward S&P 500 index fund would outperform hedge funds with substantial fees; by 2017, the index fund had indeed surpassed all hedge funds involved in the challenge.

Engagement with investment banks

Buffett holds a strong preference against utilizing investment bank services within Berkshire Hathaway. This viewpoint has been featured prominently in financial outlets such as Barron's, Insider, and Seeking Alpha. His reluctance stems from the belief that investment banking fees often erode shareholder value, which directly impacts Berkshire’s approach to negotiations and acquisition pricing.

Personal life

In 1949, Buffett purchased a ukulele to impress a young woman, igniting a lifelong passion for the instrument that eventually led him to Susan Thompson, whom he wed in 1952. Buffett frequently performs on the ukulele during shareholder meetings. The couple had three children: Susan Alice, Howard Graham, and Peter. Although they lived apart starting in 1977, they remained legally married until Susan’s passing in 2004. Their daughter Susan is actively involved in philanthropy through the Susan A. Buffett Foundation.

Buffett married Astrid Menks in 2006; she had been his companion since Susan’s departure in 1977. All three maintained close relationships, often sending joint Christmas cards signed “Warren, Susie and Astrid.”

In 2006, Buffett disowned his son Peter’s adopted daughter Nicole following her participation in a documentary addressing economic inequality but reconciled with her by 2022.

Buffett’s salary in 2006 was approximately $100,000, modest compared to executives at comparable companies. In 1958, he acquired a five-bedroom residence in Omaha for $31,500, where he continues to live. He previously owned a vacation home in Laguna Beach purchased for $150,000 in 1971 and sold for $7.5 million in 2018. In 1989, Berkshire Hathaway acquired a private jet nicknamed "The Indefensible," later renamed "The Indispensable." Buffett sold this jet by 1999 and generally utilizes Berkshire’s corporate flight services.

An enthusiastic bridge player, Buffett dedicates around twelve hours weekly to the game alongside Bill Gates and champion Sharon Osberg. He also sponsored the Buffett Cup bridge tournament, modeled after golf’s Ryder Cup.

A passionate supporter of Nebraska Cornhuskers football, Buffett actively promotes the team and was named honorary assistant coach in 2009. That same year, he was inducted into the American Philosophical Society.

Buffett contributed to the animated series "Secret Millionaires Club," which aims to enhance financial literacy among children.

Raised in the Presbyterian faith, Buffett now identifies as agnostic. Known for his frugal lifestyle, he avoided using mobile phones and computers until recent years; he transitioned from a Nokia flip phone to an iPhone 11 in 2020. He reads five newspapers daily, beginning with the Omaha World-Herald—acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 2011.

His annual shareholder meetings draw over 20,000 attendees globally and have been dubbed the "Woodstock of Capitalism." His shareholder letters combine business acumen with humor and cultural allusions.

In 2017, Buffett’s image appeared on Cherry Coke products sold in China without his permission or compensation. He shares a distant familial connection with former U.S. President Barack Obama.

Buffett maintained a long friendship with singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett until Jimmy’s death in 2023; they affectionately referred to each other as "Uncle Warren" and "Cousin Jimmy," though DNA tests confirmed no blood relation between them.

Health

Buffett abstains from alcohol. On April 11, 2012, a routine screening revealed he had stage I prostate cancer, leading to a daily radiation therapy regimen that began in mid-July and lasted for two months. He described his condition as "excellent—feeling as healthy and energetic as usual." By September 15, 2012, he had successfully finished the full 44-day treatment course.

Wealth and philanthropy

In 2008, Forbes ranked Buffett as the wealthiest individual worldwide, estimating his net worth at $62 billion. Following substantial charitable contributions, he became the second wealthiest person in the United States in 2009 with $37 billion, trailing only Bill Gates. By September 2013, his fortune had grown to $58.5 billion.

Honored as the Top Money Manager of the Twentieth Century in 1999, Buffett also featured on Time's list of the 100 Most Influential People in 2007 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. Alongside Bill Gates, he was recognized by Foreign Policy in 2010 as one of the most influential global thinkers.

Buffett maintains that while talent merits financial success in a market-driven economy, he plans to limit his heirs’ inheritances to foster self-motivation. In June 2006, he committed to donating 83% of his wealth—approximately 10 million Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares valued then near $30.7 billion—primarily to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, representing the largest philanthropic gift ever and positioning him as a pioneer in philanthrocapitalism. The timing of donations is linked to Gates’ ongoing engagement and charitable activities.

Although he joined the Gates Foundation’s board, Buffett chose not to take an active role in managing its investments and stepped down as trustee in June 2021. This marked a departure from earlier intentions to transfer most assets to his own foundation; notably, much of his late wife’s estate was allocated there.

Buffett has also contributed to several family-run foundations such as the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, Sherwood Foundation, Howard G. Buffett Foundation, NoVo Foundation, and supported philanthropic initiatives led by his sister Doris Buffett.

In November 2022, he donated $750 million in Berkshire Hathaway shares across four family-operated charitable organizations. By 2023, Buffett’s total philanthropic giving exceeded $50 billion.

In June 2025, Buffett gifted $6 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway shares to five charitable foundations—including the Gates Foundation—raising his cumulative donations beyond $60 billion.

He has raised millions for various causes like Girls, Inc. and the Glide Foundation by auctioning personal memorabilia and exclusive lunches with himself.

In December 2010, Buffett joined Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg to launch the "Gates-Buffett Giving Pledge," committing themselves to donate at least half their fortunes and encouraging other billionaires to follow suit.

Political and public policy views

Buffett has financially supported political campaigns, including endorsing Barack Obama in 2008 and participating in prominent fundraising events. During that election cycle, he criticized John McCain’s perspectives on social justice. Both Obama and McCain mentioned Buffett as a potential candidate for Secretary of the Treasury during their debates.

He provided counsel to Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger during California’s 2003 gubernatorial race. In December 2015, Buffett endorsed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. In 2016, after Donald Trump referenced him during a presidential debate, Buffett challenged Trump to disclose his tax returns publicly and revealed his own tax details.

Regarding the 2020 election, Buffett indicated he would evaluate President Trump based on outcomes related to security and economic growth before making a voting decision.

Health care

Buffett has criticized the unsustainable nature of U.S. healthcare spending—accounting for approximately 17% of GDP—and its detrimental impact on economic competitiveness. While supporting expanded coverage under President Obama's reforms, he pointed out flawed incentives such as fee-for-service models that promote unnecessary treatments. He referenced Atul Gawande’s research highlighting Medicare spending disparities and noted that medical industry lobbying often aims to protect revenue streams.

Curbing population growth

Concerned about uncontrolled population increases, Buffett joined other philanthropists like Oprah Winfrey and Michael Bloomberg in a group known as "The Good Club," which collectively donated $45 billion toward healthcare, education, and population control initiatives. His foundation alone has contributed over $1.5 billion toward abortion-related research including support for Planned Parenthood.

Taxes

Buffett has drawn attention to tax inequities where his effective federal tax rate (around 19% in 2006) was lower than many workers’, due largely to income derived from dividends and capital gains. He described this situation as "class warfare" favoring wealthy individuals who are "winning." He opposes eliminating inheritance taxes, warning such moves would foster a hereditary aristocracy instead of a merit-based society. Critics point out Berkshire Hathaway’s vested interest in maintaining estate taxes because of related insurance products.

He also opposes government involvement in gambling enterprises, labeling casinos as a "tax on ignorance."

Dollar and gold

Buffett engaged with foreign currency markets beginning around 2002 due to trade deficits but scaled back holdings by 2005 amid rising expenses. He remains pessimistic about the U.S. dollar's outlook and prefers investing in companies with substantial international revenue streams.

He criticizes gold investments for their lack of productivity—describing them as "extracted from the earth... melted down... then buried again"—and advocates for stocks as superior inflation hedges when purchased at reasonable valuations.

China

Buffett initially invested in PetroChina but exited before oil price drops affected valuations negatively. In October 2008, he acquired a $230 million stake (10%) in BYD Company Limited—a manufacturer specializing in electric vehicles and batteries—which yielded returns exceeding 500% within one year.

Tobacco

During the 1987 RJR Nabisco acquisition battle, Buffett acknowledged tobacco's advantages such as low production costs, addictive qualities, and strong brand loyalty but later expressed hesitance about holding large tobacco positions due to shifting societal views and uncertain future prospects.

Coal

Amid regulatory challenges and public opposition, Buffett’s PacifiCorp subsidiary withdrew six planned coal-fired power plants located between Utah sites from its resource strategy in 2007.

Renewable energy

Environmental advocates sought Buffett’s backing through PacifiCorp for removing hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River; however, final decisions were deferred to regulatory agencies like FERC without direct involvement from Buffett or his representatives.

Expensing of stock options

Buffett is a strong proponent of requiring companies to expense stock options on their income statements. At Berkshire Hathaway’s 2004 annual meeting, he condemned legislation proposing partial exclusion of stock option costs as comparable to legislatively altering Pi’s value.

High technology

As of May 2012, Buffett avoided investing in complex technology firms such as Facebook or Google due to challenges valuing their long-term prospects reliably. He recommended focusing on companies with enduring value over at least a decade rather than engaging in IPOs, which he generally considers poor investments.

Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies

In interviews conducted in January 2018, Buffett forecasted negative outcomes for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin—referring to Bitcoin as "rat poison squared"—although he refrained from taking short positions on bitcoin futures contracts.

COVID-19 pandemic

In June 2021 discussions, Buffett observed that COVID-19 worsened economic inequality and severely impacted numerous small businesses. He anticipated continued economic volatility during the post-pandemic recovery phase despite government interventions.

Film and television

Beyond numerous media appearances—including his first national television feature on Adam Smith’s Money World (1985)—Buffett has made cameo appearances in films such as Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), television series including The Office (U.S.), All My Children, and Entourage (2015). He appeared ten times on Charlie Rose and was profiled in documentaries like HBO’s Becoming Warren Buffett (2017) and BBC’s The World's Greatest Money Maker (2009).

Bibliography

Books about Buffett

By October 2008, at least forty-seven books featured Buffett’s name prominently in their titles—a quantity matched only by notable political leaders or religious figures according to Borders Books' CEO George Jones. Among these works, Buffett cites The Essays of Warren Buffett, a curated collection of his annual shareholder letters organized by Lawrence Cunningham, as his personal favorite.

Prominent titles include:

The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America, by Warren E. Buffett & Lawrence A. Cunningham.
Carol J. Loomis’ Tap Dancing to Work: Warren Buffett on Practically Everything.
Preston Pysh’s interactive guide Warren Buffett's Three Favorite Books.
Roger Lowenstein’s biography Buffett: Making of an American Capitalist.
Robert Hagstrom's investment manual The Warren Buffett Way.
Alice Schroeder’s authorized biography The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life.
Mary Buffett & David Clark’s series starting with Buffettology, which has sold over 1.5 million copies.
Janet Lowe’s compilation Warren Buffett Speaks: Wit and Wisdom from the World's Greatest Investor.
John Train’s strategic analysis The Midas Touch.
Andrew Kilpatrick’s extensive two-volume biography Of Permanent Value: The Story of Warren Buffett.
Robert P. Miles’ practical guidebook Warren Buffett Wealth.
John P. Reese’s investment strategy book The Guru Investor.
Janet M. Tavakoli’s investor-focused book Dear Mr. Buffett.
Vahan Janjigian’s critical examination titled Even Buffett Isn't Perfect.

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