Warren Buffett is a renowned American businessman and philanthropist, best known as the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.
With a net worth of approximately $147 billion at the time of publishing this article, he ranks among the world’s wealthiest individuals.
He has pledged to donate 99% of his fortune to charitable causes, primarily through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Siblings
Warren has two siblings, an older sister, Doris Buffett, and a younger sister, Roberta “Bertie” Buffett.
Doris, born in 1928, was a dedicated philanthropist known for her work with the Sunshine Lady Foundation and the Letters Foundation, which she co-founded with Warren.
She passed away in 202035. Bertie, born in 1933, is also recognized for her philanthropic efforts and has been described by Warren as a model investor.
She has made significant contributions to various causes and is a long-term shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway.
Entrepreneurial career
Buffett’s entrepreneurial journey began in childhood, where he displayed a remarkable business acumen at a young age.
He embarked on his first ventures by selling chewing gum and soft drinks door-to-door, and by the age of 11, he made his first stock purchase, acquiring three shares of Cities Service Preferred for $38 each.
Additionally, Buffett earned money delivering newspapers, which allowed him to save up for further investments, demonstrating an early understanding of financial principles.
In 1956, Buffett launched Buffett Partnership Ltd., a limited partnership that enabled him to pool capital from family and friends to invest in undervalued stocks.
His investment strategy during this time focused on acquiring stocks that were undervalued relative to their intrinsic worth, a practice he described as “cigar-butt investing.”
This approach involved buying companies that had a few good “puffs” left before they declined.
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Buffett’s career took a significant turn when he began purchasing shares in Berkshire Hathaway, a struggling textile manufacturer, starting in 1962.
By 1965, he had taken control of the company and recognized the decline of the textile industry.
Instead of continuing down that path, he pivoted Berkshire Hathaway into a diversified holding company.
He strategically invested in insurance companies like GEICO and expanded into utilities and various other sectors.
Some of Buffett’s most notable investments include Coca-Cola and Apple Inc.
His purchase of a significant stake in Coca-Cola in 1988 has yielded substantial returns over the years.
More recently, his investment in Apple showcased his ability to recognize strong brand loyalty and market position.
Under Buffett’s leadership, Berkshire Hathaway has grown into one of the largest companies globally, boasting a diverse portfolio that includes well-known brands such as Dairy Queen, See’s Candies, and BNSF Railway.
Philanthropy
Buffett is renowned for his extensive philanthropic efforts, committing a significant portion of his wealth to charitable causes.
Annually, he donates approximately $5.3 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock to five major charities, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has been a consistent recipient of his generosity since 2006.
Over his lifetime, Buffett has pledged to donate 99% of his wealth, emphasizing his belief in giving back to society.
Buffett co-founded The Giving Pledge with Bill and Melinda Gates in 2010, encouraging billionaires to commit at least half of their wealth to philanthropy during their lifetimes or in their wills.
His donations have primarily focused on issues such as poverty, healthcare, and education globally.
In addition to the Gates Foundation, Buffett supports several foundations established by his children, including the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, which provides scholarships for low-income students in Nebraska.
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