United StatesBuilt it up
Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway in 1965 and ran it as an insurance-based holding company until 2025; nearly all of his fortune is his Berkshire stock, which he is giving away in yearly instalments.
- Forbes estimate
- $151B
- Forbes, 17 Oct 2026
- Forbes rank
- No. 9
- 1 Mar 2026
- Stake in Berkshire Hathaway
- 13.2%
- Net worth, Bloomberg
- $147B
- Bloomberg, 9 Oct 2026
- Born
- 30 Aug 1930
- Omaha, Nebraska, United States
- Education
- Graduate degree
- Bachelor's degree, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Master of Science, Columbia University
- Giving Pledge
- Signed in 2010
Where the fortune sits
Berkshire Hathaway stock
Berkshire Hathaway
insurance, railroads, utilities and holdings, founded 1955
29.7% of the votes
Economic interest across both classes: 188,290 Class A and 1,162 Class B shares
Schedule 13D/A, 15 Jul 2026
Chairman Emeritus and director (since September 18, 2026)
Where Warren stands among 73
Everyone on the site, grouped by their answer. Warren Buffett is outlined.
How the fortune started
Built it up
Built it up 8
Founded it 42
Inherited and grew it 12
Inherited it 6
Through marriage 5
Industry
Finance
Finance 10
Technology 24
Several industries 9
Metals and mining 6
Retail 4
Fashion and beauty 4
Media 3
Food and drink 3
Shipping 3
Crypto 2
Oil, gas and chemicals 2
Healthcare 1
Casinos and resorts 1
Property and sports 1
Giving Pledge
Signed
Signed 11
Not a signer 61
Not stated 1
Education
Graduate degree
Graduate degree 24
Bachelor's degree 27
Left university without a degree 6
No university 5
Not stated 11
Role today
Chair, board or owner
Chair, board or owner 25
Runs the company 32
Founder, no executive role 8
No role 4
Retired 4
The person
- Born
- 30 Aug 1930Omaha, Nebraska, United States
- Citizenship
- United States
- Lives in
- Omaha, Nebraska, United States
- Education
- Graduate degreeBachelor's degree, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Master of Science, Columbia University
- Parents
- His father, Howard, worked in the investment business and was elected to Congress in 1942; his paternal grandparents had a grocery business
What they give
- Giving Pledge
- Signed in 2010Co-founded the Giving Pledge with Bill and Melinda Gates
- Foundation
- Berkshire stock gifts to the Gates Foundation and four family foundationsSince 2006 he has given Berkshire stock to the Gates Foundation and to the Susan Thompson Buffett, Sherwood, Howard G. Buffett and NoVo foundations
- Lifetime giving
- $72BForbes, 15 Sep 2026. Forbes: 'So far he has given away more than $72 billion, mostly through the Gates Foundation and his kids' foundations'. The Gates Foundation reports $47.9 billion from him through 2025
Role and record
- Role now
- On the boardChairman Emeritus and director of Berkshire Hathaway
- Successor
- Greg Abel (CEO since January 1, 2026); Howard G. Buffett (chairman since September 18, 2026)
- Public office
- None found
- Legal record
- None found
