History of Charlie Munger in Timeline

"Charles Thomas Munger was a prominent American figure in the business world, recognized for his roles as an investor, philanthropist, and vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway until his passing in 2023. His close partnership with Warren Buffett, who hailed him as a crucial architect of Berkshire Hathaway's business model, solidified his legacy as a key figure in the company's success."

January 1, 1924: Charles Munger was born

Charles Thomas Munger was born on January 1, 1924.

1943: Charles Munger drops out of University and joins U.S. Army Air Corps

At 19 years old, in 1943 Charles Munger left the University of Michigan to join the U.S. Army Air Corps.

1945: Marriage to Nancy Huggins

In 1945, while at Caltech, Charles Munger married Nancy Huggins, his sister's former roommate at Scripps College.

1948: Charles Munger Graduates Harvard Law

In 1948, Charles Munger graduated magna cum laude with a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

1962: Charles Munger founds Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP

Charles Munger founds Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, a real estate law firm in 1962.

1962: Charles Munger co-founds Wheeler, Munger, and Company

In 1962, Charles Munger partnered with Jack Wheeler to form Wheeler, Munger, and Company, an investment firm.

1972: Wendy Munger graduates from Stanford

Charles Munger's daughter, Wendy Munger, graduated from Stanford University in 1972.

1973: Wheeler, Munger, and Company loses 32%

In 1973, Charles Munger's investment firm, Wheeler, Munger, and Company lost 32% of its value.

1974: Wheeler, Munger, and Company loses 31%

In 1974, Charles Munger's investment firm, Wheeler, Munger, and Company lost 31% of its value.

1976: Wheeler, Munger, and Company dissolves

After suffering large losses in 1973 and 1974, Charles Munger's firm Wheeler, Munger, and Company was dissolved.

1978: Charles Munger becomes vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway

In 1978 Charles Munger became vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, a position he held until 2023.

1984: Charles Munger becomes chairman of Wesco Financial Corporation

In 1984, Charles Munger became chairman of Wesco Financial Corporation, a position he would hold until 2011.

1984: Warren Buffet publishes "The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville"

Warren Buffet published "The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville" in 1984, in which he mentions Charles Munger's investment partnership.

1995: Charles Munger gives "The Psychology of Human Misjudgment" talk

Charles Munger gave a talk at Harvard titled "The Psychology of Human Misjudgment" in 1995.

1995: Opening of Munger Science Center

The Munger Science Center, a $13 million, two-story classroom and laboratory building at the Harvard-Westlake high school campus, opened in 1995. The design was significantly influenced by Charles Munger.

1997: Charles Munger and wife Nancy donate $1.8 million to Marlborough School

Charles Munger and his wife, Nancy, donated $1.8 million to the Marlborough School in Los Angeles in 1997.

July 22, 2002: Death of Nancy Huggins Freeman

On July 22, 2002, Charles Munger's first wife, Nancy Huggins Freeman, passed away from cancer at 76.

2004: Donation for Munger Graduate Residence

In 2004, the Mungers donated Berkshire Hathaway Class A stock valued at $43.5 million to Stanford University to construct a graduate student housing complex.

2005: Publication of "Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger"

The book, "Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger" is published in 2005.

2006: Donation for Harvard-Westlake Middle School

In 2006, Charles Munger donated Berkshire Hathaway Class A stock valued at $9.2 million to Harvard-Westlake School for a building campaign at the middle school.

2007: Charles Munger donates $3 million to University of Michigan Law School

Charles Munger donated $3 million to the University of Michigan Law School for lighting improvements in 2007.

2007: Author Peter Bevelin interviewed about "Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger"

Peter Bevelin is interviewed about his book, "Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger", in which he discusses the philosophy of Charles Munger and Warren Buffet in 2007.

2007: Financial Crisis of 2007-2008

The financial crisis of 2007-2008 began, which Charles Munger would later discuss in a 2010 talk.

2009: Charles Munger espouses the importance of ethics in business

At the 2009 Wesco Financial Corporation meeting, Charles Munger states that "Good businesses are ethical businesses. A business model that relies on trickery is doomed to fail."

2009: Donation to Harvard-Westlake

In 2009, Charles Munger donated eight shares of Berkshire Hathaway Class A stock, valued at nearly $800,000, to Harvard-Westlake School.

2009: Opening of Munger Graduate Residence

In 2009, The Munger Graduate Residence at Stanford University, funded and designed by Charles Munger, opened to house 600 law and graduate students.

January 19, 2010: Charles Munger gives talk at Harvard-Westlake School

Charles Munger spoke at Harvard-Westlake school during which he discussed the philosophy of Charles Frankel on January 19, 2010.

February 6, 2010: Death of Nancy Barry Munger

On February 6, 2010, Charles Munger's second wife, Nancy Barry Munger, died at 86.

December 28, 2011: Charles Munger donates Berkshire Hathaway stock to University of Michigan

Charles Munger donated 10 shares of Berkshire Hathaway Class A stock to the University of Michigan on December 28, 2011.

2011: Charles Munger donates $20 million to University of Michigan Law School

Charles Munger donated $20 million to the University of Michigan Law School for renovations in 2011.

2011: Charles Munger steps down as chairman of Wesco Financial Corporation

Charles Munger stepped down from his role as chairman of Wesco Financial Corporation in 2011.

2011: Final Futile Finance? meeting notes posted

Notes from Charles Munger's Wesco Financial Corporation shareholder meeting are posted on the website "Futile Finance?" for the last time in 2011.

April 18, 2013: Gift to the University of Michigan

On April 18, 2013, the University of Michigan announced a $110 million donation from Charles Munger, the largest single gift in the university's history, to build a new residence hall designed to foster a community of scholars.

October 2014: Donation to Kavli Institute

In October 2014, Charles Munger announced a $65 million donation to the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, the largest gift in the school's history, to construct a residence building designed by Munger for visiting physicists.

2015: Opening of Munger Graduate Residences

In 2015, the Munger Graduate Residences at the University of Michigan opened, housing 600 single bedrooms in a building designed by Charles Munger.

March 2016: Gift and Plans for Munger Hall

In March 2016, Charles Munger announced a $200 million donation to UC Santa Barbara, contingent on using the funds to construct Munger Hall, an undergraduate dormitory following Munger's unconventional design preferences.

October 2021: Resignation of Dennis McFadden

In October 2021, architect Dennis McFadden resigned from UC Santa Barbara's Design Review Committee due to disagreements with Munger's design for Munger Hall, citing concerns about the windowless design's impact on student well-being.

August 2023: Abandonment of Munger Hall Project

In August 2023, after facing criticism over the "windowless dorm," UC Santa Barbara abandoned the Munger Hall project and began seeking alternative housing proposals. Charles Munger also retracted his funding pledge.

November 28, 2023: Charles Munger passed away

Charles Munger passed away on November 28, 2023. He was the vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway from 1978 until his death.

2023: Charles Munger's last interview

Charles Munger credits his success to his cautious nature in his final interview with CNBC in 2023.

2023: Gift to the Huntington Library

In 2023, Charles Munger donated Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares worth over $40.3 million to the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Museum in San Marino, California.