Career Timeline of Warren Buffett: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Warren Buffett built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Warren Buffett is a highly successful American investor and philanthropist, serving as the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Renowned for his investment acumen, he's considered one of America's most prominent investors. As of May 2025, his estimated net worth of $160.2 billion ranks him as the fifth-richest person globally.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1944: First Income Tax Return Deduction

In 1944, Warren Buffett, on his first income tax return, took a $35 deduction for the use of his bicycle and watch on his paper route.

1945: Pinball Machine Business

In 1945, Warren Buffett and a friend bought a used pinball machine for $25 and placed it in a barber shop, eventually owning several machines before selling the business for $1,200.

1951: Worked at Buffett-Falk & Co.

From 1951, Warren Buffett worked at his father's firm, Buffett-Falk & Co., as an investment salesman.

1951: First Purchase of GEICO Stock

In 1951, Warren Buffett visited GEICO's headquarters and met Lorimer Davidson, GEICO's vice president, which led to Buffett's first purchase of GEICO stock.

1954: Worked at Graham-Newman Corp.

From 1954, Warren Buffett worked at Graham-Newman Corp. as a securities analyst.

1954: Job at Benjamin Graham's Partnership

In 1954, Warren Buffett accepted a job at Benjamin Graham's partnership with a starting salary of $12,000 a year.

1956: General Partner at Investment Partnerships

From 1956, Warren Buffett worked as the general partner at several investment partnerships.

1956: Graham's Retirement

In 1956, Benjamin Graham retired and closed his partnership, leading Warren Buffett to return to Omaha and start his investment partnerships.

1956: Created Buffett Partnership Ltd.

In 1956, Warren Buffett created Buffett Partnership Ltd. after working at Graham-Newman Corp. as a securities analyst.

1957: Operated Investment Partnerships

In 1957, Warren Buffett operated three investment partnerships.

1958: Sanborn Stock Value

In 1958, Sanborn stock sold for $45 per share, but the company's investment portfolio was worth $65 per share.

1959: Met Charlie Munger

In 1959, Warren Buffett was introduced to his future partner Charlie Munger during a business luncheon at The Omaha Club.

1961: Investment in Sanborn Map Company

In 1961, Warren Buffett revealed that 35% of his partnership's assets were invested in the Sanborn Map Company and purchased 23% of the company's outstanding shares, eventually obtaining a seat on the board of directors.

1962: Became a Millionaire

In 1962, Warren Buffett became a millionaire with the success of his partnerships, which by then had grown to 11 entities. He also started investing in Berkshire Hathaway.

1965: Took Control of Berkshire Hathaway

In 1965, Warren Buffett's partnerships began purchasing Berkshire Hathaway shares aggressively, paying $14.86 per share, and Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway at a board meeting.

1966: Closed Partnership to New Money

In 1966, Warren Buffett closed his investment partnership to new money.

1967: First and Only Dividend Payout

In 1967, Berkshire Hathaway paid out its first and only dividend of 10 cents.

1969: End of Investment Partnerships

In 1969, Warren Buffett ended working as the general partner at several investment partnerships.

1969: Liquidated Partnership

In 1969, Warren Buffett liquidated his investment partnership and transferred the assets to his partners.

1970: Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

From 1970, Warren Buffett worked as chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

1970: Became Chairman and Majority Shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway

In 1970, Warren Buffett emerged as the chairman and majority shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway, a textile manufacturing firm his investment firm acquired.

1970: Buffett Presided as Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway

Since 1970, Warren Buffett has presided as the chairman and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway.

1973: Began Acquiring Stock in Washington Post Company

In 1973, Berkshire Hathaway began to acquire stock in the Washington Post Company.

1977: Purchase of Buffalo Evening News

In 1977, Berkshire Hathaway indirectly purchased the Buffalo Evening News for $32.5 million, leading to antitrust charges.

1977: Statement About Stocks, Gold, Farmland and Inflation

In 1977, Warren Buffett made a statement regarding stocks, gold, farmland and inflation.

1978: Charlie Munger Joined Berkshire Hathaway

In 1978, Charlie Munger joined Warren Buffett as vice-chairman of Berkshire Hathaway.

1979: Berkshire Acquired Stock in ABC

In 1979, Berkshire Hathaway began to acquire stock in ABC.

1982: Buffalo Courier-Express Folded

In 1982, The Buffalo Courier-Express folded after antitrust charges related to Berkshire's purchase of the Buffalo Evening News.

March 18, 1985: Capital Cities Purchased ABC

On March 18, 1985, Capital Cities announced a $3.5 billion purchase of ABC, with Buffett helping to finance the deal in return for a 25% stake in the combined company.

1985: First Television Appearance on Adam Smith's Money World

In 1985, Warren Buffet made his first television appearance on Adam Smith's Money World.

1985: Sold Last of Textile Mills

In 1985, Warren Buffett sold the last of the textile mills that had been the core business of Berkshire Hathaway.

1987: Quotation during RJR Nabisco Takeover Fight

During the RJR Nabisco, Inc., hostile takeover fight in 1987, Buffett was quoted as telling John Gutfreund.

1987: Purchased Stake in Salomon Inc.

In 1987, Berkshire Hathaway purchased a 12% stake in Salomon Inc., making Warren Buffett a director.

1988: Began Buying Coca-Cola Stock

In 1988, Warren Buffett began buying The Coca-Cola Company stock, eventually purchasing up to 7% of the company for $1.02 billion. It would turn out to be one of Berkshire's most lucrative investments and one which it still holds.

1989: Purchase of Private Jet

In 1989, Warren Buffett purchased a private jet for nearly $6.7 million and named it "The Indefensible," later renamed "The Indispensable".

1994: Statement at Berkshire Hathaway Meeting about Investments in Tobacco

Speaking at Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s 1994 annual meeting, Warren Buffett shared his perspective on investments in tobacco.

1996: Buffett's Letter to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders

In a 1996 letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, Warren Buffett stated "If you aren't willing to own a stock for ten years, don't even think about owning it for ten minutes"

1998: Coca-Cola Peaked at $86

In 1998, The Coca-Cola Company, one of Berkshire's major holdings, peaked at $86, raising questions about when to sell such holdings.

1998: Acquired General Re

In 1998, Warren Buffett acquired General Re (Gen Re) as a subsidiary, which presented difficulties due to inadequate underwriting standards.

1998: Critique of Gold as an Investment

In a 1998 address at Harvard, Warren Buffett expressed criticism of gold as an investment, stating that it is based primarily on its non-productive nature.

November 1999: Buffett Warns of Unrealistic Expectations

In his November 1999 Fortune article, Warren Buffett warned of investors' unrealistic expectations.

1999: Top Money Manager of the Twentieth Century

In 1999, Warren Buffett was named the Top Money Manager of the Twentieth Century in a survey by the Carson Group, surpassing Peter Lynch and John Templeton.

1999: Sale of Private Jet

Prior to mid-1999, Warren Buffett sold the private jet named "The Indefensible" and began utilizing Berkshire's flight services.

2000: Comparison of Inheritance Tax to Olympic Team Selection

In 2020, Buffett stated that repealing inheritance tax would be like "choosing the 2020 Olympic team by picking the eldest sons of the gold-medal winners in the 2000 Olympics".

2002: Buffett Enters Currency Contracts

In 2002, Buffett entered into $11 billion worth of forward contracts to deliver U.S. dollars against other currencies.

2002: Entry into Foreign Currency Market

In 2002, Buffett entered the foreign currency market for the first time due to the trade deficit.

2002: Involved with Maurice R. Greenberg at AIG

In 2002, Warren Buffett became involved with Maurice R. Greenberg at AIG, after which Gen Re provided reinsurance.

2002: Advisor to Nuclear Threat Initiative

In 2002, Warren Buffett began serving as an advisor to the Nuclear Threat Initiative in Washington.

2004: Advocacy for Stock Option Expensing

At the 2004 annual meeting, Buffett advocated for stock option expensing on corporate income statements and criticized a bill before Congress that would consider only some company-issued stock options compensation as an expense.

2004: Bequest to Buffett Foundation

In 2004, the bulk of Susan Buffett's estate, valued at $2.6 billion, went to the Buffett Foundation.

2004: Buffett Discusses Difficulties of Knowing When to Sell

In the 2004 annual report, Warren Buffett discussed the challenges of knowing when to sell company holdings.

March 15, 2005: Greenberg Resigns from AIG

On March 15, 2005, the AIG board compelled Greenberg to resign from his position as chairman and CEO following allegations by New York state regulators that AIG engaged in questionable transactions and improper accounting practices.

2005: Reduced Stake in Foreign Currency Market

In 2005, Buffett substantially reduced his stake in the foreign currency market as changing interest rates increased the costs of holding currency contracts. Buffett remained bearish on the dollar and looked to acquire companies with substantial foreign revenues.

April 2006: Gain on Currency Contracts

By April 2006, Buffett's total gain on forward contracts to deliver U.S. dollars against other currencies exceeded $2 billion.

June 2006: Buffett Announces Charitable Giving

In June 2006, Buffett announced that he would gradually donate 85% of his Berkshire holdings to five foundations, with the largest portion going to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, starting in July 2006.

June 2006: Charitable Giving Plan Announcement

In June 2006, Warren Buffett announced a plan to give 83% of his fortune to charity, primarily to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

June 23, 2006: Pledge to Gates Foundation

On June 23, 2006, Warren Buffett pledged the equivalent of 10 million Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares (worth approximately $30.7 billion) to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, making it the largest charitable donation in history.

July 2006: Start of Charitable Donations

Starting in July 2006, Warren Buffett began gradually giving away 85% of his Berkshire holdings to five foundations in annual gifts of stock, with the largest contribution going to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

2006: Auction of 2001 Lincoln Town Car

In 2006, Warren Buffett auctioned his 2001 Lincoln Town Car on eBay to raise money for Girls, Inc.

2006: Annual Salary

In 2006, Warren Buffett's annual salary was about $100,000, which is a relatively small amount compared to other senior executives in similar companies.

2007: Search for Successor

In 2007, Buffett announced in a letter to shareholders that he was seeking a younger individual or individuals to succeed him in running his investment business.

2007: Testimony on Preserving the Estate Tax

In 2007, Buffett testified before the Senate, urging them to preserve the estate tax to avoid a plutocracy. Some critics argued Berkshire Hathaway benefited from the estate tax in past business dealings and had developed and marketed insurance policies to protect policy holders against future estate tax payments.

2007: Cancellation of Coal-Fired Power Plants

In 2007, Buffett's PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of his MidAmerican Energy Company, canceled six proposed coal-fired power plants, including Utah's Intermountain Power Project Unit 3 and Jim Bridger Unit 5, due to pressure from regulators and citizen groups.

2007: Auction Luncheon for Glide Foundation

In 2007, Warren Buffett auctioned a luncheon with himself that raised $650,100 for the Glide Foundation.

2007: Buffett's Bet on Index Funds

In 2007, Warren Buffett made a bet with numerous managers that a simple S&P 500 index fund would outperform hedge funds that charge exorbitant fees.

2007: Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2007, Warren Buffett was listed among Time's 100 Most Influential People in the world, recognizing his global impact.

September 23, 2008: Berkshire Hathaway Acquires Goldman Sachs Stock

On September 23, 2008, Berkshire Hathaway acquired 10 percent of perpetual preferred stock of Goldman Sachs.

October 2008: Buffett Buys General Electric Preferred Stock

In October 2008, Buffett agreed to buy General Electric (GE) preferred stock with special incentives, including an option to buy three billion shares of GE stock and a 10% dividend.

October 2008: Investment in BYD Company

In October 2008, Buffett invested $230 million for 10% of battery maker BYD Company, which also operates an electric automobile manufacturing subsidiary. In less than one year, the investment reaped over 500% return.

2008: Total Compensation

In 2008, Warren Buffett earned a total compensation of $175,000, including a base salary of $100,000.

2008: Buffett's Opinion Piece and Market Downturn

In 2008, Warren Buffett published an opinion piece in the New York Times with the message "Buy American. I am." He also referred to the downturn in the financial sector that started in 2007 as "poetic justice."

2008: Richest Person in the World

In 2008, Warren Buffett was ranked by Forbes as the richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of approximately $62 billion.

February 2009: Buffett Sells Shares from Personal Portfolio

In February 2009, Buffett sold some Procter & Gamble Co. and Johnson & Johnson shares from his personal portfolio, leading to questions about mistiming and the wisdom of keeping some of Berkshire's major holdings.

March 2009: Buffett Comments on Economy and Inflation

In March 2009, Warren Buffett stated in a cable television interview that the economy had "fallen off a cliff" and expressed fears of a re-emergence of 1970s-style inflation.

June 2009: Berkshire Hathaway Ranked as Eighteenth Largest Corporation

As of June 2009, Berkshire Hathaway was the eighteenth largest corporation in the world based on market capitalization in the Financial Times Global 500.

2009: Critique of U.S. Medical Industry Incentives

In 2009, Buffett criticized the U.S. medical industry's incentive structure, arguing that fee-for-service reimbursements to doctors lead to overutilization and unnecessary care. He referenced Atul Gawande's article in the New Yorker, which documented variations in Medicare expenditures between McAllen and El Paso, Texas. He also raised concerns about lobbying efforts by the medical industry to maintain income.

2009: Buffett Divests from ConocoPhillips

In 2009, Warren Buffett divested his failed investment in ConocoPhillips, sharing his reasoning with Berkshire investors.

2009: Meeting with Billionaires to Discuss Global Issues

In 2009, Warren Buffett met with other billionaires, including Oprah Winfrey, Michael Bloomberg and David Rockefeller Jr., to discuss healthcare, education, and slowing population growth. This group, referred to as "The Good Club", had given away $45 billion to philanthropic causes. Buffett is a long-time supporter of family planning. The Buffett Foundation has given over $1.5 billion to abortion research to include $427 million to Planned Parenthood.

2009: Buffett Sold Shares of Johnson and Johnson

In 2009, Warren Buffett sold shares of Johnson & Johnson, part of a series of sales between 2009 and 2012 that totaled $80 million.

2009: Second Richest Man in the United States

In 2009, after donating billions to charity, Warren Buffett was ranked as the second richest man in the United States with a net worth of $37 billion, surpassed only by Bill Gates.

June 2010: Buffett Defends Credit-Rating Agencies

In June 2010, Warren Buffett defended the credit-rating agencies for their role in the U.S. financial crisis.

December 9, 2010: Signing of the Giving Pledge

On December 9, 2010, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg signed the "Gates-Buffett Giving Pledge," promising to donate at least half of their wealth to charity and inviting others to join.

2010: Criticism of U.S. Healthcare Costs

In 2010, Warren Buffett criticized the U.S. healthcare system, stating that it was unsustainable to devote 17% of the GDP to healthcare expenditure. He compared healthcare costs to a tapeworm that compromises U.S. economic competitiveness. While acknowledging the U.S. excels in extreme, costly life-prolonging measures, he noted other countries achieve better healthcare value with lower spending.

2010: Founded the Giving Pledge

In 2010, Warren Buffett founded the Giving Pledge with Bill Gates, encouraging billionaires to donate at least half of their wealth to philanthropic causes.

2010: Most Influential Global Thinker

In 2010, Warren Buffett, along with Bill Gates, was named the most influential global thinker in Foreign Policy's report, acknowledging his impact on global issues.

2010: Merger with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Closed

In 2010, the merger with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) closed upon BNSF shareholder approval during Q1. This deal was valued at approximately $44 billion.

March 18, 2011: Goldman Sachs Approved to Buy Back Berkshire's Preferred Stock

On March 18, 2011, Goldman Sachs was given Federal Reserve approval to buy back Berkshire's preferred stock in Goldman.

November 2011: Buffett Invests in IBM

In November 2011, it was announced that over the previous eight months, Buffett had bought 64 million shares of International Business Machine Corp (IBM) stock, worth around $11 billion.

2011: Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded Warren Buffett the Presidential Medal of Freedom, honoring his significant contributions to the nation.

2011: Acquisition of Omaha World Herald

In 2011, Warren Buffett's company acquired the Omaha World Herald, which he reads daily.

May 2012: Avoidance of High-Technology Stocks

In May 2012, Buffett explained he had avoided buying stock in high-technology companies like Facebook and Google because they are complex and difficult to understand. He also advised that IPO's of new stock issues are almost always bad investments and that investors should look for companies that will have good value in ten years.

May 2012: Buffett's Acquisition of Media General Announced

In May 2012, Warren Buffett's acquisition of Media General, consisting of 63 newspapers in the south-eastern U.S., was announced. The company was the second news print purchase made by Buffett in one year.

2012: Buffett Sold Shares of Walmart and Wells Fargo

In 2012, Warren Buffett sold shares of Walmart and Wells Fargo, part of a series of sales between 2009 and 2012 that totaled $80 million.

May 2013: Buffett Discusses Newspaper Acquisitions

At the Berkshire shareholders meeting in May 2013, Warren Buffett explained that he did not expect to "move the needle" at Berkshire with newspaper acquisitions but anticipated an annual return of 10 percent.

July 18, 2013: Press of Atlantic City Sold to BH Media Group

On July 18, 2013, Interim publisher James W. Hopson announced that the Press of Atlantic City would be sold to Buffett's BH Media Group by ABARTA.

September 2013: Net Worth

As of September 2013, Warren Buffett's net worth had risen to $58.5 billion, solidifying his position as one of the wealthiest individuals.

September 2013: Buffett Presents to Georgetown University Students

In late September 2013, during a presentation to Georgetown University students in Washington, D.C., Warren Buffett compared the U.S. Federal Reserve to a hedge fund and discussed the issue of wealth equality.

December 9, 2013: Berkshire Hathaway Purchase of Shares in USG Corporation

On December 9, 2013 Berkshire Hathaway purchased shares in USG Corporation.

August 14, 2014: Berkshire Hathaway Shares Hit $200,000

On August 14, 2014, the price of Berkshire Hathaway's shares hit $200,000 a share for the first time, capitalizing the company at $328 billion.

2017: Index Fund Outperforms Hedge Funds

By 2017, Warren Buffett's chosen index fund was outperforming every hedge fund that took the bet against him, proving his point.

January 2018: Warning About Cryptocurrency Craze

In January 2018, Warren Buffet said the recent craze over Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies would not end well, adding that "when it happens or how or anything else, I don't know;" and later that year calling it, "rat poison squared." He said he would not take a short position on bitcoin futures.

2020: Comparison of Inheritance Tax to Olympic Team Selection

In 2020, Buffett stated that repealing inheritance tax would be like "choosing the 2020 Olympic team by picking the eldest sons of the gold-medal winners in the 2000 Olympics".

June 2021: Comments on the Economic Impact of COVID-19

In a June 2021 interview with CNBC, Warren Buffet said that the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has increased economic inequality and bemoaned that most people are unaware that "hundreds of thousands or millions" of small businesses have been negatively impacted. He also stated that the markets and the economy will likely be unpredictable well into the post-pandemic recovery period, even with the Biden administration and the United States Federal Reserve having a plan in place. He said the unpredictability and the effects of COVID-19 are far from over.

June 23, 2021: Resignation as Trustee of Gates Foundation

On June 23, 2021, Warren Buffett announced his resignation as a trustee of the Gates Foundation, marking a shift in his philanthropic strategy.

November 2022: Donation to Charitable Foundations

In November 2022, Warren Buffett donated $750 million in Berkshire Hathaway shares to four charitable foundations run by his children.

2023: Total Charitable Donations

As of 2023, Warren Buffett has given over $50 billion to charitable causes, marking a significant milestone in his philanthropic efforts.

2024: Partnership Value in 2024

In 1962, Buffett's partnerships held nearly $7.2 million, of which more than $1,025,000 (equivalent to $10,650,000 in 2024) belonged to Buffett.

May 3, 2025: Requested Board to Appoint Greg Abel as CEO

On May 3, 2025, at Berkshire Hathaway's investor conference, Warren Buffett requested that the board appoint Greg Abel to succeed him as the company's chief executive officer by the year's end.

May 5, 2025: Greg Abel Appointed President and CEO

On May 5, 2025, Berkshire Hathaway announced the appointment of Greg Abel as president and CEO, effective January 1, 2026, with Warren Buffett remaining chairman.