History of Warren Buffett in Timeline
Warren Buffett, a highly successful American investor and philanthropist, is renowned as the chairman and former CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. His investment acumen has made him one of the world's most recognized investors. As of January 2026, his estimated net worth of $148.9 billion ranks him among the wealthiest individuals globally.
August 30, 1930: Warren Buffett's birth
On August 30, 1930, Warren Edward Buffett was born. He is an American investor and philanthropist, and the chairman and former CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.
August 30, 1930: Warren Buffett Born in Omaha, Nebraska
Warren Buffett was born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Congressman Howard Buffett and his wife, Leila Buffett.
1942: Father Elected to Congress
In 1942, Warren Buffett's father, Howard Buffett, was elected to the United States Congress, leading the family to move to Washington, D.C.
1944: First Income Tax Return
In 1944, Warren Buffett filed his first income tax return and took a $35 deduction for the use of his bicycle and watch on his paper route.
1945: Purchased Pinball Machine
In 1945, Warren Buffett and a friend spent $25 to purchase a used pinball machine, placing it in a local barber shop and expanding to multiple locations.
1947: Sold Pinball Business
In 1947, Warren Buffett and his friend sold their pinball machine business to a war veteran for $1,200.
1947: Matriculated at the Wharton School
In 1947, Warren Buffett enrolled at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, before transferring to the University of Nebraska.
1947: Enrolled in Wharton School
In 1947, Warren Buffett entered the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, showcasing his early interest in business, before later graduating from the University of Nebraska and Columbia Business School.
1947: Graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School
In 1947, Warren Buffett graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, where his senior yearbook mentioned his interest in math and future as a stockbroker.
1949: Ukulele Purchase
In 1949, Warren Buffett bought a ukulele to impress a young woman, which ultimately led to his lifelong interest in the instrument and later played a part in his marriage to Susan Thompson.
1950: Rejected by Harvard Business School
In the spring of 1950, Warren Buffett was rejected by Harvard Business School, which led him to enroll at Columbia Business School.
1951: Worked at Buffett-Falk & Co.
From 1951, Warren Buffett worked as an investment salesman at his father's firm, Buffett-Falk & Co.
1951: First GEICO stock purchase
In 1951, Warren Buffett discovered that Graham was on the board of GEICO insurance and after meeting Lorimer Davidson, GEICO's vice president, Buffett made his first purchase of GEICO stock.
1951: Graduated from Columbia Business School
In 1951, Warren Buffett graduated from Columbia Business School with a Master of Science in Economics, influenced by Benjamin Graham's teachings.
1952: Marriage to Susan Thompson
In 1952, Warren Buffett married Susan Thompson at Dundee Presbyterian Church.
1954: Worked at Graham-Newman Corp.
From 1954, Warren Buffett worked as a securities analyst at Graham-Newman Corp.
1954: Accepted 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.
1954: Birth of Son Howard
In 1954, Warren Buffett and Susan Thompson had their second child, a son named Howard.
1956: General partner at several investment partnerships
From 1956, Warren Buffett was the general partner at several investment partnerships.
1956: Benjamin Graham retired and closed his partnership
In 1956, Benjamin Graham retired and closed his partnership, leading Warren Buffett to return to Omaha and start a series of investment partnerships with personal savings over $174,000.
1956: Created Buffett Partnership Ltd.
In 1956, Warren Buffett created Buffett Partnership Ltd., marking a significant step in his investment career.
1957: Operated three investment partnerships
In 1957, Warren Buffett operated three investment partnerships, marking the beginning of his independent investment ventures.
1958: Sanborn stock sold for $45 per share
In 1958, Sanborn stock sold for only $45 per share.
1958: Birth of Son Peter
In 1958, Warren Buffett and Susan Thompson had their third child, a son named Peter.
1958: Purchase of Omaha Home
In 1958, Warren Buffett purchased a five-bedroom stucco house in Omaha for US$31,500, where he still resides.
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: Invested in Sanborn Map Company
In 1961, Warren Buffett revealed that 35% of the partnership's assets were invested in the Sanborn Map Company, recognizing its undervalued stock.
1962: Became a millionaire
In 1962, Warren Buffett became a millionaire due to the success of his partnerships, which held nearly $7.2 million, with more than $1,025,000 belonging to Buffett.
1965: Berkshire Hathaway share purchase
In 1965, Warren Buffett's partnerships began aggressively purchasing Berkshire Hathaway shares at $14.86 per share.
1966: Closed partnership to new money
In 1966, Warren Buffett closed his partnership to new money, later claiming that the textile business had been his worst trade.
1967: Berkshire paid out its first and only dividend
In 1967, Berkshire Hathaway paid out its first and only dividend of 10 cents.
1969: Liquidated the partnership
In 1969, Warren Buffett liquidated his partnership and transferred assets to his partners, living solely on his salary and outside investment income.
1969: Membership in Highland Club
In 1969, after purchasing the Omaha Sun, Warren Buffett became the first non-Jewish member of Omaha's Highland Club to promote nondiscrimination.
1969: End of Buffett's general partnership
Warren Buffett was the general partner at several investment partnerships until 1969.
1970: Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
From 1970, Warren Buffett served as the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
1970: Warren Buffett as Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway
From 1970, Warren Buffett served as the chairman and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway.
1970: Buffett became chairman and majority shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway
In 1970, Warren Buffett became the chairman and majority shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway, solidifying his control over the company.
1971: Purchase of Vacation Home
In 1971, Warren Buffett purchased a vacation home in Laguna Beach, California, for $150,000.
1973: Began to acquire stock in the Washington Post Company
In 1973, Berkshire Hathaway began acquiring stock in the Washington Post Company, marking the beginning of Buffett's involvement with the media company.
1974: SEC investigation
In 1974, the SEC opened a formal investigation into Warren Buffett and Berkshire's acquisition of Wesco Financial, although no charges were brought.
1977: Purchased the Buffalo Evening News
In 1977, Berkshire Hathaway indirectly purchased the Buffalo Evening News for $32.5 million, leading to antitrust charges.
1977: Susan's departure to San Francisco
In 1977, Susan Buffett departed for San Francisco to pursue her singing career, leading to Astrid Menks living with Warren Buffett.
1977: Separation from Susan Thompson
In 1977, Warren Buffett and his wife Susan began living separately, though they remained married.
1978: Charlie Munger joined Berkshire Hathaway
In 1978, Charlie Munger joined Warren Buffett as vice-chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, forming a long-time business partnership.
1979: Berkshire acquired stock in ABC
In 1979, Berkshire Hathaway began to acquire stock in ABC, setting the stage for a major media deal.
1982: The Courier-Express folded
In 1982, the Buffalo Courier-Express, a rival of the Buffalo Evening News, folded after both papers lost money.
March 18, 1985: Capital Cities purchased ABC
On March 18, 1985, Capital Cities announced a $3.5 billion purchase of ABC, with Warren Buffett helping to finance the deal in return for a 25% stake in the combined company.
1985: Sold the last of the mills of Berkshire Hathaway
In 1985, the last of the mills that had been the core business of Berkshire Hathaway was sold.
1987: Berkshire Hathaway purchased a stake in Salomon Inc.
In 1987, Berkshire Hathaway purchased a 12% stake in Salomon Inc., making it the largest shareholder, and Warren Buffett a director.
1988: Buffett Buys Coca-Cola Stock
In 1988, Warren Buffett began investing in The Coca-Cola Company, eventually acquiring 7% of the company's stock for $1.02 billion, which proved to be one of Berkshire Hathaway's most successful and enduring investments.
1989: Purchase of Private Jet
In 1989, Warren Buffett purchased a private jet for nearly $6.7 million of Berkshire's funds, naming it "The Indefensible", later renamed "The Indispensable".
1990: Scandal at Salomon Brothers
In 1990, a scandal involving John Gutfreund, the former CEO of Salomon Brothers, came to light when a rogue trader, Paul Mozer, submitted bids exceeding Treasury rules. Gutfreund's delayed response led to his departure.
August 1991: Buffett Becomes Chairman of Salomon Inc.
In August 1991, following the scandal involving the CEO of Salomon Brothers, Warren Buffett stepped in to become the chairman of Salomon Inc. until the crisis was resolved.
1996: Letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders
In his 1996 letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, Warren Buffett emphasized the importance of long-term stock ownership, stating that 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
In 1998, The Coca-Cola Company stock peaked at $86, which would be equivalent to $170 in 2025, raising questions about keeping some of Berkshire's major holdings.
1998: Buffett acquires General Re
In 1998, Warren Buffett acquired General Re (Gen Re) as a subsidiary, a deal that faced difficulties due to inadequate underwriting standards and a problematic derivatives book.
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.
1999: Sale of Private Jet
Prior to mid-1999, Warren Buffett sold the private jet he had previously purchased and began using Berkshire's flight services.
2001: Auction of Lincoln Town Car
In 2001, Warren Buffett auctioned his 2001 Lincoln Town Car on eBay to raise money for Girls, Inc.
2002: Buffett becomes involved with AIG
In 2002, General Re provided reinsurance after Warren Buffett became involved with Maurice R. Greenberg at AIG.
2002: Adviser to Nuclear Threat Initiative
In 2002, Warren Buffett began serving as an adviser to the Nuclear Threat Initiative in Washington.
2002: Buffett Enters Forward Contracts
In 2002, Warren 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, the trade deficit caused Warren Buffett to enter the foreign currency market for the first time.
July 2004: Death of Susan Buffett
In July 2004, Susan Buffett, Warren Buffett's wife, passed away.
2004: Advocacy for Stock Option Expensing
At the 2004 annual meeting, Warren Buffett criticized a bill before the United States Congress that would consider only some company-issued stock options compensation as an expense, likening the bill to one attempting to change the value of Pi through legislative fiat.
2004: Estate of Susan Buffett
In 2004, the bulk of Susan Buffett's estate, valued at $2.6 billion, went to the Buffett Foundation.
2004: Buffett Discusses Knowing When To Sell
In the company's 2004 annual report, Warren Buffett discussed the difficulties of knowing when to sell investments.
March 15, 2005: Greenberg Resigns from AIG
On March 15, 2005, amidst a 2005 investigation into accounting fraud, the AIG board compelled Maurice Greenberg to resign as chairman and CEO after New York regulators alleged questionable transactions and accounting practices.
2005: Reduced Stake in Foreign Currency
In 2005, Warren Buffett substantially reduced his stake in foreign currency markets due to changing interest rates. He remained bearish on the dollar, seeking companies with substantial foreign revenues.
February 9, 2006: AIG Agrees to Pay Fine
On February 9, 2006, AIG agreed to pay a $1.6 billion fine following investigations into accounting fraud.
April 2006: Gain on Currency Contracts
By April 2006, Warren Buffett's total gain on currency contracts exceeded $2 billion.
June 2006: Charitable Donation Plan
In June 2006, Warren Buffett announced a plan to give 83% of his fortune to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, pledging about the equivalent of 10 million Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares, making it the largest charitable donation in history.
June 2006: Buffett Announces Philanthropic Gifts
In June 2006, Warren Buffett announced that he would gradually donate 85% of his Berkshire holdings to five foundations, starting in July 2006, with the largest contribution going to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
July 2006: Buffett Starts Giving Away Berkshire Holdings
Starting in July 2006, Warren Buffett began giving away 85% of his Berkshire holdings to five foundations in annual gifts of stock, with the largest contribution to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
December 2006: Tech Habits
In December 2006, it was reported that Warren Buffett did not carry a mobile phone, did not have a computer at his desk, and drove his own automobile.
2006: Auction of Lincoln Town Car
In 2006, Warren Buffet auctioned his 2001 Lincoln Town Car to raise money for Girls, Inc.
2006: Disowning Nicole Buffett
In 2006, Warren Buffett disowned his son Peter's adopted daughter, Nicole, after she participated in a documentary about economic inequality.
2006: Sponsorship of Buffett Cup
In 2006, Warren Buffett sponsored a bridge match called the Buffett Cup, modeled on the Ryder Cup in golf.
2006: Comments on Tax Fairness
In 2006, Warren Buffett stated he paid 19% of his income in federal taxes ($48.1 million), while his employees paid 33%. Buffett expressed his view that the rich class is winning the class warfare.
2006: Annual Salary
In 2006, Warren Buffett's annual salary was about $100,000.
2006: Marriage to Astrid Menks
In 2006, on his 76th birthday, Warren Buffett married his longtime companion, Astrid Menks.
2007: Support for Bo Pelini Hire
Following the 2007 season, Warren Buffett supported the hire of Bo Pelini as the Nebraska football coach.
2007: Bet on S&P 500 Index Fund
In 2007, Buffett made a bet with numerous managers that a simple S&P 500 index fund would outperform hedge funds that charge exorbitant fees.
2007: Buffett Seeks Successor
In 2007, Warren Buffett announced in a letter to shareholders that he was seeking a younger successor, or possibly multiple successors, to manage his investment business.
2007: Auction Luncheon
In 2007, Warren Buffett auctioned a luncheon with himself that raised a final bid of $650,100 for the Glide Foundation.
2007: Testimony on Inheritance Tax
In 2007, Warren Buffett testified before the Senate, urging them to preserve the estate tax to avoid a plutocracy. Buffett also believes government should not be in the business of gambling.
2007: Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2007, Warren Buffett was listed among Time's 100 Most Influential People in the world.
2007: Cancellation of Coal-Fired Power Plants
In 2007, Warren Buffett's PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of MidAmerican Energy Company, cancelled six proposed coal-fired power plants, including Utah's Intermountain Power Project Unit 3 and Jim Bridger Unit 5, after pressure from regulators and citizen groups.
2007: Subprime Mortgage Crisis Begins
In 2007, the subprime mortgage crisis began, which was part of the Great Recession, leading to criticism of Warren Buffett for allocating capital too early and making suboptimal deals; this crisis starting in 2007.
July 2, 2008: Fundraiser for Barack Obama's Campaign
On July 2, 2008, Warren Buffett attended a $28,500 per plate fundraiser in Chicago for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Buffett expressed his stark disagreement with John McCain's views on social justice, suggesting a significant ideological gap.
September 23, 2008: Berkshire Hathaway Invests in Goldman Sachs
On September 23, 2008, Berkshire Hathaway acquired 10 percent of the perpetual preferred stock of Goldman Sachs, signaling Warren Buffett's instrumental role in the crisis affecting debt and equity markets.
October 2008: Publication of Books About Buffett
In October 2008, USA Today reported at least 47 books were in print with Warren Buffett's name in the title. Buffett's personal favorite is "The Essays of Warren Buffett".
October 2008: Buffett Buys GE Preferred Stock
In October 2008, Warren Buffett agreed to purchase General Electric (GE) preferred stock, which included special incentives such as an option to buy GE stock and a 10% dividend.
October 2008: Investment in BYD Company
In October 2008, Warren Buffett invested $230 million for 10% of battery and electric vehicle maker BYD Company. This investment reaped over a 500% return in less than a year.
2008: Buffett Becomes World's Richest Person
In 2008, Warren Buffett became the richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of $62 billion according to Forbes.
2008: Total Compensation
In 2008, Warren Buffett earned a total compensation of $175,000, which included a base salary of just $100,000.
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.
2008: Berkshire Hathaway Suffers Earnings Drop
In 2008, during the financial crisis, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway experienced a 77% drop in earnings during Q3, and many of his later deals incurred significant mark-to-market losses.
February 2009: Buffett Sells Shares
In February 2009, Warren Buffett sold some of his personal holdings of Procter & Gamble Co. and Johnson & Johnson shares.
March 2009: Buffett Comments on the Economy
In March 2009, Warren Buffett said in a cable television interview that the economy had "fallen off a cliff" and expressed concerns about the potential re-emergence of inflation levels similar to those in the 1970s.
June 2009: Berkshire Hathaway Among Largest Corporations
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: Gates Regains Top Spot
In 2009, Bill Gates regained the top position on the Forbes list of wealthiest individuals, while Warren Buffett's net worth dropped.
2009: Only the Super Rich Can Save Us
In 2009, Ralph Nader wrote the book "Only the Super Rich Can Save Us", a novel featuring Warren Buffett as a leader of a movement of billionaires using their fortunes to clean up America. Buffett invited Nader to breakfast after the book was released.
2009: Buffett Divests from ConocoPhillips
In 2009, Warren Buffett divested his failed investment in ConocoPhillips, according to a statement to his Berkshire investors.
2009: Views on Healthcare Incentives
In 2009, Warren Buffett highlighted the problematic incentives within the U.S. medical industry. He stated that the fee-for-service model encourages unnecessary care and overutilization. Buffett cited Atul Gawande's article in The New Yorker as a useful consideration of U.S. health care.
2009: Meeting with Billionaires Regarding Global Issues
In 2009, Warren Buffett met with other billionaires to discuss healthcare, education, and slowing population growth. This group, dubbed "The Good Club," included Oprah Winfrey, Michael Bloomberg, and David Rockefeller, Jr., and collectively donated $45 billion to philanthropic causes. Warren Buffett also supports family planning.
2009: Honorary Assistant Coach
In 2009, Warren Buffett was named an honorary assistant coach and watched the game against Oklahoma from the Nebraska sideline. He was also elected to the American Philosophical Society in 2009.
2009: Second Richest Man in the United States
In 2009, after donating billions of dollars to charity, Warren Buffett was ranked as the second richest man in the United States with a net worth of $37 billion.
2009: Buffett Sells Shares
On three dates between 2009 and 2012, Buffett sold shares of Johnson and Johnson, Walmart, and Wells Fargo, with the sales totaling $80 million in value (equivalent to $120,055,840 in 2025).
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: Gates-Buffett 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 other wealthy individuals to do the same.
2010: Views on Healthcare Costs
In 2010, Warren Buffett expressed concerns about the sustainability of U.S. healthcare costs, stating that the U.S. devoting 17% of its GDP to healthcare was unsustainable. He compared healthcare costs to a tapeworm compromising U.S. economic competitiveness and indicated that while the US offers the highest end procedures, other countries deliver better healthcare outcomes with a smaller GDP proportion.
2010: The Giving Pledge Founded
In 2010, Warren Buffett, along with Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, founded The Giving Pledge, 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.
2010: Settlement with Gen Re
In 2010, the U.S. government reached a $92 million settlement with Gen Re, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, allowing them to avoid prosecution in the AIG case, contingent upon implementing corporate governance concessions.
2010: BNSF Merger Closes
In 2010, the merger with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) was finalized upon BNSF shareholder approval, valued at approximately $44 billion, including $10 billion of outstanding BNSF debt, increasing the previously existing stake of 22%.
March 18, 2011: Goldman Sachs Buys Back Berkshire's Stock
On March 18, 2011, Goldman Sachs received Federal Reserve approval to repurchase Berkshire Hathaway's preferred stock in Goldman, a move Buffett initially resisted due to the lucrative daily dividends.
November 2011: Buffett Invests in IBM
In November 2011, it was announced that over the previous eight months, Warren Buffett had acquired 64 million shares of International Business Machine Corp (IBM) stock, worth around $11 billion, surprising many due to his prior aversion to technology investments.
2011: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded Warren Buffett the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
2011: Acquisition of Omaha World Herald
In 2011, Warren Buffett's company acquired the Omaha World Herald.
April 11, 2012: Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
On April 11, 2012, Warren Buffett was diagnosed with stage I prostate cancer during a routine test and announced he would begin radiation treatment.
May 2012: Comments on High-Technology Stocks and IPOs
In May 2012, Warren Buffett said he had avoided buying stock in high-technology companies such as Facebook and Google, due to their complexity and difficulty in estimating their future value. He also stated that initial public offerings (IPOs) of new stock issues are almost always bad investments.
May 2012: Buffett Acquires Media General
In May 2012, Warren Buffett's acquisition of Media General, which included 63 newspapers in the southeastern U.S., was announced.
September 15, 2012: Completion of Radiation Treatment
On September 15, 2012, Warren Buffett announced that he had completed his 44-day radiation treatment cycle.
2012: Buffett Sells Shares
On three dates between 2009 and 2012, Buffett sold shares of Johnson and Johnson, Walmart, and Wells Fargo, with the sales totaling $80 million in value (equivalent to $120,055,840 in 2025).
May 2013: Berkshire Shareholders Meeting
At the Berkshire shareholders meeting in May 2013, Warren Buffett stated that he did not expect newspaper acquisitions to significantly impact Berkshire but anticipated a 10 percent annual return.
July 18, 2013: Press of Atlantic City to be Sold to Buffett's BH Media Group
On July 18, 2013, interim publisher James W. Hopson announced that the Press of Atlantic City would be sold to Warren Buffett's BH Media Group.
September 2013: Net Worth
As of September 2013, Warren Buffett's net worth had risen to $58.5 billion.
September 2013: Buffett Presents to Georgetown Students
In late September 2013, during a presentation to Georgetown University students, Warren Buffett likened the U.S. Federal Reserve to a hedge fund and advocated for wealth equality.
December 9, 2013: Berkshire Hathaway Purchases Shares in USG Corporation
On December 9, 2013, Berkshire Hathaway purchased shares in USG Corporation, which they failed to report as required and were fined for it on August 20, 2014.
2013: Use of Nokia Flip Phone
In 2013, Warren Buffett used an old Nokia flip phone and had sent only one email in his entire life.
August 14, 2014: Berkshire Hathaway Share Price Hits $200,000
On August 14, 2014, the price of Berkshire Hathaway's shares reached $200,000 for the first time, capitalizing the company at $328 billion.
August 20, 2014: Berkshire Hathaway Fined
On August 20, 2014, Berkshire Hathaway was fined $896,000 for failing to properly report the December 9, 2013 purchase of shares in USG Corporation.
December 16, 2015: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton
On December 16, 2015, Warren Buffett publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, signaling his support for her candidacy.
2015: Appearance on Entourage
In 2015, Warren Buffett made a cameo appearance on the TV program "Entourage".
August 1, 2016: Challenge to Donald Trump
On August 1, 2016, Warren Buffett challenged Donald Trump to release his tax returns, escalating the public discussion around Trump's financial transparency.
October 10, 2016: Release of Tax Return
On October 10, 2016, after being referenced in a presidential debate, Warren Buffett released his own tax return, revealing he paid $1.85 million in federal income taxes in 2015 on an adjusted gross income of $11.6 million. He also disclosed over $2.8 billion in donations.
April 2017: Likeness on Cherry Coke Products
In April 2017, Warren Buffett agreed to have his likeness placed on Cherry Coke products in China without compensation.
2017: Index Fund Outperforms Hedge Funds
By 2017, the S&P 500 index fund that Buffett bet on had outperformed every hedge fund that made the bet against him.
2017: Subject of HBO Documentary
In 2017, Warren Buffett was the subject of the HBO documentary feature "Becoming Warren Buffett".
2018: Use of Google Search Engine
At the 2018 Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting, Warren Buffett stated he uses Google as his preferred search engine.
2018: Sale of Vacation Home
In 2018, Warren Buffett sold his vacation home in Laguna Beach, California, for $7.5 million.
2018: Forbes' List of Billionaires
In 2018, after making almost $3.4 billion in donations, Warren Buffett was ranked 3rd in the Forbes' List of Billionaires.
February 2020: Switch to iPhone 11
In February 2020, Warren Buffett revealed in a CNBC interview that he had traded in his flip phone for an iPhone 11.
June 2021: Comments on Economic Impact of COVID-19
In a June 2021 interview with CNBC, Warren Buffett stated that the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has increased economic inequality and bemoaned the negative impact on small businesses. He also stated that markets and the economy would be unpredictable into the post-pandemic recovery.
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.
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, including the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. He also transferred shares to the Sherwood Foundation, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, and the NoVo Foundation.
2022: Reconciliation with Nicole Buffett
By 2022, Warren Buffett and his son Peter's adopted daughter, Nicole, had reconciled.
September 2023: Death of Jimmy Buffett
In September 2023, singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, a longtime friend of Warren Buffett, passed away. The two would often refer to one another as "Uncle Warren" and "Cousin Jimmy".
2023: ProPublica Article Alleges Conflict of Interest
In 2023, a ProPublica article based on leaked IRS data alleged that Warren Buffett made equity trades in his personal portfolio involving companies that Berkshire Hathaway bought or sold during the same or prior quarter, raising conflict of interest concerns.
May 3, 2025: Requested Greg Abel to be appointed as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway
On May 3, 2025, at Berkshire Hathaway's investor conference, Warren Buffett requested that the board appoint Greg Abel as the company's chief executive officer by the year's end, while Buffett would remain as chairman.
May 5, 2025: 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 as chairman.
June 2025: Donation to Charitable Foundations
In June 2025, Warren Buffett donated $6 billion in Berkshire Hathaway shares to five charitable foundations, primarily to the Gates Foundation. As of June 2025, his total donations exceeded $60 billion.
2025: Equivalent value of $175 monthly in high school
At 15, Warren Buffett made more than $175 monthly delivering Washington Post newspapers. This was equivalent to $3,130 in 2025.
2025: Equivalent value of $35 deduction in 1944
In 1944, Buffett took a $35 deduction for the use of his bicycle and watch. This was equivalent to $640 in 2025.
2025: Equivalent value of $12,000 salary in 1954
In 1954, Buffett accepted a job at Benjamin Graham's partnership. His starting salary of $12,000 a year was equivalent to $143,866 in 2025.
2025: Equivalent value in 2025
In 1988, Buffett purchased up to 7% of The Coca-Cola Company stock for $1.02 billion, which would be equivalent to $2,776,730,445 in 2025.
January 1, 2026: Abel Becomes CEO
On January 1, 2026, Greg Abel's appointment as president and CEO will be effective, with Warren Buffett remaining chairman.
January 2026: Buffett's Net Worth
In January 2026, Warren Buffett's estimated net worth was US$148.9 billion, making him the ninth-richest person in the world according to Forbes.
2026: Chairman and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway
As of 2026, Warren Buffett presided as the chairman and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway.
Mentioned in this timeline
Bill Gates an American businessman and philanthropist revolutionized personal computing...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Mark Zuckerberg is an American businessman and programmer best known...
Coca-Cola is a globally recognized cola soft drink produced by...
Home Box Office HBO is an American pay television service...
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is a prominent American politician lawyer...
Trending
10 months ago Jerry West's Past: Bridgeport Visit, Lakers' Dynasty Impact, and Health Struggles Highlighted.
56 minutes ago Holly Humberstone Releases 'Cruel World,' Embraces Pop and Inner Child in New Album
56 minutes ago Hyeseong Kim's Amazing Catch and Roberts' Bet Loss Spark Excitement Among Fans
56 minutes ago KPop Demon Hunters & Katseye stunning 'Golden' performance surprises Coachella audience.
56 minutes ago Randy Arozarena's free agency value soars, Mariners face losing top outfield bat.
57 minutes ago Jahmai Mashack returns, logging big minutes after concussion; questionable for Wednesday's game.
Popular
Paula White-Cain is a prominent American televangelist and key figure...
William Franklin Graham III commonly known as Franklin Graham is...
Melania Trump is a Slovenian-American former model who served as...
XXXTentacion born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was a controversial yet...
Bernie Sanders is a prominent American politician currently serving as...
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is a prominent American politician lawyer...