History of Warren Buffett in Timeline

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Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett is a highly successful American investor and philanthropist, serving as the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Renowned for his investment acumen, Buffett is globally recognized as one of the foremost investors. As of February 17, 2025, Forbes estimates his net worth at $149.6 billion, positioning him as the seventh wealthiest person worldwide.

August 30, 1930: Warren Buffett's Birth

On August 30, 1930, Warren Edward Buffett was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He would later become a renowned investor and philanthropist.

Others born on this day/year

1942: Father's Election to Congress

In 1942, Howard Buffett, Warren's father, 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, claiming a $35 deduction for his bicycle and watch used on his paper route.

1945: Pinball Machine Business

In 1945, Warren Buffett and a friend purchased a used pinball machine for $25 and started a business, eventually owning machines in three barber shops before selling the business to a war veteran for $1,200.

1947: Enrollment at Wharton School

In 1947, Warren Buffett enrolled at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, influenced by his father's encouragement, and joined the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity.

1947: High School Graduation

In 1947, Warren Buffett graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, with his yearbook noting his interest in math and future as a stockbroker.

1949: Bought a ukulele

In 1949, Warren Buffett developed a crush on a young woman and, in an attempt to compete with her boyfriend, bought a ukulele. His music interest became a key part of his becoming a part of Susan Thompson's life, and led to their marriage.

1950: Rejection from Harvard Business School

In the spring of 1950, Warren Buffett was rejected by Harvard Business School.

1951: Employment at Buffett-Falk & Co.

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

1951: Discovery and Initial Investment in GEICO

In 1951, Warren Buffett discovered Benjamin Graham's involvement with GEICO insurance, leading him to visit GEICO's headquarters and meet Lorimer Davidson, resulting in Buffett's first purchase of GEICO stock.

1951: Graduation from University of Nebraska and Enrollment at Columbia

In 1951, Warren Buffett graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Nebraska and earned a Master of Science in economics from Columbia Business School. He was influenced by Benjamin Graham.

1952: Marriage to Susan Thompson

In 1952, Warren Buffett married Susan Thompson at Dundee Presbyterian Church.

1954: Employment at Graham-Newman Corp.

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

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, working alongside Walter Schloss.

1954: Birth of son Howard

In 1954, Warren Buffett and Susan Thompson had their second child, Howard.

1956: General Partner in Investment Partnerships

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

1956: Graham's Retirement and Buffett's Return to Omaha

In 1956, Benjamin Graham retired and closed his partnership, leading Warren Buffett, with savings over $174,000, to return to Omaha and start a series of investment partnerships.

1956: Creation of Buffett Partnership Ltd.

In 1956, Warren Buffett created Buffett Partnership Ltd. This entity would serve as one of his early investment vehicles.

1957: Operation of Investment Partnerships

In 1957, Warren Buffett operated three investment partnerships.

1958: Sanborn Stock Price

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

1958: Birth of son Peter

In 1958, Warren Buffett and Susan Thompson had their third child, Peter.

1958: Purchase of Omaha Home

In 1958, Warren Buffett purchased a five-bedroom stucco house in Omaha for $31,500, where he still resides as of 2024.

1959: Introduction to Charlie Munger

In 1959, Warren Buffett was introduced to Charlie Munger, who would become his future partner, 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, leading him to purchase 23% of the company's shares and secure a board seat.

1962: Buffett Becomes a Millionaire

In 1962, Warren Buffett became a millionaire due to the success of his partnerships, which held over $7,178,500. He merged his partnerships into Buffett Partnership, Ltd.

1965: Control of Berkshire Hathaway

In 1965, Warren Buffett's partnerships aggressively purchased shares of Berkshire Hathaway at $14.86 per share and he took control of the company, naming Ken Chace as president.

1966: Partnership Closed to New Money

In 1966, Warren Buffett closed his partnership to new money, later stating that the textile business had been his worst trade.

1967: First and Only Dividend Payout

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

1969: End of Buffett's Investment Partnerships

In 1969, Warren Buffet ceased being a general partner in his investment partnerships.

1969: Liquidation of Partnership

In 1969, Warren Buffett liquidated his partnership, transferring assets to his partners, including shares of Berkshire Hathaway. He then lived on a $50,000 salary and outside investment income.

1970: Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

From 1970, Warren Buffett has been the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

1970: Chairman and Majority Shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway

In 1970, Warren Buffett became the chairman and majority shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway, transitioning it into a diversified holding company.

1970: Buffett as Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway

Since 1970, Warren Buffett has served as the chairman and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway. This role has solidified his position as a leading figure in the business world.

1971: Purchase of Laguna Beach Vacation Home

In 1971, Warren Buffett purchased a vacation home in Laguna Beach, California for $150,000.

1973: Acquisition of Washington Post Company Stock

In 1973, Berkshire Hathaway began acquiring stock in the Washington Post Company, leading to a friendship between Warren Buffett and Katharine Graham.

1974: SEC Investigation

In 1974, the SEC opened an investigation into Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway's acquisition of Wesco Financial over possible conflict of interest, but no charges were brought.

1977: Astrid lived with Buffett

Astrid Menks had lived with Warren Buffett since his wife's departure to San Francisco in 1977.

1977: Purchase of Buffalo Evening News

In 1977, Berkshire Hathaway indirectly purchased the Buffalo Evening News for $32.5 million, leading to antitrust charges instigated by its rival, the Buffalo Courier-Express.

1977: Separation from Susan

In 1977, Warren Buffett and Susan Thompson began living separately, although they remained married.

1977: Buffett's Statement on Stocks, Gold, Farmland and Inflation

In 1977, Warren Buffett gave a statement about stocks, gold, farmland and inflation.

1978: Charlie Munger Joins Berkshire Hathaway

In 1978, Charlie Munger joined Warren Buffett as vice-chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, beginning a long-time and successful business association.

1979: Acquisition of ABC Stock

In 1979, Berkshire Hathaway began acquiring stock in ABC.

1982: Closure of Buffalo Courier-Express

In 1982, the Buffalo Courier-Express folded after both it and the Buffalo Evening News experienced financial losses.

March 18, 1985: Capital Cities Purchase of ABC

On March 18, 1985, Capital Cities announced a $3.5 billion purchase of ABC. Warren Buffett helped finance the deal for a 25% stake in the combined company, Capital Cities/ABC.

1985: Buffett's Appearance on Adam Smith's Money World

In 1985, Warren Buffett appeared on Adam Smith's Money World, reportedly his first television appearance.

1985: Sale of Berkshire Hathaway Mills

In 1985, the last of the mills that had been the core business of Berkshire Hathaway was sold, marking a shift away from the textile industry.

1987: Buffett Quoted During RJR Nabisco Takeover Fight

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

1987: Purchase of Stake in Salomon Inc.

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

1988: Investment in The Coca-Cola Company

In 1988, Warren Buffett began buying The Coca-Cola Company stock, eventually purchasing up to 7% of the company for $1.02 billion, marking one of Berkshire's most lucrative investments.

1989: Purchase of "The Indefensible" Jet

In 1989, Warren Buffett spent nearly $6.7 million of Berkshire's funds on a private jet, naming it "The Indefensible", later renamed "The Indispensable."

1990: Salomon Brothers Scandal

In 1990, a scandal surfaced involving John Gutfreund and Paul Mozer at Salomon Brothers.

August 1991: Gutfreund Leaves Salomon, Buffett Becomes Chairman

In August 1991, John Gutfreund left Salomon Brothers, and Warren Buffett became chairman until the crisis passed.

1994: Buffett's Statement on Tobacco Investments

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

1998: Coca-Cola Peaked

In 1998, The Coca-Cola Company peaked at $86, raising questions about the wisdom in keeping some of Berkshire's major holdings, including The Coca-Cola Company.

1998: Acquisition of General Re

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

1998: Buffett's Critique of Gold as an Investment

In 1998, Warren Buffett addressed at Harvard and criticized gold as an investment, basing his critique on its non-productive nature.

November 1999: Warned of investors' 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 Jet

Prior to mid-1999, Warren Buffett sold the private jet he had previously named "The Indefensible," and has since typically flown with Berkshire's flight services businesses.

2001: Ownership of Lincoln Town Car

In 2006, Warren Buffett auctioned his 2001 Lincoln Town Car on eBay to raise money for Girls, Inc., implying ownership of the car in 2001.

2002: Involvement with AIG

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

2002: Forward contracts

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

2002: Adviser to Nuclear Threat Initiative

In 2002, Warren Buffett pledged $50 million to the Nuclear Threat Initiative in Washington, where he began serving as an adviser.

2002: Buffett Enters Foreign Currency Market

In 2002, the trade deficit prompted Warren Buffett to enter the foreign currency market for the first time.

2003: Financial Advisor to Arnold Schwarzenegger

In 2003, Warren Buffett served as a financial advisor to Republican candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger during the California gubernatorial election.

July 2004: Death of Susan Buffett

In July 2004, Warren Buffett's wife, Susan Buffett, passed away. The couple had been separated since 1977 but remained married.

2004: Buffett Lambasts Stock Option Compensation Bill

At the 2004 annual meeting, Warren Buffett criticized a bill before the United States Congress regarding company-issued stock options compensation, comparing it to a legislative attempt to change the value of Pi.

2004: Estate of Wife to Buffett Foundation

In 2004, the bulk of the estate of Warren Buffett's wife, valued at $2.6 billion, went to the Buffett Foundation after her death.

2004: Difficulties of knowing when to sell

In the company's 2004 annual report, Buffett discussed the difficulties of knowing when to sell, a topic relevant to Berkshire's major holdings.

March 15, 2005: Greenberg Resigns from AIG

On March 15, 2005, Maurice R. Greenberg was forced to resign from his position as chairman and CEO of AIG after New York state regulators claimed that AIG had engaged in questionable transactions and improper accounting.

2005: Buffett Reduces Stake in Currency Market

In 2005, Warren 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 foreign revenues.

February 9, 2006: AIG Pays 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 forward contracts to deliver U.S. dollars against other currencies was over $2 billion.

June 2006: Announcement of Charitable Giving Plan

In June 2006, Warren Buffett announced a new plan to give 83% of his fortune to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

June 2006: Giving away Berkshire holdings

In June 2006, Warren Buffett announced that he would gradually give 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.

June 23, 2006: Pledge to Bill & Melinda 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 giving away Berkshire holdings

In July 2006, Warren Buffett began giving away 85% of his Berkshire holdings to five foundations in annual gifts of stock.

December 2006: Report on Technology Usage

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 Cadillac DTS.

2006: Auction of Lincoln Town Car

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

2006: Disowning of Nicole Buffett

In 2006, Warren Buffett disowned his son Peter's adopted daughter, Nicole, after she participated in the Jamie Johnson documentary The One Percent.

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2006: Sponsorship of Buffett Cup

In 2006, Warren Buffett sponsored a bridge match called the Buffett Cup, modeled after the Ryder Cup in golf.

2006: Federal Taxes

In 2006, Warren Buffett stated that he only paid 19% of his income ($48.1 million) in total federal taxes while his employees paid 33% of theirs.

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: PacifiCorp Cancels Coal-Fired Power Plants

In 2007, Buffett's PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of his MidAmerican Energy Company, canceled six proposed coal-fired power plants due to pressure from regulators and citizen groups.

2007: Looking for a successor

In 2007, Warren Buffett announced in a letter to shareholders that he was looking for a younger successor, or perhaps successors, to run his investment business.

2007: Auctioned Luncheon for Glide Foundation

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

2007: Criticism during subprime mortgage crisis

In 2007, Warren Buffett faced criticism during the subprime mortgage crisis, part of the Great Recession, for allocating capital too early, resulting in suboptimal deals.

2007: Bet with managers

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: Buffett Testifies Before Senate on Estate Tax

In 2007, Warren Buffett testified before the Senate, advocating for the preservation of the estate tax to prevent the rise of a plutocracy. Some critics argued that Berkshire Hathaway had a vested interest in the continuation of the estate tax. Buffett also stated that government should not be legalizing casinos in 2007.

2007: Listed Among Time's 100 Most Influential People

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

July 2, 2008: Attendance at Obama Fundraiser

On July 2, 2008, Warren Buffett attended a $28,500 per plate fundraiser for Barack Obama's presidential campaign in Chicago.

September 23, 2008: Acquisition of Goldman Sachs stock

On September 23, 2008, Berkshire Hathaway acquired 10 percent of perpetual preferred stock of Goldman Sachs. Also in 2008, Berkshire Hathaway provided $3 billion for Dow Chemical's takeover of Rohm & Haas, becoming the single largest shareholder in the enlarged group.

October 2008: Books About Warren Buffett

In October 2008, USA Today reported that at least 47 books were in print with Buffett's name in the title. Buffett's favorite book is a collection of his essays called The Essays of Warren Buffett.

October 2008: Agreement to buy General Electric (GE) preferred stock

In October 2008, Warren Buffett agreed to buy General Electric (GE) preferred stock, receiving an option to buy three billion shares of GE stock at $22.25 over the five years following the agreement, and also receiving a 10% dividend.

October 2008: Buffett Invests in BYD Company

In October 2008, Warren Buffett invested $230 million for 10% of battery maker BYD Company, which runs a subsidiary of electric automobile manufacturer BYD Auto. This investment reaped over 500% return in less than a year. Previously in 2008, Buffett sold his stake in PetroChina Company Limited.

2008: Richest person in the world

In 2008, Warren Buffett became the richest person in the world, with a net worth estimated at $62 billion by Forbes and $58 billion by Yahoo, surpassing Bill Gates.

2008: "Buy American. I am."

In 2008, Warren Buffett wrote "Buy American. I am." for an opinion piece published in the New York Times. Also, Buffett called the downturn in the financial sector that started in 2007 "poetic justice".

2008: Total Compensation

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

February 2009: Selling shares from personal portfolio

In February 2009, Warren Buffett sold some Procter & Gamble Co. and Johnson & Johnson shares from his personal portfolio.

March 2009: Comments on the economy

In March 2009, Warren Buffett said in a cable television interview that the economy had "fallen off a cliff" and people had really changed their habits. He also feared that inflation levels that occurred in the 1970s might re-emerge.

June 2009: Berkshire Hathaway corporation size

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

2009: Gates regained top spot on Forbes list

In 2009, Bill Gates regained the top position on the Forbes list, with Warren Buffett shifting to second place. Buffett's net worth dropped to $37 billion.

2009: Ralph Nader's Book

In 2009, Ralph Nader wrote "Only the Super Rich Can Save Us," a novel featuring Warren Buffett leading a movement of billionaires.

"Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us!"

2009: Divestment from ConocoPhillips

In 2009, Warren Buffett divested his failed investment in ConocoPhillips, saying to his Berkshire investors.

2009: Meeting with Billionaires

In 2009, Warren Buffett met with other billionaires to discuss healthcare, education, and slowing population growth.

2009: Sold shares of Johnson and Johnson, Walmart, and Wells Fargo

In 2009, Warren Buffett sold shares of Johnson and Johnson, Walmart, and Wells Fargo. This sale was later questioned in a 2023 ProPublica article.

2009: BBC Production: The World's Greatest Money Maker

In 2009, Warren Buffett was the subject of the BBC production The World's Greatest Money Maker.

2009: Honorary Assistant Coach and Election to American Philosophical Society

In 2009, Warren Buffett watched a Nebraska game against Oklahoma from the sideline as an honorary assistant coach and was elected to the American Philosophical Society.

2009: Ranked 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.

2009: Views on the US Medical Industry

Warren Buffett cited Atul Gawande's 2009 article in the New Yorker as a useful consideration of US health care.

June 2010: Buffett defended the credit-rating agencies

In June 2010, Buffett defended the credit-rating agencies for their role in the US 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.

2010: Founding of the Giving Pledge

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

2010: Buffett's Cameo in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

In 2010, Warren Buffett made a cameo appearance in the film Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.

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2010: Views on US Healthcare Costs

In 2010, Warren Buffett said that it was not sustainable for the U.S. to devote 17% of its GDP to healthcare expenditure, noting that many other nations spent a much smaller proportion of their GDP on health expenditures, with better healthcare outcomes.

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 agreed to a $92 million settlement with Gen Re, allowing the Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary to avoid prosecution in the AIG case. Gen Re also made corporate governance concessions.

March 18, 2011: Goldman Sachs buy back

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

November 2011: Investment in IBM stock

In November 2011, Warren Buffett bought 64 million shares of International Business Machine Corp (IBM) stock, worth around $11 billion, raising his stake in the company to around 5.5 percent.

2011: Awarded 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, a newspaper he reads daily.

April 11, 2012: Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

On April 11, 2012, Warren Buffett was diagnosed with stage I prostate cancer during a routine test.

May 2012: Buffett on Avoiding Tech Stocks and IPOs

In May 2012, Warren Buffett stated he avoided buying stock in high-technology companies like and Google due to their complexity and difficulty in estimating their future value. He also advised that initial public offerings (IPOs) of new stock issues are almost always bad investments.

May 2012: Acquisition of Media General

In May 2012, Warren Buffett's acquisition of Media General, consisting of 63 newspapers in the south-eastern U.S., was announced.

September 15, 2012: Completion of Radiation Treatment

On September 15, 2012, Warren Buffett announced that he had completed a full 44-day radiation treatment cycle.

2012: Sold shares of Johnson and Johnson, Walmart, and Wells Fargo

In 2012, Warren Buffett sold shares of Johnson and Johnson, Walmart, and Wells Fargo. This sale was later questioned in a 2023 ProPublica article.

May 2013: Berkshire shareholders meeting

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 he anticipates an annual return of 10 percent.

July 18, 2013: Sale of the Press of Atlantic City

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 Update

As of September 2013, Warren Buffett's net worth had risen to $58.5 billion.

September 2013: Presentation to Georgetown University students

In late September 2013, during a presentation to Georgetown University students, Warren Buffett compared the U.S. Federal Reserve to a hedge fund and advocated further on the issue of wealth equality in society.

December 9, 2013: Purchase of shares in USG Corporation

On December 9, 2013, Berkshire Hathaway purchased shares in USG Corporation, which they failed to report in time.

2013: Use of Nokia Flip Phone and Email Usage

In 2013, Warren Buffett used an old Nokia flip phone and had only sent one email in his entire life.

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.

August 20, 2014: Fine for failing to report USG Corporation shares purchase

On August 20, 2014, Berkshire Hathaway was fined $896,000 for failing to report as required the December 9, 2013 purchase of shares in USG Corporation.

December 16, 2015: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton

On December 16, 2015, Warren Buffett endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton for president.

2015: Buffett's Cameo in Entourage

In 2015, Warren Buffett made a cameo appearance in the TV program Entourage.

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August 1, 2016: Challenge to Donald Trump

On August 1, 2016, Warren Buffett challenged Donald Trump to release his tax returns.

October 10, 2016: Release of Tax Return

On October 10, 2016, Warren Buffett released his own tax return, reporting that he paid $1.85 million in federal income taxes in 2015 on an adjusted gross income of $11.6 million.

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 outperforming hedge funds

By 2017, the index fund was outperforming every hedge fund that made the bet against Warren Buffett.

2017: Becoming Warren Buffett HBO Documentary

In 2017, Warren Buffett was the subject of the HBO documentary feature Becoming Warren Buffett.

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January 2018: Buffett on Bitcoin

In January 2018, Warren Buffett told CNBC that the craze over Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies won't end well, later calling it "rat poison squared." However, he also mentioned he would not take a short position on bitcoin futures.

2018: Preference for Google Search Engine

At Berkshire Hathaway's shareholder meeting in 2018, Warren Buffett stated he uses Google as his preferred search engine.

2018: Sale of Laguna Beach Vacation Home

In 2018, Warren Buffett sold his vacation home in Laguna Beach for $7.5 million.

2018: Ranked 3rd in 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: Acquisition of an iPhone

In February 2020, Warren Buffett revealed in a CNBC interview that he had traded in his flip phone for an iPhone 11.

Apple iPhone 11, 64GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 11, 64GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)

2020: Evaluation of Donald Trump

Warren Buffett stated he would judge President Donald Trump by his results on national safety, economic growth, and economic participation when deciding if he would vote for him in the 2020 presidential election.

June 2021: Buffett on Economic Inequality and COVID-19

In a June 2021 interview with CNBC, Warren Buffett stated that the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic increased economic inequality, noting the negative impact on small businesses. He also said that the markets and the economy would likely be unpredictable well into the post-pandemic recovery period.

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.

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

Warren Buffett's longtime friend, singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, died in September 2023. They often referred to each other as "Uncle Warren" and "Cousin Jimmy".

2023: ProPublica article allegations

A 2023 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 quarter or the quarter before, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.

2023: Charitable Contributions

As of 2023, Warren Buffett has given over $50 billion to charitable causes.

2024: Omaha Home Value

As of 2024, the US$31,500 Buffett paid for his home in 1958 is equivalent to $352,658.

February 2025: Buffett's Net Worth

In February 2025, Forbes estimated Warren Buffett's net worth at US$149.6 billion, ranking him as the seventh richest individual globally.