Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett is a businessman, investor, and philanthropist from the United States who is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential investors in history

Buffett, who was born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, showed an early interest in business and investing Buffett worked briefly for his father's investment firm after finishing his graduate studies at Columbia Business School before striking out on his own. In the 1950s, he formed his own investment partnership, and by the 1960s, he had established a reputation as a savvy and successful investor.

Buffett purchased Berkshire Hathaway, a textile company, in 1965 as a vehicle to diversify his investment portfolio and eventually transform it into a multinational conglomerate holding company. Berkshire Hathaway now has a diverse portfolio of subsidiaries and investments, including significant stakes in Coca-Cola, American Express, and IBM.

Buffett's investing philosophy is based on his conviction in the long-term value of well-managed businesses with sustainable competitive advantages. He is known for his patient, buy-and-hold approach, as well as his emphasis on investing in companies that generate strong cash flows and long-term earnings growth. Buffett is also well-known for his emphasis on identifying companies with strong "moats," or long-term competitive advantages that shield them from the competition.

Buffett, in addition to his investment success, is a well-known philanthropist, having pledged to donate the majority of his wealth to charitable causes through the Giving Pledge, a commitment he made alongside several other billionaires. He has also been a vocal supporter of ethical investing and corporate responsibility, as well as a critic of practices such as excessive executive compensation and short-termism in corporate decision-making.

Buffett's personal life is marked by a dedication to simple living and frugality. He still lives in the house he bought in Omaha in the 1950s and is well-known for his fondness for fast food, particularly hamburgers, and cherry Coke. Despite his enormous wealth, he has long pledged to donate the vast majority of his fortune to address some of the world's most pressing social and environmental issues. His impact can be felt not only in the financial world but also in broader discussions about corporate responsibility and the role of business in society.

Buffett's net worth was estimated to be more than $100 billion in 2023, making him one of the world's wealthiest people.