Early Life
Warren Edward Buffett was born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska. He developed an interest in business and investing at a young age, inspired by a book he borrowed from the public library at age seven, "One Thousand Ways to Make $1000." He showed an early knack for entrepreneurship, selling chewing gum, Coca-Cola, and magazines door-to-door. He also worked at his grandfather's grocery store.
Rise to Success
Buffett's career began with investments in his youth, buying a 40-acre farm at age fourteen. He attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania for two years before transferring to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduating with a degree in business administration. He earned a Master of Science in economics from Columbia in 1951, where he studied under Benjamin Graham, the pioneer of value investing. He worked at Graham's firm before starting his own investment partnerships.
Key Business Strategies
Buffett's success is rooted in his value investing strategy. He focuses on identifying undervalued companies with strong fundamentals and holding them for the long term. Key investments include Coca-Cola, Apple, and American Express, which he has held for decades. His approach emphasizes thorough research, patience, and a focus on intrinsic value. Buffett has also built Berkshire Hathaway through strategic acquisitions, turning it into a diversified conglomerate.
Philanthropy
Buffett is renowned for his philanthropic efforts. In 2006, he pledged to donate over 80% of his Berkshire Hathaway shares to charitable foundations, primarily the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. By June 2025, he had donated $6 billion to five charities, including those founded by his children. He has also been a significant supporter of health and education initiatives through various organizations.