WARREN BUFFET-PROFILE SUMMARY
Full Name: Warren “Edward” Buffett
Nicknames: Oracle of Omaha, Sage of Omaha
Date of Birth: August 30, 1930
Age: 92 (as of August 30, 2023)
Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Networth: 118.4 billion USD (2023)
Forbes Richest Rank (2023): #5
Source Of Wealth: Investing
Notable Investments: Coca-Cola, Apple Inc
Wife: Astrid Menks (m. 2006), Susan Buffett (m. 1952–2004)
Children: Three (3)
Books About Warren Buffet: 50+
Reading Time: 80% of His Day (500pages daily -19hrs)
Warren Buffet is an American businessman and philanthropist, considered by many to be the most successful investor of the 20th and early 21st centuries. He defied mainstream investment trends to amass a fortune. individuals worth more than $118.4 billion.
Early life and family: Warren Edward Buffett, affectionately known as the Poet of Omaha, was born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. He was the second of three children born to Howard Buffett, a stockbroker and later congresswoman, and Leila Stahl Buffett. As a young boy, Buffett showed a natural aptitude for business, selling chewing gum, delivering newspapers, and filing his first tax return at the age of 13.
Education and Business start-up Journey: Buffett attended Rose Hill Elementary School and then Woodrow Wilson High School. His intelligence and business acumen showed from an early age, with an excellent ability to calculate numbers and analyze financial data. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania but quickly transferred to the University of Nebraska, where he earned a degree in business administration.
Benjamin Graham’s influence: Buffett’s education took a significant turn when he entered Columbia Business School to pursue a Master of Science in Economics. There, he was mentored by legendary value investor Benjamin Graham. Graham’s teachings on value investing, assessing a company’s intrinsic value, and the concept of “margin of safety” have had a profound impact on Buffett’s investment philosophy.
The Birth of the Buffett Patnerships: Armed with the principles he learned from Graham, Buffett founded his first investment partnership in 1956 with seven original investors, including his family and friends. This partnership marks the beginning of his successful journey as an investor. He increased the value of the partnership by focusing on undervalued stocks and companies with strong financial backgrounds.
The Berkshire Hathaway Investment years: In the early 1960s, Buffett’s attention turned to the textile manufacturing company Berkshire Hathaway. Although the textile industry was in decline, Buffett saw the value of the company’s assets. He eventually took control of Berkshire Hathaway, a move that would shape his future. When the textile business was phased out, Berkshire Hathaway transformed into a diversified conglomerate with insurance, manufacturing, energy, and consumer goods businesses.
Value investing philosophy: Buffett’s investment philosophy is deeply rooted in value investing, emphasizing the importance of buying shares in companies that are undervalued by the market. He recommends understanding the company’s intrinsic value, sustainable competitive advantage, and quality of management. His contrarian investing approach is summed up in his famous advice: “Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful.”
Books, articles, and essays:
Buffett’s ideas, principles, and investing life stories have been documented in numerous books, articles, and essays. Some of the most notable include:
Essays by Warren Buffett:
Lessons for American Companies:
The Formation of an American Capitalist” by Roger Lowenstein
Warren Buffett and the Work of Life” by Alice Schroeder
Charity activities: Buffett’s philanthropic efforts have garnered as much attention as his investment successes. He has pledged to donate the majority of his fortune to philanthropic causes, primarily through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This commitment reflects a desire to tackle global problems such as poverty, education, and health.
Notable investments:
Some of Warren Buffett’s most notable investments include:
Coca-Cola: Buffett’s large stake in Coca-Cola is a long-term and successful investment.
Wells Fargo: Berkshire Hathaway’s substantial investment in Wells Fargo underscores Buffett’s faith in the financial industry.
Apple:In recent years, Berkshire Hathaway has invested heavily in Apple, seeing the company’s long-term growth potential.
A Modest Lifestyle: Despite his immense wealth, Buffett maintains a simple and frugal lifestyle. He resides in the same Omaha home he purchased decades ago. Known for his love of hamburgers and cherry Coke, he doesn’t indulge in extravagant luxuries.
Legacy and Lasting Impact: Warren Buffett’s life is a testament to the power of knowledge, discipline, and ethical investing. His legacy as one of the greatest investors in history, coupled with his commitment to philanthropy and continuous learning, has made him an enduring inspiration in the realms of finance, business, and charitable work. As he continues to actively manage Berkshire Hathaway well into his 90s, his influence on future generations remains profound and timeless.