Autobiography of Warren Buffett
(The Life Story of the Oracle of Omaha)
I was born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, during a time when America was struggling through the Great Depression. My father, Howard Buffett, was a stockbroker and later a U.S. congressman, and my mother, Leila, was a homemaker. From a very young age, numbers fascinated me. I was not particularly interested in toys or games—money, businesses, and figures captured my imagination instead.
Early Signs of a Business Mind
My interest in business began early. At the age of six, I bought six bottles of Coca-Cola from my grandfather’s grocery store and sold them individually for a profit. By the time I was eleven, I made my first stock investment, buying shares of Cities Service Preferred. Although I sold too early and missed greater gains, the experience taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: patience matters in investing.
As a teenager, I ran multiple small businesses—delivering newspapers, selling magazines, and even operating pinball machines in barber shops. By the time I finished high school, I had already saved thousands of dollars, an unusual achievement for someone my age.
Education and Mentorship
I attended the University of Nebraska, where I studied business and graduated early. Later, I applied to Harvard Business School but was rejected—a setback that turned out to be a blessing. Instead, I enrolled at Columbia Business School, where I studied under Benjamin Graham, the father of value investing. Graham became my mentor and profoundly shaped my investment philosophy.
From him, I learned to see stocks not as pieces of paper to trade, but as ownership in real businesses. This principle became the foundation of everything I would later achieve.
Early Career and the Birth of Berkshire Hathaway
After working briefly with Benjamin Graham, I returned to Omaha and started my own investment partnerships. In 1965, I took control of a struggling textile company called Berkshire Hathaway. While the textile business eventually failed, Berkshire became the investment vehicle through which I built one of the greatest financial empires in history.
Through Berkshire Hathaway, I invested in high-quality companies with strong brands and durable competitive advantages. Some of my most famous investments include Coca-Cola, American Express, GEICO, Apple, See’s Candies, and Bank of America.
Investment Philosophy
My investment philosophy is simple but disciplined:
- Buy wonderful companies at fair prices
- Hold them for the long term
- Avoid speculation and unnecessary risk
- Focus on management quality and business fundamentals
I have always believed that the stock market is a tool for transferring money from the impatient to the patient. I do not try to predict market movements; instead, I focus on long-term value.
Personal Life and Values
Despite my wealth, I have lived a modest life. I still live in the same Omaha house I bought in 1958, prefer simple food, and maintain a routine lifestyle. I believe that happiness does not come from money but from purpose, relationships, and integrity.
In 2006, I pledged to give away more than 99% of my wealth to philanthropy, primarily through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other charitable organizations. I believe that those who have been extraordinarily lucky have a responsibility to give back to society.
Legacy and Impact
Today, I am often called the “Oracle of Omaha” because of my long-term investment success and straightforward wisdom. Berkshire Hathaway has grown into one of the most valuable companies in the world, and my annual shareholder letters are read globally as lessons in business, economics, and life.
More than wealth, my legacy is built on discipline, ethical investing, patience, and lifelong learning. I believe anyone can succeed—not by being smarter than others, but by being more rational, honest, and consistent.
Warren Buffett, famously known as the Oracle of Omaha, is one of the most successful investors of all time. As the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett built a multi-trillion-dollar business empire by following a disciplined approach known as value investing. His companies span insurance, energy, railroads, manufacturing, and global brands like Apple and Coca-Cola.
This article provides a detailed SEO-optimized guide to Warren Buffett’s life, companies, investment strategy, and long-term legacy.
Who Is Warren Buffett?
Warren Edward Buffett was born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska. From an early age, Buffett showed a natural talent for business and numbers. By age 11, he had purchased his first stock, and by his teenage years, he was running multiple small ventures.
He completed his education at:
- University of Nebraska
- Columbia Business School (under Benjamin Graham)
Benjamin Graham’s philosophy of value investing became the foundation of Buffett’s investment success.
Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway
The Transformation of Berkshire Hathaway
In 1965, Warren Buffett acquired Berkshire Hathaway, originally a struggling textile company. Instead of focusing on textiles, Buffett turned it into a holding company used to acquire and invest in high-quality businesses.
Today, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is one of the most valuable companies in the world.
Companies Owned by Berkshire Hathaway (Complete Overview)
- Insurance Companies (Foundation of Berkshire Hathaway)
Insurance businesses provide Berkshire with massive investment capital known as “float.”
Major insurance companies include:
- GEICO
- General Re
- National Indemnity Company
- Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group
These companies generate billions in premiums annually and fund Berkshire’s investments.
BNSF Railway is one of North America’s largest freight railroad networks.
Key facts:
- Acquired fully in 2010
- Transports agricultural goods, energy products, and consumer items
- Considered a long-term investment tied to U.S. economic growth
Berkshire Hathaway Energy operates electricity, gas, and renewable energy companies.
Highlights:
- Heavy investment in wind and solar energy
- Utility operations in the U.S. and UK
- Stable and regulated earnings
- Manufacturing, Retail, and Consumer Brands
Berkshire Hathaway owns dozens of well-known brands, including:
- Duracell
- Fruit of the Loom
- Dairy Queen
- See’s Candies
- Precision Castparts
- Lubrizol
These companies operate independently under strong management teams.
Warren Buffett’s Stock Investments (Public Companies)
Berkshire Hathaway also holds large shares in publicly traded companies:
- Apple Inc.
- Coca-Cola
- American Express
- Bank of America
- Chevron
- Moody’s
Buffett prefers companies with strong brand power, consistent profits, and economic moats.
Warren Buffett’s Investment Philosophy (SEO Focus)
Value Investing Strategy
Buffett buys companies below their intrinsic value, focusing on fundamentals rather than market trends.
Long-Term Investing
“Our favorite holding period is forever.”
Economic Moat
Companies must have durable competitive advantages.
Management Quality
Buffett invests in businesses run by honest and capable leaders.
Simplicity Over Speculation
He avoids businesses he does not fully understand.
Warren Buffett’s Leadership Style and Personality
Despite being one of the world’s richest individuals, Warren Buffett lives a modest life:
- Lives in the same Omaha home since 1958
- Known for humility and transparency
- Writes annual shareholder letters studied worldwide
His character reflects discipline, patience, and ethical capitalism.
Warren Buffett’s Philanthropy and The Giving Pledge
Warren Buffett is also one of the largest philanthropists in history.
- Donated most of his wealth to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Co-founded The Giving Pledge, encouraging billionaires to donate wealth for social good
Legacy of Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett’s impact extends beyond investing:
- Changed how the world views long-term investing
- Proved ethics and patience outperform speculation
- Inspired millions of investors and entrepreneurs globally
Warren Buffett’s success lies not in quick profits but in wisdom, discipline, and long-term vision. Through Berkshire Hathaway and its companies, Buffett created a business empire that stands as a model of sustainable capitalism.
His journey remains a blueprint for investors seeking long-term wealth creation.
Warren Buffett’s business empire is built under Berkshire Hathaway Inc., a multinational holding company that owns wholly owned subsidiaries and major equity stakes in publicly traded companies.
- Insurance Companies (Backbone of Berkshire Hathaway)
Insurance companies generate float—money collected as premiums that Buffett invests before claims are paid.
Major Insurance Subsidiaries
🔹 GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company)
- One of the largest auto insurers in the United States
- Known for low-cost, direct-to-consumer insurance
- Major contributor to Berkshire’s long-term profits
🔹 General Re
- Global reinsurance company
- Provides coverage to other insurance firms worldwide
- Strengthens Berkshire’s global insurance reach
🔹 National Indemnity Company
- One of Berkshire’s earliest acquisitions
- Covers specialty insurance markets
🔹 Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group
- Handles large, complex insurance risks
- One of the world’s most powerful reinsurance operations
- Transportation Company
🚆 BNSF Railway
- One of North America’s largest freight rail networks
- Acquired fully in 2010
- Transports coal, oil, agricultural goods, and consumer products
- Strategic investment tied to long-term U.S. economic growth
- Energy & Utilities
⚡ Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE)
- Owns electric, gas, and renewable energy utilities
- Strong investments in wind and solar energy
- Operations in the U.S., UK, and Canada
- Generates stable and regulated cash flows
- Manufacturing Companies
🏭 Precision Castparts
- Manufactures aerospace and industrial components
- Supplies major aircraft manufacturers
- One of Berkshire’s largest acquisitions
🏭 Marmon Holdings
- Produces industrial products, transportation equipment, and electrical components
- Operates multiple manufacturing businesses under one umbrella
🏭 Lubrizol Corporation
- Specialty chemicals company
- Products used in lubricants, fuels, and industrial applications
- Consumer Products & Retail Brands
👕 Fruit of the Loom
- Global clothing brand
- Produces underwear, casualwear, and sportswear
🔋 Duracell
- One of the world’s most recognized battery brands
- Acquired from Procter & Gamble
🍦 Dairy Queen
- International fast-food and ice cream chain
- Strong global franchise model
🍬 See’s Candies
- Premium chocolate and confectionery brand
- Famous example of Buffett’s “brand loyalty” investment
- Service-Based Businesses
🏠 Clayton Homes
- Largest manufactured housing company in the U.S.
- Provides affordable housing solutions
🧱 Shaw Industries
- World’s largest carpet manufacturer
- Supplies residential and commercial flooring
🧱 Johns Manville
- Manufactures insulation and construction materials
✈ NetJets
- Private jet ownership and charter service
- Serves high-net-worth individuals and corporations
- Retail & Distribution Companies
🛒 McLane Company
- Major distributor of groceries and food products
- Supplies retailers and restaurants across the U.S.
- Media & Publishing (Past and Partial Holdings)
- Previously owned multiple newspapers
- Focused on local journalism and long-term readership value
Publicly Traded Companies Warren Buffett Invests In
These are major shareholdings, not full ownership.
📈 Top Equity Investments
- Apple Inc. (largest holding)
- Coca-Cola
- American Express
- Bank of America
- Chevron
- Moody’s
Buffett prefers companies with:
- Strong brand power
- Predictable earnings
- Long-term competitive advantage (economic moat)
How Warren Buffett Manages These Companies
- Minimal interference in daily operations
- Trust in capable management
- Focus on long-term performance
- Decentralized corporate structure
This model is frequently studied in business schools worldwide.
Summary: Buffett’s Business Empire at a Glance
| Sector | Examples |
| Insurance | GEICO, General Re |
| Railroads | BNSF Railway |
| Energy | Berkshire Hathaway Energy |
| Manufacturing | Precision Castparts, Lubrizol |
| Consumer Brands | Duracell, Dairy Queen |
| Services | NetJets, Clayton Homes |
| Equity Investments | Apple, Coca-Cola |
For more readings;
