Warren Buffett: The Oracle of Omaha's Road to Success

Diving into the captivating journey of Warren Buffett, one of the most successful and famous investors of all time, this text traces his trajectory from a child entrepreneur in Omaha to his evolution into an investment titan. It explores Buffett's early business ventures, his wealth accumulation through Berkshire Hathaway, his transformative partnership and lifelong friendship with Charlie Munger, and his significant philanthropic contributions. These insights underscore the powerful intersection of pursuing one's passion and fostering meaningful relationships, a balanced approach that can lead to both success and happiness.

• Born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1930, Buffett showed a knack for business and numbers from a young age. His first venture was selling Coca-Cola at a profit, followed by a successful stint in the pinball machine business as a teenager.

• Buffett's initiation into the stock market began at age 11 with a purchase of Cities Service shares. Although he sold them for a modest profit, the experience taught him a valuable lesson about patience in investing.

• Buffett began investing in Berkshire Hathaway, a textile company, in 1962, eventually gaining control in 1965. He transformed it into a powerhouse conglomerate, shifting its focus towards the insurance industry and other profitable ventures.

• His investment philosophy evolved substantially after meeting Charlie Munger in 1959. Munger influenced Buffett to focus on the quality and long-term potential of investments rather than just price, leading to investments in high-quality companies like Coca-Cola and American Express.

The story begins in Omaha, Nebraska, when Warren Buffett was born on August 30, 1930. Born to a stockbroker, Buffett's understanding of numbers and business was visible from an early age. The first sign of his entrepreneurial spirit appeared when he was just six years old. He purchased six-packs of Coca-Cola from his grandfather's grocery store for twenty-five cents and sold each of the bottles for a nickel, pocketing a five-cent profit. Though a seemingly small venture, it was an early glimpse into Buffett's talent for spotting profit opportunities.

He later went into the pinball machine business as a teenager. This was during the time when pinball machines were a popular form of entertainment in barbershops. In partnership with a friend, a 17-year-old Buffett bought a used pinball machine for $25 and installed it in a barbershop. The profits allowed them to buy another machine in just a few months. Shortly after, they had multiple machines in several different barbershops, a mini empire of sorts. They eventually sold the business for $1,200, a significant return on their initial $25 investment.

One of Buffett's more well-known early business ventures was his paper route. He delivered The Washington Post and made about $175 a month as a teenager, a sum larger than his teachers' salaries at the time. He even claimed a $35 tax deduction for his bicycle, demonstrating his early understanding of business expenses and taxes.

Buffett's initiation into the stock market came when he was just eleven years old. He purchased shares in a company called Cities Service for $38 per share. He sold his shares for a small profit after the stock fell and subsequently rebounded, only to watch the stock soar to nearly $200 per share soon after. This early lesson in patience had a profound impact on Buffett's investment philosophy, laying the foundation for a journey that would lead him to become the wealthiest individual in the world by 2008.

When discussing wealth, an inevitable question arises – what is Warren Buffett's net worth? Estimated at approximately $115 billion as of July 2023, this places him as the sixth wealthiest individual globally. However, Buffett's narrative extends beyond his fortune. What truly distinguishes his story is the extraordinary magnitude of his charitable giving, as well as his invaluable contributions to the world of business and investing.

His most significant charitable commitment came in the form of "The Giving Pledge," announced in 2006. Through this pledge, Buffett promised to donate an astounding 99% of his fortune to philanthropic endeavors either during his lifetime or upon his death. The bulk of his wealth was initially promised to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with a staggering pledge of approximately 10 million Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares, a sum valued at about $31 billion at the time.

In addition to this, Buffett generously contributes to other philanthropic efforts on an annual basis. These include the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, a tribute to his late first wife, and three foundations led by his children: the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the Sherwood Foundation, and the NoVo Foundation. It's estimated that Buffett has given away over $50 billion in total. Had it not been for this unprecedented level of giving, it's likely he would still hold the title of the world's wealthiest person.

Central to Warren Buffett's wealth creation is Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett began purchasing shares in the company in 1962 when it was merely a textile manufacturing company. After a dispute with its management, he decided to buy a controlling stake in 1965. Reflecting on this decision, he has stated that it was a "$200-billion mistake," sparked by spite.

Upon gaining control of Berkshire Hathaway, one of Buffett's initial strategic decisions was to transition towards the insurance sector. This shift materialized in 1967 when Berkshire acquired the National Indemnity Company, marking its foray into the insurance industry. This strategic pivot played a critical role in Berkshire Hathaway's success, providing a consistent source of 'float' – the insurance premiums collected before claims are paid out, available for investment. To this day, insurance companies constitute a significant portion of Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio.

Buffett then proceeded to masterfully transform Berkshire Hathaway into the most successful holding company in history measured by investment returns. Under Buffett's stewardship, Berkshire Hathaway's book value per share skyrocketed from $19 to well over $400,000. This represents an astonishing compound annual growth rate of roughly 20% over nearly six decades.

Join 100,000+ other business enthusiasts

Sign up for Edge, our free weekly newsletter.

• Sign up

Berkshire Hathaway's success wouldn't be the same without Charlie Munger, Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway since 1978. Buffett and Munger first met in 1959 at a dinner in Omaha, which was arranged by a mutual contact. Upon meeting, they quickly realized that they shared a similar investment philosophy grounded in value investing principles. They also found that they had a common sense of humor, similar temperaments, and a shared way of thinking. With this as a basis, they quickly developed a mutual admiration for each other, both intellectually and personally. This was the start of what would become a lifelong friendship and a legendary business partnership.

Buffett's early investment style was heavily influenced by his mentor Benjamin Graham, who is often referred to as the “father of value investing.” Graham's strategy focused on buying stocks that were so cheap they were almost like buying a dollar for fifty cents – often referred to as “cigar-butt” investing. This approach concentrated on short-term gains, where investors picked up discarded companies at bargain prices and sold them when there was a slight uptick in their price.

Munger, on the other hand, was always more inclined towards quality over quantity. He believed in investing in outstanding businesses with strong moats and holding them for the long term. Munger saw that companies that were able to deploy capital at high rates of return over an extended period could far exceed the returns obtained from the traditional cigar-butt approach.

When Munger and Buffett started collaborating closely during the 1960s, Munger shared these insights with Buffett. He encouraged him to consider not just the price, but the quality and potential for compounding when making investment decisions. This led to a notable evolution in Buffett's investment philosophy. He began to appreciate the importance of both the quality and the growth prospects of a business rather than focusing solely on its price. Buffett himself has admitted several times that this change in his thinking was largely due to Munger's influence.

This transition can be seen in the type of investments Berkshire Hathaway began to make. Buffett started investing in companies like Coca-Cola, American Express, and See’s Candies – businesses with strong brands and durable competitive advantages that could compound capital for decades.

Buffett and Munger's friendship and business partnership is one for the history books, demonstrating the power of shared vision, mutual respect, intellectual stimulation, and following one's passion.

Despite being one of the wealthiest people in the world, Warren Buffett is widely known for his frugal lifestyle. His habits reflect a level of simplicity and humility that's unexpected in a billionaire, offering fascinating insights into his personal philosophy.

Perhaps the most famous example of Buffett's frugality is his residence. In 1958, Buffett bought a house in Omaha for $31,500, where he still lives more than six decades later. This unpretentious five-bedroom house is today worth just 0.001% of his total new worth and stands as one of the clearest examples of his modest lifestyle.

While many billionaires wear luxury watches like Patek Philippe or Rolex, Buffett prefers his relatively modest Timex. His wardrobe also mirrors this simplicity, with a preference for suits from the mid-priced store, Jos. A. Bank. Even his vehicle of choice aligns with this frugal lifestyle, a 2014 Cadillac XTS. His diet is no exception, as he's known to start his day with a breakfast from McDonald's which he picks up during his commute to the office, spending no more than $3.17. One fun fact is that he chooses his breakfast based on whether the stock market opens up, down, or flat for the day.

Buffett's lifestyle sends a powerful message about consumption and the use of wealth. Despite having the means to afford almost anything, he chooses simplicity and financial prudence. This choice manifests the timeless truth that wealth does not necessarily translate to extravagant spending, and that there is an inherent value, and even elegance, in consciously living below one's means.

Another pivotal person in Buffett's life is Astrid Menks, his second wife. The two first met in the late 1970s when Menks was working as a waitress at a French café in Omaha. Buffett was still married to his first wife Susan at the time, but the couple was living separately. Susan, who was pursuing a career in music in San Francisco, reportedly introduced Menks to Buffett and even suggested she move in with him to keep him company.

Menks and Buffett lived together for many years before they were officially married. Despite this, they were seen as a couple by their friends and the Omaha community. Susan never asked for a divorce, and the trio maintained an unconventional yet friendly arrangement until her death in 2004.

Menks and Buffett decided to marry following Susan's death. They held a very private ceremony in 2006 on Buffett's 76th birthday. Their life together is described as simple and unpretentious, much like Buffett's lifestyle. Menks is known to share Buffett's love for a low-key, frugal lifestyle, and she is rarely in the public eye.

Their relationship, while unconventional by typical standards, is characterized by mutual respect, companionship, and shared values. They continue their life together in Omaha, with Menks being a significant pillar of support for Buffett.

Warren Buffett's journey from a child entrepreneur in Omaha to a globally acclaimed financial oracle highlights not only his investing brilliance but also his humanistic virtues. Despite being one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet, Buffett's frugal lifestyle underlines his belief that success is defined not by material possessions but by one's principles and impact on the world. His dedication to giving away 99% of his wealth underlines his vision of responsible wealth stewardship, hopefully inspiring future generations of billionaires.

As an investor, Buffett's principles of value investing, long-term thinking, and ethical conduct will continue to guide the finance world for decades to come. As a human being, his philosophy encourages us to focus on what truly matters – our values, relationships, and contributions to society. In conclusion, Warren Buffett's story inspires us to pursue our passions and to invest our time in the people we cherish and admire. His life embodies this ethos, serving as a testament to the idea that these are the cornerstones of both success and happiness.