Warren Buffett, known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” is one of the greatest investors of all time. His simple lifestyle, long-term investment strategies, and decade-long consistency made him a global icon in finance. As the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, he turned a struggling textile company into a multi-trillion-dollar investment empire.
Early Life & Background
Warren Edward Buffett was born on 30 August 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Family
Father: Howard Buffett – Stockbroker & Congressman
Mother: Leila Stahl Buffett
Siblings: Two sisters
From a very young age, Warren showed incredible business sense.
At age 6, he bought Coca-Cola bottles and sold them for profit.
At 11, he bought his first stock.
At 13, he filed his first tax return.
Education
Schooling
Rose Hill Elementary School
Woodrow Wilson High School
College & Higher Studies
Studied at Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Graduated from University of Nebraska
Master’s degree in Economics from Columbia University, where he learned under his mentor Benjamin Graham, the father of value investing.
Early Career – Learning the Market
Buffett started as a stockbroker but wanted to manage money independently.
Key Early Steps
Formed Buffett Partnership Ltd. in 1956
Used value investing principles
Delivered massive returns to investors
Became a millionaire by age 30
His early success created the foundation for his empire.
Berkshire Hathaway – The Turning Point
In the 1960s, Buffett bought shares of a failing textile company called Berkshire Hathaway.
What he did next:
Shut down textile operations
Converted it into a holding company
Started buying great businesses
Today, Berkshire Hathaway owns portions of some of the biggest companies in the world.
Major Investments by Warren Buffett
Owned or Majority Stake
GEICO
Dairy Queen
Duracell
BNSF Railway
Fruit of the Loom
Large Investments
Apple
Coca-Cola
American Express
Bank of America
Chevron
BYD (electric car company)
His strategy is simple:
Buy great companies at fair prices and hold them for decades.
Warren Buffett’s Investing Philosophy
1. Value Investing
Buy undervalued companies with strong fundamentals.
2. Moat
Choose businesses with competitive advantages (brand, patents, scale).
3. Long-Term Focus
Hold for years instead of trading daily.
4. Avoid Debt
Prefer companies with low or manageable debt.
5. Stay within Circle of Competence
Invest only in businesses he fully understands.
Lifestyle & Personality
Despite being a billionaire, Buffett lives very simply.
Lives in the same house he bought in 1958
Eats McDonald’s breakfast
Drinks Coca-Cola daily
Drives his own car
Loves reading (500+ pages a day)
Plays bridge as a hobby
His humility makes him even more admired.
Warren Buffett Net Worth
He is consistently among the top 5 richest people in the world.
Estimated Net Worth:
$120–130 billion+
Main Source
Berkshire Hathaway shareholder value
Buffett still earns a modest salary as CEO — around $100,000 per year.
Philanthropy
Buffett pledged to donate 99% of his wealth.
Key Initiatives
Co-founded The Giving Pledge with Bill Gates
Billions donated to health, education, and poverty programs
Major supporter of Gates Foundation
He believes wealth should be used to improve society.
Achievements
Built the world’s greatest investment company
Inspired millions of investors
Author of financial wisdom followed globally
Influenced corporate governance
Philanthropist on a massive scale
His annual letters to shareholders are considered textbooks in investing.
Why Warren Buffett Inspires Millions?
Made fortunes through intelligence, patience, and discipline
Lives simply despite massive wealth
Encourages long-term thinking
Shares wisdom freely
Focus on ethics and humility
Proof that slow, steady investing beats shortcuts
He is the opposite of flashy billionaires — grounded, wise, and principled.
Conclusion
Warren Buffett’s biography is a timeless lesson in intelligence, patience, and ethical success. From selling newspapers as a kid to managing one of the world’s biggest companies, he remains a symbol of long-term thinking and discipline. His teachings continue to guide investors across the globe.
