Warren Buffett, the 92-year-old investor and philanthropist, has donated $4.64 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock to five charities. This brings his total giving since 2006 to over $51 billion. The largest annual donation made by Buffett, it consisted of approximately 13.7 million Class B shares.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation received the majority of the donation, with 10.45 million shares worth over $39 billion. The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, named after Warren Buffett’s late first wife, received 1.05 million shares. The remaining 2.2 million shares were split equally among the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the Sherwood Foundation, and the NoVo Foundation, which are led by his children.
Buffett is gradually giving away the majority of his fortune, which he built at Berkshire Hathaway. He has already donated more than half of his Berkshire stock and still retains approximately $112.5 billion, or 15% of the company’s shares.
Warren Buffett, along with Bill Gates, initiated the Giving Pledge, a commitment by wealthy individuals to dedicate at least half of their wealth to philanthropy. Over 240 people, including notable figures like Michael Bloomberg, Larry Ellison, Carl Icahn, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg, have joined this pledge.
Buffett attributes his success to simple and sound decision-making, the long-term growth potential of the United States (referred to as the “American tailwind”), and the compounding effects of his investments. Berkshire Hathaway, under his leadership since 1965, has grown into a $740 billion company with diverse holdings in businesses like BNSF railroad, Geico car insurance, and investments in companies like Apple Inc.
The charities benefiting from Buffett’s recent donation include the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, which focuses on reproductive health, and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which addresses hunger, conflicts, and public safety. The Sherwood Foundation supports nonprofits in Nebraska, while the NoVo Foundation focuses on initiatives for girls and women.
