The Oracle of Omaha keeps breaking records. At 95 years old, Warren Buffett sits on a fortune worth $144 billion, making him one of the world’s wealthiest individuals. His journey from selling chewing gum as a kid to building a trillion-dollar empire is nothing short of legendary.
But here’s what makes his story fascinating. He’s not just rich he’s giving almost all of it away. While his net worth climbs, he’s already donated over $60 billion to charity. Let’s dive into how he built this massive fortune and what’s next.
How Did Warren Buffett Build His $144 Billion Fortune?
Buffett didn’t get rich overnight. He bought his first stock at age 11 three shares of Cities Service. By 14, he’d already invested in a working farm.
His real breakthrough came in 1965. He acquired Berkshire Hathaway, a struggling textile company. Instead of fixing textiles, he transformed it into an investment powerhouse. Today, Berkshire owns everything from Geico insurance to Dairy Queen ice cream shops.
| Year | Net Worth | Key Milestone |
| 1956 | $140,000 | Launched Buffett Partnership |
| 1960 | $1 million | Hit millionaire status at 30 |
| 1985 | ~$1 billion | Became billionaire at 55 |
| 2008 | $62 billion | Named world’s richest person |
| 2025 | $144 billion | 11th richest globally |
His strategy? Buy great companies cheap and hold them forever. He calls it value investing. Benjamin Graham taught him this approach at Columbia University. Buffett took it and ran with it for seven decades.
Warren Buffett’s Top Portfolio Holdings in 2025
Apple dominates Buffett’s portfolio like no other stock. Despite trimming his stake recently, it still represents 22% of Berkshire’s holdings worth $65 billion. He views Apple as a consumer brand, not just tech.
Here are the top five holdings:
| Company | Market Value | Portfolio % |
| Apple | $65 billion | 22% |
| American Express | $48 billion | 18% |
| Bank of America | $29 billion | 11% |
| Coca-Cola | $28 billion | 10% |
| Chevron | $19 billion | 7% |
These five stocks alone account for 68% of Berkshire’s equity portfolio. Talk about concentration. Most fund managers would panic, but Buffett believes in putting eggs in one basket and watching it closely.
American Express has been in his portfolio since the 1990s. He’s held Coca-Cola for over 30 years. These aren’t quick flips they’re lifetime commitments. The iPhone maker joined the club in 2016 and quickly became his biggest bet.
What Is Warren Buffett’s Investment Strategy for 2025?
Buffett’s sitting on $334 billion in cash right now. That’s not laziness it’s strategy. He’s waiting for the right opportunities while markets feel overpriced.
His approach remains unchanged:
- Buy quality businesses with strong fundamentals
- Hold forever unless something changes
- Stay patient during market chaos
- Think long-term, not quarterly
He doesn’t chase hot stocks or trends. When everyone’s greedy, he gets cautious. When others panic, he pounces. This contrarian mindset has made him billions over six decades.
Recent moves show his caution. He’s trimmed Apple, reduced Bank of America, and stockpiled cash. But he also made a surprise $4.9 billion bet on Alphabet (Google’s parent). That’s vintage Buffett spotting value while others hesitate.
Warren Buffett’s Net Worth: From Millionaire at 30 to Billionaire at 56
Buffett hit millionaire status at 30 years old. Not bad for a newspaper delivery kid from Omaha. But here’s the kicker: he didn’t become a billionaire until age 56.
Even crazier? He made 99% of his wealth after turning 50. That’s the power of compound interest over time. He didn’t rush. He stayed consistent. He let time work its magic.
| Age | Net Worth | Life Event |
| 11 | ~$6,000 | Bought first stock |
| 30 | $1 million | Hit first million |
| 56 | ~$1 billion | Became billionaire |
| 65 | $3.6 billion | Started accelerating |
| 95 | $144 billion | Current fortune |
His journey proves that wealth-building isn’t about getting rich quick. It’s about getting rich slowly and surely. Patience beats panic every single time.
Berkshire Hathaway’s Recent Moves: What Buffett Is Buying and Selling
Q3 2025 brought some eyebrow-raising changes. Buffett added Alphabet to his portfolio with 17.8 million shares worth $4.9 billion. That’s his first major tech purchase in years (besides Apple).
Recent Buys:
- Alphabet (new position): $4.9 billion
- Domino’s Pizza: Increased 13%
- Chubb Insurance: Boosted 16%
- Constellation Brands: Notable addition
Recent Sells:
- Apple: Trimmed another 6.7%
- Bank of America: Reduced 4.2%
- BYD: Completely exited
He’s reshaping the portfolio while maintaining core positions. The cash pile keeps growing. Some analysts see this as preparation for market chaos. Others think he’s waiting for massive acquisition opportunities.
Warren Buffett’s Retirement Plans and Greg Abel Succession
The big news? Buffett’s stepping down as CEO on January 1, 2026. After 60 years at the helm, he’s handing the reins to Greg Abel. But don’t worry he’s staying on as chairman.
Abel isn’t a stranger. He’s been Berkshire’s vice chairman since 2018. He runs the company’s non-insurance businesses and chairs Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Buffett’s been grooming him for years.
| Detail | Information |
| New CEO | Greg Abel |
| Effective Date | January 1, 2026 |
| Age | 62 years old |
| Background | Energy sector veteran |
| Buffett’s Role | Remains chairman |
Buffett’s confidence is clear. He’s keeping every single share of Berkshire stock. He believes prospects under Abel’s leadership will be even better. That’s quite an endorsement.
How Much Would Warren Buffett Be Worth Without His Philanthropy?
Here’s a mind-blowing fact. If Buffett hadn’t donated to charity, his net worth could exceed $340 billion. That would make him the world’s richest person by a massive margin.
He’s given away over $60 billion since 2006. Most went to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He also supports four family foundations run by his children.
Philanthropic Commitments:
- Pledged 99% of wealth to charity
- Co-founded Giving Pledge with Bill Gates
- Donated $60+ billion already
- Latest gift: $1.3 billion (November 2025)
He signed the Giving Pledge in 2010. This movement encourages billionaires to give away at least half their fortune. Over 250 billionaires have joined. But Buffett’s going further he’s giving nearly everything.
FAQs
What is Warren Buffett’s net worth in 2025?
Warren Buffett’s net worth stands at $144 billion as of November 2025.
When is Warren Buffett retiring as CEO?
Buffett steps down as CEO on January 1, 2026, but remains chairman.
Who is replacing Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway?
Greg Abel takes over as CEO, effective January 1, 2026.
What is Warren Buffett’s biggest stock holding?
Apple remains his largest position at $65 billion, representing 22% of the portfolio.
How much has Warren Buffett donated to charity?
He’s donated over $60 billion since 2006 and pledged 99% of his wealth.
What is Berkshire Hathaway’s cash position in 2025?
Berkshire holds a record $334 billion in cash and short-term investments.
Conclusion
Warren Buffett built an empire by sticking to simple principles. Buy great companies. Hold them forever. Stay patient during storms. Think decades, not days.
His $144 billion fortune proves that consistency beats complexity. Even as he prepares to retire, his legacy lives on through Berkshire Hathaway. With Greg Abel taking over and Buffett staying as chairman, the Oracle’s wisdom continues guiding one of history’s greatest investment machines.
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, transformed the computer world and later made a global impact in philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
