Top 50 Interesting and Lesser-Known Facts About Warren Buffett

A well-known American investor, philanthropist, and businessman is Warren Edward Buffett. As the Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the moment, Buffett is regarded as one of the greatest investors of all time. With an estimated net worth of $135 billion as of June 2024, Buffett ranked 10th among the world’s richest people.

Buffett established Buffett Partnership Ltd. in 1956 following a string of business endeavors and investment partnerships. In the end, he bought Berkshire Hathaway, a faltering textile concern, and turned it into a diverse holding corporation.

Buffett rose to the position of Chairman and major stakeholder of the business in 1970, and he has remained in that capacity ever since. Under his direction, Berkshire Hathaway grew to become one of the biggest and most valuable corporations in the world, controlling a variety of companies in sectors including consumer goods, railroads, and utility and insurance industries.

In 1978, Buffett’s longtime business associate Charlie Munger became a vice-chairman of the corporation, adding to the leadership of the organization.

Buffett is known as the “Oracle” or “Sage” of Omaha because of his remarkable stock market performance and dedication to value investment. Buffett is well known for leading a modest and frugal lifestyle, in contrast to many other billionaires, even though he is extremely wealthy. In the worlds of business and finance, his personal investing philosophy—which emphasizes long-term growth and purchasing undervalued companies—has become famous.

Additionally well-known for his charitable activities is Warren Buffett. 99% of his fortune is to be donated, mostly through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as per his commitment. Buffett started The Giving Pledge in 2010 with Bill Gates, urging billionaires to donate at least half of their wealth to philanthropic endeavors.

In this blog post, we’ll explore 50 interesting and lesser-known facts about Warren Buffett that reveal the depth of his character and the unique journey he has taken to become a global icon.

1. He Delivered Newspapers as a Child

Warren Buffett’s first job was delivering newspapers for The Washington Post. At just 13, he filed his first tax return and even deducted his bicycle as a work expense.

2. He Was Rejected by Harvard Business School

After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Nebraska, Buffett applied to Harvard Business School. He was rejected, a decision that led him to Columbia University, where he studied under the legendary Benjamin Graham.

3. Warren Buffett Is a Philanthropist

Despite his vast wealth, Buffett has pledged to give away 99% of his fortune to philanthropic causes, primarily through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He has already donated billions of dollars to various charitable causes.

4. He Bought His First Stock at Age 11

Buffett’s investing career started early. At the age of 11, he bought three shares of Cities Service for himself and three for his sister. He later sold them for a small profit, but this experience taught him valuable lessons about patience.

5. He Reads 500 Pages a Day

Buffett spends about 80% of his day reading. He once said, “Read 500 pages like this every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest.”

6. He Still Lives in the Same House He Bought in 1958

Despite being a billionaire, Warren Buffett lives modestly. He bought his Omaha home in 1958 for $31,500 and continues to live there to this day. He often refers to it as one of his best investments.

7. He Eats Junk Food Regularly

Buffett has famously said that he eats like a six-year-old. He loves fast food and is a fan of McDonald’s and Coca-Cola, consuming multiple cans of Coke each day.

8. He Has a Special Relationship with Coca-Cola

Buffett’s company, Berkshire Hathaway, is one of the largest shareholders of Coca-Cola. Interestingly, Buffett himself drinks five cans of Coke every day and has claimed that a quarter of his daily caloric intake comes from the soft drink.

9. He Does Not Carry a Smartphone

Buffett is famously low-tech. He doesn’t carry a smartphone and prefers a flip phone. He also avoids most forms of modern technology and doesn’t have a computer at his desk.

10. He Bought a Pinball Machine Business in High School

At a young age, Buffett started a pinball machine business with a friend. They bought used pinball machines and placed them in barber shops, splitting the profits with the shop owners. The business was so successful that they eventually owned several machines.

11. He Was Influenced by the Book “The Intelligent Investor”

Warren Buffett considers Benjamin Graham’s The Intelligent Investor as one of the most influential books of his life. The book laid the foundation for Buffett’s value investing approach.

12. He Avoids High-Risk Investments

Unlike many Wall Street investors, Buffett has always focused on low-risk, long-term investments. His philosophy revolves around buying solid companies with strong fundamentals and holding onto them for years, if not decades.

13. He Doesn’t Care Much for Luxury

Despite his immense wealth, Buffett leads a relatively frugal lifestyle. He doesn’t own yachts, private jets, or other typical billionaire status symbols. His main indulgence is his private plane, which he humorously named “The Indefensible” because he once said he’d never buy a plane.

14. He Is a Huge Fan of Bridge

Buffett is an avid bridge player. He enjoys the game so much that he spends around 12 hours a week playing, often partnering with fellow billionaire Bill Gates.

15. He Is the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

Buffett is the long-serving CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a conglomerate that owns companies like Geico, Dairy Queen, and Duracell. Under his leadership, Berkshire Hathaway has grown into one of the world’s largest and most successful companies.

16. He Prefers Public Transport

While many billionaires travel in luxury cars or private jets, Buffett has been known to use public transport, particularly during his younger years.

17. He Loves Dairy Queen

Buffett’s love for Dairy Queen isn’t just a business decision (since Berkshire Hathaway owns the chain), but a personal one as well. He’s a fan of their ice cream and often enjoys visiting the restaurant.

18. He Was Once a Paperboy for the Washington Post

Warren Buffett’s first exposure to business and work came from delivering newspapers for the Washington Post. Interestingly, he later became a major shareholder in the company.

19. He Has Only Sent One Email

Buffett has famously avoided using email and once claimed he had sent only one email in his life. That email was sent to Microsoft co-founder Jeff Raikes, and Buffett has since avoided using email entirely.

20. He Avoids Debt

Buffett has always been cautious about taking on debt. He believes that avoiding debt is one of the most important financial decisions anyone can make.

21. He Never Splits His Stocks

Unlike many companies, Berkshire Hathaway has never split its Class A shares. This has caused the stock price to rise to over $400,000 per share, making it one of the most expensive stocks in the world.

22. He’s Been on the Forbes Rich List Since 1982

Buffett made his first appearance on the Forbes 400 list in 1982 with a net worth of $250 million. Since then, he has consistently ranked among the richest people in the world.

23. He Is a Big Believer in the Power of Compound Interest

Buffett often credits much of his wealth accumulation to the power of compound interest. He believes in reinvesting earnings and letting them grow over time, which has been a key principle in his investing strategy.

24. He Was a Millionaire by Age 30

Buffett became a millionaire at the age of 30 after forming his own investment partnership. His net worth continued to grow exponentially from that point onward.

25. He Avoids Risky Technology Investments

Buffett has always been cautious about investing in technology companies. He famously avoided investing in the tech boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s, which allowed him to avoid the losses suffered by many during the dot-com crash.

26. He’s an Introvert

Despite his fame and fortune, Buffett is known to be an introvert. He prefers quiet time with family, reading, and playing bridge, rather than attending high-profile social events.

27. His Father Was a U.S. Congressman

Warren Buffett’s father, Howard Buffett, was a U.S. Congressman who served four terms in the House of Representatives. Warren credits his father with teaching him many of the financial principles he follows today.

28. He Has No Interest in Living Abroad

Despite being one of the richest people on the planet, Buffett has no interest in living outside of Omaha, Nebraska. He has always said that Omaha provides him with everything he needs and is content staying in his hometown.

29. He Wrote a Book at Age 19

Warren Buffett co-authored a book titled The Law of Partnerships at just 19 years old. It was a guide for aspiring legal and financial professionals.

30. He’s Never Invested in Gold

Buffett is famously skeptical of investing in gold. He has stated that gold doesn’t produce anything and that he prefers to invest in businesses that generate earnings over time.

31. He Has a Strong Sense of Humor

While often seen as serious and analytical, Buffett has a great sense of humor and often cracks jokes during his annual shareholder meetings and interviews.

32. He Prioritizes Health and Longevity

Though he indulges in junk food, Buffett also understands the importance of longevity. He exercises regularly, eats in moderation, and believes that mental well-being plays a crucial role in living a long, fulfilling life.

33. He Has a Modest Office in Omaha

Buffett’s office in Omaha is surprisingly modest. It reflects his down-to-earth personality, and he has been known to keep the same desk and office layout for decades.

34. He Credits His Success to Being Born in America

Buffett often mentions that he was lucky to be born in America, where free-market capitalism allowed him to flourish. He has said that had he been born in a less free society, his skills may have never been fully realized.

35. He’s Known for His Annual Letters

Buffett writes an annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, which has become legendary in the financial world. These letters are known for their clarity, wisdom, and humor and are eagerly anticipated by investors worldwide.

36. He Doesn’t Pay Dividends

Berkshire Hathaway famously does not pay dividends. Buffett believes that reinvesting profits back into the company generates more value for shareholders over the long term.

37. He Is a Big Fan of Breaking Bad

Buffett is a huge fan of the television show Breaking Bad. He once visited the set and met with the show’s creator, Vince Gilligan.

38. He Follows the 25/5 Rule for Productivity

Buffett follows the 25/5 rule to stay productive. He writes down his top 25 goals, prioritizes the top 5, and avoids the remaining 20 at all costs. This helps him focus on what truly matters.

39. He Has Survived Cancer

In 2012, Buffett was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He successfully completed treatment and continues to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

40. He Once Worked for Benjamin Graham

Buffett was so inspired by Benjamin Graham’s teachings that he went to work for him after completing his studies at Columbia. Working with Graham gave Buffett invaluable experience and further shaped his investing philosophy.

41. He Stays Grounded Despite Fame

Despite his immense success and fame, Buffett has remained remarkably humble. He often downplays his achievements and is quick to credit others for his success.

42. He Avoids Investing in Airlines

Buffett once famously called the airline industry a “death trap” for investors. Despite Berkshire Hathaway later buying stakes in multiple airlines, Buffett has remained cautious about the industry as a whole.

43. He’s a Strong Advocate of Ethical Business Practices

Buffett has always emphasized the importance of ethical behavior in business. He believes that trust, honesty, and integrity are essential for long-term success in the business world.

44. He Has a Secret Talent for Ukulele

Buffett has been playing the ukulele for many years and has even performed at shareholder meetings and in public. It’s one of his favorite hobbies and a way for him to unwind.

45. He Doesn’t Spend a Lot of Time Traveling

While many wealthy individuals spend their time jet-setting around the world, Buffett is content to stay close to home. He spends most of his time in Omaha and only travels when necessary.

46. He Prefers to Work with Small Teams

Buffett values efficiency and prefers working with small, close-knit teams. He believes that smaller teams allow for better communication and decision-making, which has contributed to his success at Berkshire Hathaway.

47. He’s a Big Believer in the Power of a Good Reputation

Buffett has often said that a good reputation is invaluable. He advises businesspeople to always act with integrity because a good reputation takes years to build but can be lost in an instant.

48. He’s a Long-Time Friend of Bill Gates

Buffett and Gates have been close friends for many years. They often collaborate on philanthropic initiatives, and Buffett has given a significant portion of his wealth to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

49. He Does Not Have a Personal Heir to His Fortune

Buffett’s children will not inherit his vast fortune. Instead, the bulk of his wealth will go to philanthropic causes, as he believes his children should make their own way in the world without relying on his fortune.

50. He Remains Optimistic About America’s Future

Despite the many challenges the world faces, Buffett remains optimistic about America’s future. He believes that the country’s innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit will continue to drive progress and create opportunities for generations to come.