“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” – Warren Buffett, American business magnate, investor and philanthropist
Warren Edward Buffett, widely known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” has built an extraordinary legacy as one of history’s most successful investors. Born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Howard and Leila Buffett, he was the second of three children and the only son. His father was a stockbroker and four-term U.S. congressman who held Republican and libertarian views.
Early Life and Education
Buffett showed entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, selling chewing gum, Coca-Cola, and magazines to make a profit. By age 11, he had purchased his first stock, demonstrating his early interest in investing. At 14, he made his first real estate investment, further showcasing his financial acumen.
After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a business administration degree in 1951, Buffett was rejected by Harvard but went on to study at Columbia Business School under Benjamin Graham, the legendary “father of value investing”. This mentorship proved formative, as Graham’s philosophy of buying undervalued companies and holding them long-term became central to Buffett’s investment strategy.
Building Berkshire Hathaway
After earning his Master of Science in economics from Columbia, Buffett briefly worked at his father’s brokerage firm, Buffet-Falk Company. He then worked at Graham’s partnership before returning to Omaha in 1956, where he began purchasing stock in undervalued companies and building his portfolio.
In 1962, Buffett started acquiring shares in a struggling textile company called Berkshire Hathaway. By 1965, he had gained control of the company, naming himself director after owning forty-nine percent of shares. He fired the original owner, Seabury Stanton, and in the late 1960s, bought out the other majority shareholder, Jack Ringwalt, for nearly nine million dollars. Buffett became CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in 1970, transforming it from a faltering textile mill into a financial powerhouse.
Investment Philosophy and Success
The quote “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago” perfectly encapsulates Buffett’s investment philosophy. As a true value investor, he focuses on purchasing underpriced but solid companies and holding them for the long term. This approach emphasizes patience and foresight—planting seeds today that will grow into towering trees providing shade (returns) for future generations.
Through sound investments and strategic acquisitions, Buffett turned Berkshire Hathaway into a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate. His personal fortune has grown to over $150 billion according to Forbes, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
Philanthropy and Legacy Planning
Despite his immense wealth, Buffett is known for his modest lifestyle. In 2008, he earned a total compensation of just $175,000, which included a base salary of only $100,000. He has lived in the same five-bedroom stucco house in Omaha since 1958.
In 2006, Buffett announced he would gradually give away 85% of his Berkshire holdings to five foundations, with the largest contribution going to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He has pledged to donate the vast majority of his personal fortune to charitable causes upon his death.
Retirement Announcement
In a significant development, Warren Buffett recently announced his plans to retire in 2025. This announcement marks the end of an era for one of the most influential investors in history. In 2007, Buffett had mentioned in a letter to shareholders that he was looking for a younger successor, or perhaps successors, to run his investment business.
The timing of his retirement coincides with his vision of planting trees for others to enjoy the shade. Through his decades of wise investments and business acumen, Buffett has created lasting value that will continue to benefit stakeholders long after his retirement.
The quote about planting trees reflects not only his investment strategy but also his approach to succession planning and philanthropy—ensuring that the shade of his achievements continues to benefit others for generations to come.
