Biography
Warren Buffett is the most successful investor in history. Born in Omaha in 1930, he bought his first stock at age 11 (three shares of Cities Service Preferred at $38), filed his first tax return at 13 (deducting his bicycle as a business expense), and was worth $1 million by 30. His investing philosophy — buying great businesses at fair prices and holding them indefinitely — built Berkshire Hathaway into a conglomerate with a market cap over $1 trillion.
Berkshire's portfolio spans GEICO, BNSF Railway, Dairy Queen, Duracell, See's Candies, and large equity stakes in Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola. Buffett's annual shareholder letters have become required reading for investors worldwide — dense with wisdom, humor, and insight delivered without jargon. He has pledged to give away 99% of his fortune, primarily to the Gates Foundation.
At 94, Buffett remains one of the most influential voices in finance. His relationship with technology has been famously complicated: he avoided tech stocks for decades, calling them outside his 'circle of competence,' then made Apple his largest holding and earned billions. His skepticism of Tesla, SpaceX, and most of Musk's ventures represents a genuine philosophical divide — value investing versus disruptive innovation.
Did You Know?
Buffett has lived in the same Omaha house since 1958, which he bought for $31,500. He calls it 'the third-best investment I ever made.' It's now worth about $1.4 million — a remarkably modest return by his standards.
Elon MuskvsWarren Buffett
Buffett and Musk represent the two great theories of American capitalism: patient value investing vs relentless disruption. Buffett buys moats; Musk destroys them. Their philosophical clash occasionally surfaces in pointed public exchanges, and their portfolios couldn't be more different.
Head to Head
Net Worth Scale
Competing Businesses
Rivalry Timeline
Musk mocks Buffett's 'moat' concept on a Tesla earnings call: 'Moats are lame... the only true moat is to move fast.' Buffett responds at Berkshire's annual meeting: 'Moats are very much alive. Elon may turn things upside down in some areas, but I don't think he wants to take on candy.'
Tesla's market cap surpasses Berkshire Hathaway's. Musk posts on X. Buffett does not respond and continues eating Cherry Coke and See's Candy.
Tesla becomes one of the most profitable stocks in history. Berkshire's most boring holding, Apple, does almost as well. Different paths, similarly large outcomes.
Buffett warns about speculation and AI hype in his annual letter. Musk raises $6B for xAI the same month. Two worldviews, one moment.
