The world is celebrating today as Warren Edward Buffett, the man known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” turns 95. It is not simply a birthday but a global reflection on a life that has redefined investment, reshaped business leadership, and elevated philanthropy to unprecedented heights.
Buffett’s journey, from selling chewing gum and delivering newspapers on the streets of Omaha to steering a $1 trillion business empire, has become one of the most iconic stories in modern capitalism. His estimated wealth, currently between $138 billion and $161 billion, ranks him among the world’s richest individuals. Yet, true to his philosophy, Buffett insists that wealth is a byproduct, not the goal. “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get,” he often says, a principle that continues to guide investors around the world.
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Global leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs have joined in celebrating Buffett’s milestone. Business magnate Bill Gates, his long-time friend and philanthropic partner, once described Buffett as “the most rational thinker I’ve ever met, with the biggest heart for humanity.” Fellow investor Charlie Munger, Buffett’s late partner, had often quipped, “The secret to Warren’s success is that he’s kept learning, decade after decade.” That relentless curiosity remains evident as Buffett maintains his daily routine of reading and analyzing companies, even as he approaches the century mark.
The numbers behind Buffett’s empire are staggering. Under his leadership, Berkshire Hathaway evolved from a failing textile mill into one of the world’s most powerful conglomerates, with holdings in Apple, Coca-Cola, American Express, GEICO, and dozens of other global giants. Its annual earnings surpass $45 billion before tax, making it not just an investment company but an institution. Analysts note that 95% of Buffett’s fortune was built after age 65, an extraordinary testament to the compounding effect he has preached for decades.
Beyond wealth, Buffett’s life remains a study in modesty. He still resides in the same Omaha home he purchased in 1958 for $31,500, drives himself to work, and lives on a salary of $100,000. In an age of flamboyant billionaires, his humility has become as legendary as his financial genius. “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently,” Buffett has often advised, underscoring his moral compass in business.
Philanthropy is another cornerstone of Buffett’s legacy. As co-founder of the Giving Pledge, he has vowed to give away 99% of his fortune. In recent years, he has donated billions to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as family-led foundations focused on health, education, and poverty alleviation. His giving underscores his belief that “If you’re in the luckiest 1% of humanity, you owe it to the rest of humanity to think about the other 99%.”
As Buffett transitions leadership of Berkshire Hathaway to Greg Abel later this year, the world is watching closely. Yet, there is little doubt his values—discipline, patience, and principle—will remain embedded in the company’s DNA. Even now, at 95, Buffett is not retiring from influence. His letters to shareholders, often dubbed “the gospel of investing,” continue to shape thinking on Wall Street, Main Street, and beyond.
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From Wall Street to Silicon Valley, from Lagos to London, Warren Buffett’s story inspires leaders across industries. His life is proof that business can be a force for good, that integrity and patience can outlast speculation, and that wealth, when paired with generosity, can transform millions of lives.
As the Oracle of Omaha once remarked: “It’s not necessary to do extraordinary things to get extraordinary results.” At 95, Warren Buffett’s extraordinary life proves exactly that.
