Warren Buffett, the Oracle of Omaha, turns 96 today in his first birthday since stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway's CEO after six decades at the helm. According to The Economic Times, Buffett handed over the CEO role to longtime deputy Greg Abel on January 1, 2026, but remains chairman of the board and continues to make major investment decisions. Despite his enormous financial success, Buffett has maintained a famously simple lifestyle, including his fondness for Cherry Coke and burgers, and continues to work from his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, rather than Wall Street.
Buffett's investment philosophy centers on buying quality businesses at attractive prices, rarely buying stocks at more than 15 times forward earnings. As reported by The Economic Times, he has built his approach around downside protection ahead of potential upside, focusing on predictable cash flows and clean balance sheets to reduce risk during market downturns. His long-term holdings have included Coca-Cola, American Express and Wells Fargo, while he has trimmed major positions in Apple, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and Paramount Global in recent years.
Buffett emphasizes the importance of staying within one's 'circle of competence', stating that investors only need to evaluate companies within their expertise boundaries. According to The Economic Times, he famously avoided technology stocks during the dot-com boom of the late 1990s, believing forecasting young technology companies' survival was outside his expertise. The Nasdaq subsequently collapsed by as much as 75% between 2000 and 2002. When Berkshire eventually invested in Apple in 2016, Buffett based the decision on consumer habits and brand loyalty rather than technology itself.
At the end of the second quarter of 2025, five stocks - American Express, Apple, Bank of America, Coca-Cola and Chevron - accounted for nearly 70% of Berkshire's roughly $300 billion equity portfolio. As reported by The Economic Times, Buffett himself holds more than 99% of his net worth in Berkshire shares, a stake valued at about ₹3,660 crore. Berkshire has avoided issuing stock for acquisitions and never granted stock-based compensation, resulting in share count increasing by only about 40% since 1965.
Buffett has repeatedly emphasized maintaining emotional control during financial crises, telling investors to 'check your emotions at the door when you invest'. Following the 1987 US market crash, he invested roughly $1 billion in Coca-Cola in 1988 and 1989, with Coca-Cola's share price climbing nearly 2,800% from his original purchase price by 2025. During the 2008 global financial crisis, he invested $5 billion in Goldman Sachs and made a profit of $500 million when the company bought back its shares in 2011. At Berkshire's 2025 annual shareholders meeting, he reinforced this principle, telling investors to maintain their composure during market volatility.
Buffett began investing at age 12 and took control of a struggling textile company in 1965, transforming it into Berkshire Hathaway now valued at more than $1 trillion with annual after-tax operating earnings of about ₹3,660 crore. As reported by The Economic Times, despite stepping down as CEO, he plans to remain active as Berkshire's chairman and continue working daily in 2026. He has pledged to donate the vast majority of his wealth and continues to make major investment decisions, including building a $36.6 billion stake in Google's parent company, Alphabet in recent quarters. His career reflects his belief that work should be enjoyable rather than endured, with Berkshire shares climbing thirtyfold since his 65th birthday.
