Warren Buffett could’ve been the second-richest man on earth—worth over $347 billion—if he’d just held onto all his Berkshire Hathaway shares. But instead, he gave most of it away. Literally.
In his latest 2025 update, the Oracle of Omaha revealed he’s now donated over $60 billion worth of Berkshire stock to five foundations—including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. And he’s done it without selling a single share for his own benefit.
The Math of Mega Philanthropy
Back in 2006, Buffett owned 474,998 A-shares of Berkshire Hathaway—worth about $43 billion at the time. That was over 98% of his net worth. Since then, he’s been converting those A-shares into B-shares and handing them off in massive blocks each year.
Fast-forward to 2025: he now holds 198,117 A-shares, valued at roughly $145 billion. If he hadn’t given anything away, that number would be closer to $347 billion.
But here’s the kicker: the foundations didn’t just get shares worth $43 billion. Thanks to the magic of compounding and market gains, they ended up receiving over $60 billion in total.
A Decades-Long Commitment
Buffett began this philanthropic streak in June 2006 with a pledge that was never about a flashy one-time gift. His goal? Gradual, compounding generosity. Each year, the same foundations receive new tranches of Berkshire stock. His will even locks in the process—stipulating that 99.5% of his wealth will go to charitable causes.
He’s not budged on the plan for 19 years. No sales. No buys. No backtracking. Just a long, consistent runway of giving.
Why It Matters (and What Investors Should Learn)
Buffett’s story isn’t just about philanthropy—it’s about the power of consistency. He made “simple and generally sound decisions,” leaned into the American economic tailwind, and let compounding do the heavy lifting.
His portfolio didn’t need wild trades or leverage. Just patience and discipline. And in the end, he gave away more wealth than most billionaires ever accumulate—while still sitting on $145 billion.
Final Thought: Giving Without Selling
Most investors dream of building wealth. Buffett showed us how to build it—and give it away—without ever cashing out. That’s legacy-level stuff.
Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. ― Warren Buffett.
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