Warren Buffett has stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, completing another major stage of the conglomerate’s leadership transition after more than six decades with the company. Buffett, 96, has been named chairman emeritus and will remain on Berkshire’s board of directors.
His son Howard Buffett, a Berkshire director since 1993, has been elected chairman of the board. The change does not affect day-to-day leadership: Greg Abel remains chief executive officer after succeeding Warren Buffett as CEO at the beginning of 2026. Howard is expected to focus primarily on protecting Berkshire’s corporate culture and values.
Buffett has been associated with Berkshire since taking control in 1965, transforming the former textile business into one of America’s largest conglomerates, with operations spanning insurance, energy, railroads, manufacturing and retail.
