Warren Buffett will officially step down as chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway on Wednesday, closing a remarkable 60-year chapter that transformed a struggling textile company into one of the world’s most valuable investment conglomerates.
Buffett, now 95, announced earlier in May 2025 that he planned to relinquish the CEO role by year-end. His departure comes with Berkshire Hathaway shares trading near record levels and the company firmly embedded in the global financial system. Leadership will pass to Greg Abel, a long-prepared successor who has overseen Berkshire’s non-insurance operations since 2018.
Under Buffett’s stewardship, Berkshire Hathaway shares climbed from just $19 in 1965 to roughly $750,000 today, representing a gain of approximately 3,950,000%. The performance cemented Buffett’s reputation as the most influential long-term investor of the modern era and reshaped how generations of investors think about capital allocation, patience, and risk.
Six Decades of Compounding and Discipline
Buffett’s success rested on a disciplined value-investing philosophy combined with an unusually long time horizon. Rather than chasing trends, he focused on durable businesses, strong management teams, and predictable cash flows. Over decades, that approach produced a sprawling portfolio spanning insurance, railroads, energy, manufacturing, consumer brands, and major equity stakes.
Berkshire’s insurance float became the engine of its compounding machine, allowing Buffett to deploy capital at scale during market dislocations. From the financial crisis to pandemic-era volatility, Berkshire repeatedly emerged stronger, often acting as a buyer of last resort when markets were under stress.
As of December 30, 2025, Buffett’s personal net worth is estimated at $149 billion, placing him among the world’s richest individuals. Yet his public image has remained rooted in restraint. He still lives in the same Omaha home he bought decades ago, favors McDonald’s and Coca-Cola, and is known for spending roughly six hours a day reading.
What Comes Next for Berkshire Hathaway
Greg Abel inherits a company with immense scale, a fortress balance sheet, and more than $150 billion in cash and equivalents. Prepared for the role since at least 2021, Abel is widely viewed as a steady operator rather than a capital-markets celebrity, signaling continuity rather than disruption.
Investors will now closely watch how Berkshire deploys capital without Buffett’s direct hand, particularly in acquisitions and large equity investments. While Buffett will remain chairman for a transition period, the psychological shift for markets is significant.
The end of Buffett’s tenure marks more than a leadership change. It closes an era in which one individual became synonymous with disciplined investing, long-term thinking, and trust-based shareholder relationships. Berkshire Hathaway now enters its next phase carrying an extraordinary legacy and the challenge of sustaining it.
