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Warren Buffett Donates Record $6 Billion in Berkshire Shares to Charities
The legendary investor deepens his philanthropic legacy with a record-breaking $6 billion donation, bringing total lifetime giving to over $60 billion and empowering global and family-led causes.
With total lifetime giving now exceeding $60 billion, the legendary investor furthers his philanthropic legacy by supporting global health, education, and family-led initiatives.
Warren Buffett, one of the world’s most iconic investors and philanthropists, has just made his largest single annual donation to date—gifting $6 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway shares to charitable causes on Friday. This extraordinary act brings his total lifetime charitable contributions to well over $60 billion, underscoring his unwavering commitment to giving back.
Buffett’s latest donation involved 12.36 million Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway, his Omaha-based conglomerate. The largest share—9.43 million shares—was donated to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a partner in philanthropy for nearly two decades. The remainder was distributed among family-focused organizations:
- 943,384 shares to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation,
- 660,366 shares each to the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the Sherwood Foundation, and the NoVo Foundation, which are respectively led by his children Howard, Susie, and Peter.
Buffett, now 94 years old, has led Berkshire Hathaway since 1965, growing it into a $1.05 trillion powerhouse with nearly 200 businesses under its umbrella, including Geico, BNSF Railway, and significant holdings in Apple and American Express.
According to Forbes, Buffett had a net worth of $152 billion before Friday’s donation, ranking him the fifth-richest person globally. Post-donation, he now stands at sixth place—still holding about 13.8% of Berkshire’s outstanding shares. Importantly, he reiterated that he does not intend to sell any of his shares, further signaling confidence in his company’s long-term value.
Buffett began his philanthropic journey in 2006, gradually divesting his immense fortune with the goal of giving away 99.5% of his wealth. He recently updated his will, stipulating that the bulk of his remaining estate will go to a charitable trust overseen by his children, to be distributed within a decade of his passing. The catch? The siblings must reach unanimous agreement on where the money goes—a move that ensures thoughtful and collaborative stewardship.
The family foundations each reflect personal passions:
- The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, led by daughter Susie, champions reproductive health and educational access.
- The Howard G. Buffett Foundation tackles global hunger, human trafficking, and conflict mitigation.
- The Sherwood Foundation, also guided by Susie, supports Nebraska nonprofits and early childhood education.
- The NoVo Foundation, led by Peter, focuses on marginalized girls and women and indigenous communities.
Buffett previously announced that donations to the Gates Foundation would cease upon his death, marking this year’s massive gift as one of the final chapters in that partnership.
In an era where wealth accumulation often outpaces redistribution, Buffett remains a beacon of intentional, high-impact giving. His ongoing legacy isn’t just about market acumen—it’s about reshaping the future through philanthropy.
