Investor Warren Buffett has maintained his Thanksgiving tradition of philanthropy by announcing plans on Monday to donate over $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four family foundations.
Additionally, he has outlined the future management of his wealth after his death.
Previously, Buffett stated that his three children would manage the distribution of his remaining $147.4 billion estate within 10 years after his death. Now, he has named successors for his children, ensuring the continuity of his philanthropic mission even if his children predecease him. Although he did not disclose the names of these successors, he assured that his children know and approve of them.
In a letter to shareholders, the 94-year-old Buffett reflected on mortality: “Father time always wins. But he can be fickle – indeed unfair and even cruel – sometimes ending life at birth or soon thereafter while, at other times, waiting a century or so before paying a visit.
“To date, I’ve been very lucky, but, before long, he will get around to me. There is, however, a downside to my good fortune in avoiding his notice. The expected life span of my children has materially diminished since the 2006 pledge. They are now 71, 69 and 66.”
Buffett reiterated his disinterest in creating dynastic wealth, a stance shared by his first and current wives. While he has provided millions to his children, Howard, Peter, and Susie, he has consistently advocated that wealthy parents should leave their children enough to do anything but not so much that they can do nothing.
Buffett’s extraordinary wealth accumulation can be attributed to the power of compounding interest and the growth of Berkshire Hathaway through acquisitions and strategic investments, such as the purchase of Apple shares.
Buffett noted, “As a family, we have had everything we needed or simply liked, but we have not sought enjoyment from the fact that others craved what we had.”
Had Buffett and his first wife not donated any Berkshire shares, their fortune would now be worth nearly $364 billion, making him the world’s richest person. However, Buffett expressed no regret over his charitable contributions. The family’s significant giving began with the distribution of Susan Buffett’s $3 billion estate after she died in 2004 and escalated with Buffett’s 2006 pledge to make annual gifts to family foundations and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
To date, Buffett has directed $55 billion to the Gates Foundation, leveraging Bill Gates’ existing infrastructure to manage large donations. However, Buffett believes his children are now prepared to handle his philanthropic legacy and plans to cease donations to the Gates Foundation after his death. Alongside his annual summer gifts, Buffett has given additional shares to his family foundations every Thanksgiving for several years.
Buffett also advised parents to discuss their wills with their families while alive, as he has done, to explain their decisions and avoid posthumous disputes. He noted that many families experience conflict due to unclear or surprising will provisions. Currently, Buffett remains Berkshire Hathaway’s chairman and CEO with no retirement plans. Most daily operations are managed by others, allowing Buffett to focus on investment decisions. Greg Abel, who oversees non-insurance companies, is designated to succeed Buffett as CEO.
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