When compiling a list of the world's most famous investors, it's not just a guarantee that Warren Buffett's name will appear -- it's a near-certainty. He is one of the most acclaimed value investors of all time and will be one of the most recognizable. For those, both novices and veterans alike, interested in gaining insights into the world of investing, familiarizing themselves with Warren Buffett is essential.
In addition to being one of history's most successful investors, Buffett is also one of the most experienced. Buying his first stock when he was just 11 years old, Buffett remained at the helm of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A -0.05%)(BRK.B -0.24%) until he was 95.
The accolades that Buffett receives for his incredible investing prowess make him a worthy study for investors. And learning more about his career, successes, and other endeavors is also a worthwhile exercise.
Primary role
Primary role
As of September 2025, Warren Buffett was the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett's leadership of Berkshire Hathaway stretches back to the 1960s, when he began amassing stock in what was then a textile company. In 1965, Buffett gained control of the company, and five years later, he became chairman and CEO.
After 55 years of leading Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett announced in May 2025 that Greg Abel, who led the non-insurance business within Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio, would officially replace Buffett as CEO on Jan. 1, 2026.
Investment style
Investment strategy
It's clear that much of Buffett's approach to investing can be traced back to his time at Columbia University, where he studied with legendary economist and investor Benjamin Graham, who is sometimes referred to as the "Father of Value Investing." But Buffett transcends any simple characterization of him as a value investor.
One overarching theme of Buffett's strategy is the emphasis on time. Of the many sayings attributed to Buffett, one of his most famous is, "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."
Buffett recognizes the value of doing your due diligence and then investing with a lengthy time horizon -- a marathon, not a race. Similarly, Buffett is emphatic about the power of compound interest and reinvesting dividends, something that requires time and patience yet yields powerful results.
In the same vein, Buffett knows that stock market crashes are part and parcel of investing. Instead of fearing them, Buffett recognizes that they can present great opportunities to scoop up quality stocks at deep discounts.
Buffett is enthusiastic about finding value opportunities. However, he's equally attentive to identifying high-quality companies as investments.
His adage, "It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price," is well-known among investors. There are a variety of ways in which Buffett identifies high-quality companies, ranging from their competitive advantages to their ability to generate strong returns on equity without relying heavily on debt.
The key to investing is not assessing how much an industry is going to affect society, or how much it will grow, but rather determining the competitive advantage of any given company and, above all, the durability of that advantage.Warren Buffett
Career highlights
Career highlights
For multidecade owners of Berkshire Hathaway stock, the returns have been extraordinary. From 1965, when Buffett took the reins at Berkshire Hathaway, through 2024, the company produced a compounded annual gain of 19.9% -- almost twice the 10.4% results of the S&P 500 during the same period.
And if that track record isn't impressive enough, consider that Berkshire Hathaway produced an overall gain of 5,502,284% from 1965 through 2024.
Philosophy & legacy
Philosophy & legacy
In examining the investing career of Warren Buffett, it's clear that he has faith in the resiliency of the market. His conviction in the market's long-term success is perhaps best illustrated by one of his more famous quips: "Be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy only when others are fearful."
It's hard to overstate the impact that Buffett has had on generations of investors. While he hasn't authored any books, the annual letters that he penned to shareholders and included in Berkshire Hathaway's annual reports are the stuff of legends, a wellspring of wisdom that includes Buffett's investing acumen.
Awards & honors
Awards, honors, & recognition
Buffett has received numerous awards. In 2011, President Obama awarded Buffett the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award the U.S. government grants to a civilian, for his generosity and compassion.
Buffett has also received distinction from peers. As the 1900s drew to a close, financial services firm The Carson Group surveyed a wide breadth of financial professors in 1999. When the results came in, Warren Buffett earned the top spot on The Top Money Managers of the 20th Century list.
And it's not only industry professionals who recognize Buffett's impact on society. In 2007, Time magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People of the year.
Related investing topics
Personal notes
Personal notes
Buffett's disdain for living a life of excess is well-known. He drives an unassuming car and still lives in the same house in Omaha, Nebraska, that he bought for $31,500 in 1958.
Buffett is committed to helping others through his philanthropy. In 2010, Buffett co-founded the Giving Pledge with his longtime friend Bill Gates and his then-wife, Melinda French Gates. The community members -- wealthy philanthropists located around the globe -- who have signed on to the Giving Pledge promise to give away the majority of their wealth over the course of their lifetimes.
In taking the pledge, Buffett stated, "More than 99% of my wealth will go to philanthropy during my lifetime or at death. Measured by dollars, this commitment is large. In a comparative sense, though, many individuals give more to others every day."
