Warren Buffett, the 94-year-old chairman and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway, has seen his fortune swell by $23.7 billion in 2025, boosting his net worth to $166 billion, according to Bloomberg Billionaire Index data.
The remarkable 16.7% year-to-date increase comes amid strong performance of Berkshire Hathaway shares, with the company’s Class B stock appreciating by 18.44% this year to close at $534.29 as of April 27. Buffett, who famously ties almost 99.5% of his wealth to Berkshire, continues to benefit immensely from the company’s growth despite a minor 0.2% loss on the most recent trading day.
Berkshire Hathaway’s wide-ranging portfolio—including stakes in Geico, Dairy Queen, Coca-Cola, and American Express—has historically delivered compounded annual returns of 19.8% since 1965, reinforcing Buffett’s status as one of the most successful investors in history. His disciplined approach of acquiring high-quality businesses with strong fundamentals and visionary management has enabled his fortune to grow steadily, even through market volatility and inflationary pressures.
Despite broader market challenges caused by U.S. tariff-induced volatility, Buffett’s holdings have demonstrated resilience. His long-term strategy of buying and holding strong businesses continues to pay dividends, distinguishing him in a turbulent economic landscape.
Buffett’s rise to financial greatness remains rooted in his humble beginnings, having started selling chewing gum door-to-door at the age of six. Over the decades, he has navigated through economic downturns and recessions, maintaining a disciplined investment philosophy that emphasizes patience, value, and efficiency.
Notably, Buffett has historically kept only a tiny portion of his wealth outside Berkshire, with earlier records, including a 2011 letter to a U.S. Congressman, showing non-Berkshire assets worth between $500 million and $900 million. His few outside investments, such as holdings in Wells Fargo and U.S. Bancorp, have long represented less than 1% of his total wealth.
As he approaches his centenary, Warren Buffett’s enduring success continues to offer valuable lessons on resilience, disciplined investing, and the enduring value of owning quality businesses for the long haul.
