At 91, Warren Buffett is a very happy man.
Yes, he is one of the richest people in the world with more than 100 billion dollars in net worth but that’s not why he is happy. He doesn’t spend a lot on himself, having lived in the same home in Omaha for more than 60 years. He doesn’t have a yacht or other rich toys. He is giving away more than 99% of his money to various philanthropic endeavors. He, along with Bill and Melinda Gates, started the Giving Pledge.
Buffett has something money can’t buy. He loves what he does, and he is very good at it. He has long been one of the world’s great investors, having started when he was 11. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, is his legacy. Warren Buffett is an artist and his painting is his company.
I’ve known Warren for almost 20 years. My first interview was in 2004 at his annual meeting held at the end of April in Omaha. It has been called the capitalist Woodstock. During the two years of COVID, the meeting was virtual. This year, 20,000 or more stockholders may show up to listen to Buffett and his partner, Charlie Munger, take questions for three hours in the morning and more than two hours in the afternoon. Millions will follow around the world by streaming on CNBC.
Warren Buffett has always felt a special relationship to his investors whom he calls his partners. He has made a lot of people very rich.
They invest their savings in Berkshire Hathaway and just leave it there, trusting him to make it grow. And it has.
My most recent interview, available on charlierose.com, was recorded on March 9, 2022, in New York City. I was curious about many things including the Ukraine War, Russia, China, the United States, changes in the world order, sanctions, inflation, global economics, climate, capitalism, cryptocurrency, and other subjects. As he explained in the interview, he chose not to answer because he preferred to speak first with the stockholders on April 30, in Omaha, and those watching by television and computer worldwide.
What emerges, even without the answers to all my questions, is a fascinating look at a vital, very smart man who appreciates history and America, and recognizes his values and the role he plays in 2022.
For the full interview with Warren Buffet, visit charlierose.com.