Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai. Veteran investor and Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett has made his largest annual donation to date, giving away shares worth $6 billion (approximately ₹51,300 crore) to philanthropic causes. The donation includes 16 million shares of Berkshire Hathaway, distributed between the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and four family-run charities. This continues Buffett’s long-standing commitment to philanthropy.
Major shares go to Gates Foundation and children's trusts
As part of the recent donation, Buffett transferred 9.43 million shares to the Gates Foundation alone. Another 43,384 shares were given to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, named after his late wife. The remaining 1.98 million shares were split equally among the charitable foundations of his three children—Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Sherwood Foundation (headed by daughter Susie), and NoVo Foundation (run by son Peter).
Over ₹5.13 lakh crore donated since 2006
Buffett, now 94, began donating his wealth in 2006. Including this latest contribution, he has given away a staggering total of $60 billion (around ₹5.13 lakh crore) over the last two decades. Despite these large donations, he still retains a 13.8% stake in Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett has been at the helm of the company since 1965, operating from Omaha, Nebraska.
Will revised to donate 99.5% of fortune
In a previous statement, Buffett declared he has no plans to sell any of his Berkshire shares. Last year, he revised his will to allocate 99.5% of his fortune to a charitable trust that will be overseen by his three children. The siblings—Susie (71), Howard (70), and Peter (67)—will have 10 years to distribute the assets and decide how the funds should be used, ensuring the wealth serves long-term social impact.
Earlier offloaded half of Apple stake
Around a year ago, Berkshire Hathaway sold about 50% of its stake in Apple Inc. Following this sale, Buffett’s firm held a record $276.9 billion (₹23.20 lakh crore) in cash reserves. Despite the offloading, Berkshire still maintained a significant investment in Apple, estimated at $84.2 billion (₹7.05 lakh crore) by the second quarter of 2024—down from $135.4 billion (₹11.34 lakh crore) at the end of the first quarter.
7 Key Pointers:
- Warren Buffett donates $6 billion in Berkshire shares.
- Gates Foundation receives 9.43 million shares.
- His three children's charities share nearly 2 million shares.
- Total donations over 20 years cross $60 billion.
- Buffett revised his will to donate 99.5% of wealth posthumously.
- His children have 10 years to allocate the inherited charitable trust.
- Berkshire sold half its Apple stake last year, raising record cash reserves.
