# Warren Buffett

> American investor, entrepreneur and businessman

**Wikidata**: [Q47213](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q47213)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffett)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/warren-buffett

## Summary
Warren Buffett is a renowned American investor, entrepreneur, and businessman celebrated for his exceptional investment acumen and leadership of Berkshire Hathaway. As one of the wealthiest individuals globally, he is recognized for his value investing philosophy and philanthropic efforts, notably through The Giving Pledge. His career spans over seven decades, profoundly influencing the financial industry and corporate governance.

## Biography
- **Born**: August 30, 1930
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**: 
  - University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  - Columbia Business School
  - The Wharton School
  - Jackson-Reed High School
  - University of Pennsylvania
- **Known for**: Value investing, leadership of Berkshire Hathaway, and philanthropy
- **Employer(s)**: Berkshire Hathaway
- **Field(s)**: Finance, Investment, Conglomerate Management

## Contributions
- **Berkshire Hathaway Leadership**: Buffett transformed Berkshire Hathaway into a multinational conglomerate with a market capitalization exceeding $600 billion as of 2023, overseeing iconic subsidiaries like GEICO and BNSF Railway.
- **Investment Philosophy**: Popularized value investing through his annual letters to shareholders, emphasizing long-term growth and intrinsic value.
- **The Giving Pledge**: Co-founded the initiative in 2010, committing to donate the majority of his wealth to philanthropy, with over $50 billion pledged as of 2023.
- **Buffett Rule**: Advocated for tax reform, proposing higher taxes for the ultra-wealthy, influencing public discourse on economic inequality.

## FAQs
**What is Warren Buffett's most notable achievement?**  
Buffett's transformation of Berkshire Hathaway into a global conglomerate and his status as a leading proponent of value investing are his defining accomplishments.

**Where was Warren Buffett educated?**  
He attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Columbia Business School, The Wharton School, Jackson-Reed High School, and the University of Pennsylvania.

**What is the Buffett Rule?**  
Proposed in 2011, the Buffett Rule advocates for a minimum tax rate of 30% for high-income individuals, reflecting his stance on tax fairness.

**What philanthropic efforts is Buffett known for?**  
Buffett co-founded The Giving Pledge, committing to donate over 50% of his wealth, with significant contributions to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

## Why They Matter
Warren Buffett's impact on finance and philanthropy is unparalleled. His investment strategies have shaped global markets, while his leadership at Berkshire Hathaway redefined conglomerate management. As a philanthropist, he has influenced charitable giving at scale, inspiring billionaires worldwide to commit to The Giving Pledge. His advocacy for tax reform and corporate governance has also driven public policy discussions, leaving a legacy that extends beyond finance into social responsibility.

## Notable For
- **Oracle of Omaha**: Nicknamed for his investment wisdom and hometown.
- **Berkshire Hathaway CEO**: Led the company since 1970, achieving remarkable growth.
- **Philanthropic Leadership**: Co-founder of The Giving Pledge, pledging over $50 billion.
- **Presidential Medal of Freedom**: Recipient of the U.S.'s highest civilian honor in 2011.
- **Longevity in Finance**: Active in investing for over 70 years, maintaining a net worth exceeding $100 billion.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Warren Edward Buffett was born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska. His early education included Jackson-Reed High School in Washington, D.C. Buffett pursued higher education at the University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School, and Columbia Business School, where he studied under Benjamin Graham, a mentor who significantly influenced his investment philosophy.

### Career and Berkshire Hathaway
Buffett's career began in 1951, focusing on value investing. He took control of Berkshire Hathaway in the 1970s, expanding it into a multinational conglomerate with subsidiaries in insurance, retail, and rail transport. Under his leadership, Berkshire Hathaway's market value grew from $19 per share in 1965 to over $600 billion by 2023.

### Investment Philosophy
Buffett's approach emphasizes long-term investment in companies with strong fundamentals. His annual letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders are seminal texts in finance, articulating principles like "price is what you pay; value is what you get." This philosophy has been adopted by investors globally, shaping market practices.

### Philanthropy and The Giving Pledge
In 2010, Buffett co-founded The Giving Pledge with Bill and Melinda Gates, encouraging billionaires to donate the majority of their wealth. By 2023, he had pledged over $50 billion, primarily to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on global health and education initiatives.

### Public Advocacy and Influence
Buffett has been an outspoken advocate for tax reform, notably proposing the "Buffett Rule" in 2011, which calls for a minimum 30% tax rate on high-income individuals. His views on corporate governance and executive compensation have also influenced policy debates, promoting transparency and accountability.

### Awards and Recognition
Buffett received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, recognizing his contributions to finance and philanthropy. His nickname, "The Oracle of Omaha," reflects his reputation for astute investment decisions and folksy wisdom.

### Legacy and Impact
Warren Buffett's legacy is multifaceted: he revolutionized investment strategies, redefined corporate leadership, and reimagined philanthropy at scale. His influence extends to generations of investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, ensuring his principles remain central to global finance and philanthropy. Without Buffett, the landscape of value investing, conglomerate management, and billionaire philanthropy would be markedly different, underscoring his indispensable role in shaping modern economic and social systems.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Genealogics
3. BnF authorities
4. [Source](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/campaign/medal-of-freedom)
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. CiNii Research
8. SNAC
9. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
10. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
11. GeneaStar
12. Roglo
13. Munzinger Personen
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. CONOR.SI
16. [Source](https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1056397.pdf)
17. BBC Things
18. [Source](https://www.forbes.com/profile/warren-buffett/?sh=41409dba4639)
19. [The World's Billionaires. 2019](https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/list/;5/#version:static)
20. [Source](https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/warren-e-buffett/)
21. [Source](https://giving.northwestern.edu/s/1479/282-giving/21/interior.aspx?sid=1479&gid=282&pgid=11829&cid=19922&ecid=19922&crid=0&calpgid=7226&calcid=12795)
22. Quora
23. The Movie Database
24. LIBRIS. 2015
25. FactGrid