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Warren Buffett Gives Away $6 Billion in Berkshire Shares to Gates Foundation and Four Others

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    In what’s now his largest annual donation ever, legendary investor and billionaire Warren Buffett has once again put his money where his heart is—literally.

    On Friday, the 94-year-old chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway announced that he had donated about $6 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock to five charitable foundations, as part of his ongoing pledge to give away the vast majority of his wealth.

    Buffett, who’s been steadily donating billions since 2006, made the latest contribution through the transfer of 12.36 million Class B shares in Berkshire Hathaway. This brings his total philanthropic giving to over $56 billion in just under two decades.

    Who Got the Billions?

    Out of the five foundations that received the donation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust walked away with the biggest share—9.3 million shares, valued at approximately $4 billion.

    The rest were shared among foundations linked to Buffett’s family:

    • The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation (named after his late wife)

    • The Sherwood Foundation

    • The Howard G. Buffett Foundation

    • And the NoVo Foundation

    Each of these four family-focused foundations received 1.01 million shares.

    Buffett has consistently said his children are “philanthropically inclined,” and this latest donation reflects his long-standing trust in them to make good use of the wealth.

    A Promise He Keeps Keeping

    Buffett's journey of giving isn’t new. Back in 2006, he made a bold and heartfelt promise to donate 99% of his fortune over his lifetime or at death. And nearly 20 years later, he’s still walking the talk.

    Last year alone, he donated $5.3 billion, and in November, he gave away another $1.2 billion. Add this latest $6 billion donation, and you’ve got a man who is not just talking about change—he’s funding it.

    But even with all this giving, Buffett isn’t broke. After this latest gift, he still owns about 13% of Berkshire Hathaway, and remains the company’s largest shareholder.

    The Numbers Behind the Gift

    Buffett converted Class A shares to Class B shares to make the donation smoother and more accessible for the foundations. These Class B shares closed at $398.76 each on Friday, meaning the total value of the 12.36 million shares lands just shy of $6 billion.

    While this move will definitely impact his personal net worth, Buffett’s focus has never been on topping the billionaire list. In fact, he’s dropped a few spots in the world’s richest rankings, but somehow, that feels like a badge of honour for a man who’s giving it all away on purpose.

    A Long-Term Legacy

    Buffett’s philanthropic vision isn’t just about the now—it’s also about the future. He has made it clear that, upon his death, his remaining estate will go to philanthropic causes. And guess what? He’s already written a will instructing his three children to manage the remaining wealth, ensuring it all goes to charity within 10 years of his passing.

    This long-term plan has been a defining trait of Buffett’s approach. He doesn’t believe in dynasties. Instead, he believes in giving others the opportunity to rise, thrive, and solve problems—with access to real resources.

    What About Berkshire Hathaway?

    Even with his generous giving streak, Buffett remains the guiding force behind Berkshire Hathaway. The conglomerate owns major companies like Geico, BNSF Railway, and See’s Candies, and holds significant stakes in giants like Apple.

    And while many wonder what happens next, Buffett has already named Greg Abel, the company’s vice chairman, as his successor. So yes, the succession plan is in place—and Buffett is still calling the shots while he’s here.

    Final Thoughts

    Warren Buffett’s latest $6 billion donation isn’t just another news headline—it’s a powerful reminder that wealth, when used wisely, can create lasting impact.

    In a world where billionaires are often critiqued for hoarding wealth, Buffett continues to show that you can be rich, responsible, and radically generous all at once.

    He may be 94, but his vision for a better world is aging like fine wine—and thankfully, he’s sharing the bottle with the rest of us.

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