How Much Warren Buffett Owns Berkshire Hathaway: A Deep Dive into the Oracle's Stake
Are you curious about the man who built one of the world's most successful conglomerates, Berkshire Hathaway? Do you wonder just how much of the company he still controls? If you've ever wanted to know the nitty-gritty details of Warren Buffett's legendary ownership stake, you've come to the right place. This guide will walk you through the specifics of his holdings, the different share classes, and the immense influence he wields.
Step 1: Let's Start with the Basics - Why Does It Matter?
Before we get into the numbers, let's understand why this is so important. When you invest in a company, you are essentially buying a piece of its future. In the case of Berkshire Hathaway, a company often compared to a "living museum of capitalism," knowing the founder's stake is crucial. Warren Buffett's ownership isn't just a number; it's a testament to his unwavering confidence in the company he has built over nearly six decades. He has famously said he has no intention of selling a single share, aligning his interests directly with those of every other shareholder. It's a key reason why investors trust Berkshire Hathaway and its long-term vision.
So, let's peel back the layers and uncover the fascinating details of his ownership.
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| How Much Warren Buffett Owns Berkshire Hathaway |
Step 2: Understanding the Two Classes of Berkshire Hathaway Shares
To grasp Buffett's ownership, you first need to understand that Berkshire Hathaway has two classes of stock: Class A (BRK.A) and Class B (BRK.B). This is a fundamental distinction that impacts everything from share price to voting power.
Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A): The Original Stock. This is the original, high-priced stock. A single share of Class A is notoriously expensive, often trading for hundreds of thousands of dollars. The price is intentionally kept high by Buffett to attract long-term, value-oriented investors and discourage short-term speculation. It's also known for its superior voting rights. Each Class A share has 10,000 times the voting power of a Class B share.
Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B): The "Baby Berkshire" Stock. In 1996, to make the company's stock more accessible to smaller investors and to fend off the creation of unit trusts that would have diluted the company's reputation, Berkshire introduced the Class B shares. These are priced much lower, making them affordable for the average investor. While they have a small fraction of the voting rights and economic value of the Class A shares, they still represent a piece of the same incredible company.
This two-tiered structure is a key part of Buffett's philosophy, ensuring that he and other long-term holders of Class A shares maintain control, while still allowing wider public participation.
Step 3: Quantifying Warren Buffett's Personal Ownership Stake
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Now, for the numbers you've been waiting for. It's important to note that Buffett's holdings fluctuate slightly due to his ongoing charitable donations. However, we can look at the latest available data to get a very clear picture.
Sub-heading: The Class A Shares: The Heart of His Control
As of late June 2025, after a recent round of significant charitable donations, Warren Buffett's ownership of Berkshire Hathaway is primarily concentrated in the Class A shares. These shares are the source of his massive wealth and his unparalleled voting power.
According to recent news and filings, Buffett owns approximately 198,117 Class A shares.
This represents a stunning ownership stake. While the number of shares might seem relatively low, remember the price and voting power of each one. As of late June 2025, these shares are worth an astronomical amount, making up well over 99% of his net worth.
This personal holding gives him an eye-popping 38.4% of the Class A voting shares, and a very significant overall economic interest of around 15.1% in the company.
Sub-heading: The Class B Shares: A Minor Holding
While Buffett has converted some of his Class A shares into Class B shares for philanthropic purposes, his direct personal holding of Class B shares is minimal. As of his recent donation announcement, he owns only around 1,144 Class B shares.
This is a tiny fraction of his overall stake and has a negligible impact on his control.
The conversion and donation of Class A to Class B shares is a strategic move to facilitate large-scale charitable giving without affecting the market for the scarce Class A shares.
Step 4: The Power of Voting Rights: Why His Stake is so Dominant
While his economic interest is substantial, his voting power is even more profound. This is where the Class A shares truly shine.
With his approximately 198,117 Class A shares, Buffett holds a staggering amount of voting control.
Each Class A share holds 10,000 times the voting power of a Class B share.
This means his ownership translates to a voting power of over 30% of all outstanding shares (both Class A and B combined).
This level of control makes it practically impossible for any major decision to be passed without his approval. This is why you will never see a hostile takeover of Berkshire Hathaway as long as Buffett holds his shares. His stake is the bedrock of the company's stable and long-term governance.
Step 5: The Oracle's Philanthropic Legacy
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It's impossible to discuss Buffett's ownership without mentioning his monumental pledge to give away his wealth. His ownership is not static; it's a moving testament to his commitment to philanthropy.
Since 2006, he has been making annual donations of Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares to various foundations, most notably the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust and foundations run by his children.
As of his latest donation in June 2025, he has given away over $60 billion in Berkshire Hathaway shares over his lifetime.
This is a key reason why his ownership percentage has slightly decreased over time, even though he has not sold any shares. He converts Class A to Class B and then donates them.
10 Related FAQ Subheadings (How to...)
How to Calculate the Value of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Stake?
To calculate the value, you can multiply the number of Class A shares he owns (approximately 198,117) by the current market price of a Class A share (BRK.A). For example, if a share is $780,000, his stake would be worth $198,117 * $780,000, which is over $154 billion.
How to Buy Berkshire Hathaway Stock?
You can buy Berkshire Hathaway stock through a brokerage account. While the Class A shares are prohibitively expensive for most, you can easily purchase the more affordable Class B shares (BRK.B) through any standard brokerage platform.
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How to Find the Latest Information on Buffett's Ownership?
For the most up-to-date information, you can check Berkshire Hathaway's official news releases on their investor relations website, as well as filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Major financial news outlets also report on his donation announcements.
How to Understand the Difference in Voting Power Between Class A and Class B Shares?
Each Class A share (BRK.A) has 10,000 times the voting rights of a Class B share (BRK.B). This means owning one Class A share gives you the same voting power as owning 10,000 Class B shares.
How to Know Who the Other Major Shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway Are?
Besides Warren Buffett, major institutional investors like Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street Corporation hold substantial positions in the more widely traded Class B shares. These are often disclosed in public filings.
How to Invest Like Warren Buffett?
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Investing like Buffett involves a few key principles: long-term holding, investing in what you understand, and buying shares of great companies at a fair price. You can apply these principles to your own portfolio and even consider investing in a low-cost S&P 500 index fund, which Buffett has recommended for most investors.
How to Attend the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholder Meeting?
To attend the famous "Woodstock for Capitalists," you must own at least one share of Berkshire Hathaway stock (either Class A or Class B). Shareholder credentials are required for entry to the event in Omaha, Nebraska.
How to Understand Berkshire Hathaway's Business Model?
Berkshire Hathaway is a conglomerate that owns a diverse portfolio of wholly-owned businesses, such as Geico and BNSF Railway, and holds significant equity stakes in publicly traded companies like Apple and Coca-Cola. The cash flow from these businesses is then used for new acquisitions and investments.
How to Find a List of Berkshire Hathaway's Portfolio Companies?
You can find a list of Berkshire Hathaway's publicly traded stock holdings in their quarterly 13F filings with the SEC. These filings provide a snapshot of their equity portfolio.
How to Learn More About Warren Buffett's Life and Philosophy?
You can read his annual letters to shareholders, which are a treasure trove of wisdom and humor. There are also many excellent biographies, such as "The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life" by Alice Schroeder.
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