Have you ever looked at a company as massive and influential as Berkshire Hathaway and wondered, "Just how much of this incredible empire does the legendary Warren Buffett actually own?" It's a question that gets to the heart of his legacy and his commitment to the company he built. The answer is more than just a simple percentage; it’s a story of extraordinary long-term vision, massive philanthropy, and a unique corporate structure.
Let's dive into the fascinating details and break down exactly how much of Berkshire Hathaway is still owned by the Oracle of Omaha.
Step 1: Understand the Two Tiers of Berkshire Hathaway Stock
Before we get to the numbers, it's crucial to grasp the dual-class share structure of Berkshire Hathaway. This isn't your typical stock. The company has two classes of stock:
Class A shares (BRK.A): These are the original, high-priced shares. They have significant voting rights and a value that has grown so large that a single share is now worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The board has historically been opposed to stock splits for these shares, a key part of Buffett's philosophy of attracting long-term, value-oriented investors.
Class B shares (BRK.B): These were created later to make the stock more accessible to smaller investors. They represent a much smaller fraction of the company's economic interest and have minimal voting rights.
So, when we talk about Buffett's ownership, we need to consider both classes, as his stake is heavily concentrated in the more powerful Class A shares.
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| How Much Of Berkshire Hathaway Does Warren Buffet Own |
Step 2: Pinpoint Warren Buffett's Direct Ownership
This is where the numbers get interesting. As of late June 2025, after a recent round of significant philanthropic donations, we can get a very clear picture of his direct holdings.
Class A shares: Warren Buffett personally owns 198,117 Class A shares. This is the core of his ownership and his voting power.
Class B shares: He also owns a small number of Class B shares, currently reported as 1,144 Class B shares.
It's important to note that Buffett has consistently stated he has not bought or sold a single Class A or Class B share since 2006, only converting Class A shares to Class B for the purpose of making his massive charitable contributions. This commitment highlights his unwavering belief in the company.
QuickTip: Don’t rush through examples.
Step 3: Calculate the Ownership Percentage and Economic Interest
Now, let's turn those share counts into a meaningful percentage. This requires a bit of math and an understanding of the total shares outstanding.
Total Class A shares outstanding: This number is dynamic, but it's generally around 600,000 shares.
Total Class B shares outstanding: This is in the millions.
While Buffett's number of Class A shares might seem small, their value and voting power are immense. He owns a staggering percentage of the Class A shares, which gives him near-complete control over the company's direction.
Based on recent reports, Buffett personally owns approximately 38.4% of the Class A voting shares. This is the key figure for his voting control. In terms of overall economic interest, which includes both share classes, his ownership represents a significant, though smaller, percentage. As of late 2024, his overall economic interest was around 15.1% of the company. However, with his recent large donations, this percentage has slightly decreased.
Let's put that in perspective: He owns a substantial chunk of a company with a market capitalization exceeding a trillion dollars. This stake alone is worth a mind-boggling amount of money.
Step 4: Understand the Impact of Philanthropic Giving
You can't discuss Warren Buffett's ownership without talking about his Giving Pledge. He has pledged to give away over 99% of his wealth to philanthropic causes, primarily through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust and foundations run by his children.
Tip: Stop when you find something useful.
The Giving Process: Buffett converts his Class A shares into Class B shares and then donates the B shares to the foundations. This process allows him to gradually transfer his wealth without disrupting the company's control structure, as the Class A shares he still holds retain their voting power.
A Long-Term Plan: This isn't a one-time event. He makes annual donations, which means his personal ownership percentage will continue to decline over time. This is a deliberate, methodical plan to ensure his fortune is used for good, while still maintaining his influence and leadership at Berkshire Hathaway.
Step 5: Appreciate the Uniqueness of His Holdings
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Warren Buffett's ownership is unique for several reasons:
No Debt: He has explicitly stated that he has no personal debts, and his remaining Class A shares are a substantial portion of his net worth.
A "Forever" Holding: Unlike many investors who buy and sell stocks, Buffett has a "forever" mindset for his Berkshire shares. He has not bought or sold a single share for personal gain in nearly two decades. His stake is a testament to his belief in the long-term value of the company and its businesses.
Influence Beyond Ownership: Even as his ownership percentage slightly declines due to donations, his influence as Chairman and CEO, and his reputation as the "Oracle of Omaha," means his words and decisions carry immense weight.
Related FAQ
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about Warren Buffett's ownership and Berkshire Hathaway:
How to find the most up-to-date information on Warren Buffett's ownership?
The most reliable sources are Berkshire Hathaway's official news releases and SEC filings, such as the annual reports and proxy statements. These documents provide the exact number of shares held by Buffett and other insiders.
How to understand the difference between Class A and Class B shares?
QuickTip: Treat each section as a mini-guide.
Class A shares are the original, expensive shares with significant voting power (1 vote per share), while Class B shares are much cheaper and have minimal voting power (1/10,000th of a Class A share). A Class A share can be converted into 1,500 Class B shares.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway stock?
You can buy Class B shares (BRK.B) through any brokerage firm. The price is much more accessible than the Class A shares. The Class A shares (BRK.A) are generally only purchased by large institutional investors or individuals with a very high net worth due to their high per-share price.
How to calculate the value of Warren Buffett's stake?
To calculate the value, simply multiply the number of Class A and Class B shares he owns by their current market price and then add the two values together.
How to interpret Buffett's statement that he has not bought or sold any shares?
This statement refers to his personal holdings. It underscores his unwavering commitment to the company. The shares he has given away are part of his long-term philanthropic plan, not a sale for personal profit.
How to know when Buffett makes donations?
Berkshire Hathaway issues news releases and files with the SEC to announce his major philanthropic donations of Berkshire Hathaway stock.
QuickTip: If you skimmed, go back for detail.
How to understand Buffett's succession plan and its impact on ownership?
Warren Buffett has already named Greg Abel as his successor for the CEO role. While Buffett will remain Chairman, the leadership transition will gradually shift responsibilities. This has no direct impact on Buffett's ownership of shares, which he will continue to give away as per his pledge.
How to explain why Berkshire Hathaway has a dual-class share structure?
The Class B shares were created to prevent "Class A" shares from splitting, which Buffett believes helps attract a certain type of long-term investor who is focused on value rather than short-term price fluctuations. It also makes the stock accessible to a wider range of investors.
How to find the total number of outstanding shares for both classes?
This information is available in Berkshire Hathaway's annual reports and quarterly filings (10-K and 10-Q) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
How to determine Warren Buffett's voting power?
His voting power is primarily derived from his substantial holding of Class A shares. Since each Class A share has 10,000 times the voting power of a Class B share, his ownership of Class A shares gives him a dominant voice in company decisions.
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