Have you ever wondered just how much of Berkshire Hathaway, the massive conglomerate, is controlled by the legendary investor himself, Warren Buffett? It's a question that goes to the very heart of the company's identity and its future. Understanding his ownership stake is key to grasping the unique structure of Berkshire Hathaway and the enduring influence of the "Oracle of Omaha."
Let's dive deep into the numbers and the story behind them.
Step 1: Get Acquainted with Berkshire Hathaway's Two Classes of Shares
Before we get to the numbers, let's understand the two types of shares you can buy in Berkshire Hathaway. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation!
Class A Shares (BRK.A): These are the original, incredibly expensive shares. As of June 2025, a single share is worth well over $700,000. They have significant voting power, with each Class A share getting one vote. These are the shares that give the holder a real say in the company's direction.
Class B Shares (BRK.B): These were created in 1996 to make Berkshire Hathaway stock more accessible to smaller investors. They trade at a much lower price (hundreds of dollars per share) and have fractional voting power—specifically, one-ten-thousandth (1/10,000) of a vote per share.
Why is this important? Because Warren Buffett's ownership is primarily concentrated in the Class A shares, which is what gives him his immense control.
Step 2: Uncover Warren Buffett's Class A Share Ownership
This is the big one. This is where Buffett's influence is most visible.
As of the most recent data from March 5, 2025, Warren Buffett owned 206,359 Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares.
To put that into perspective, this represents a staggering 37.9% of the total outstanding Class A shares. This level of ownership is unparalleled among public company CEOs and is the foundation of his ironclad control over Berkshire.
He has been very clear that he does not intend to sell any of his Class A or Class B shares. In fact, he stated at the company's annual shareholder meeting, "I have no intention -- zero -- of selling one share of Berkshire Hathaway."
Step 3: Analyze His Minimal Class B Share Ownership
While his Class A holdings are monumental, his Class B holdings are surprisingly small.
As of the same March 5, 2025, date, Buffett owned only 951 Class B shares.
This is a testament to the purpose of the Class B shares: they were created for the public, not for insiders like Buffett who already hold massive stakes and a controlling interest through their Class A shares. His focus has always been on maintaining his voting power and economic interest through the Class A shares, which he then converts to Class B shares only for his charitable donations.
Step 4: Calculate His Total Ownership Stake and Voting Power
Now, let’s combine the two classes of shares to get the full picture.
While the exact total number of shares he owns can be a bit more complex due to conversions for donations, his ownership is most accurately measured by his percentage of the company's voting power.
Total Voting Power: Despite his massive stake, Buffett has a voting agreement with Berkshire that limits his voting power to 49.9% of the total voting power. This is a fascinating and important detail. Even with his significant ownership, he ensures that his control, while decisive, is not absolute. He still has a 30.4% voting power over the company's Class A and Class B shares combined.
Economic Interest: His overall economic interest in the company, taking into account both share classes, is approximately 13.8% of Berkshire's total stock, as of a recent donation. This number can fluctuate slightly with his charitable giving.
It is crucial to note that Buffett has consistently and generously donated his Class B shares to various charitable foundations, most notably the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust. Just recently, in June 2025, he donated approximately 12.36 million Class B shares, boosting his total lifetime giving to well over $60 billion. This charitable activity reduces his total share count, but he has maintained his Class A holdings, preserving his control.
Step 5: Understand the Implications of His Ownership
So, why does all this matter?
Unwavering Control: Buffett's massive Class A shareholding gives him an unprecedented level of control over Berkshire Hathaway. He can effectively steer the company's direction, make key decisions, and ensure his long-term vision is carried out.
Succession Planning: The company has a clear succession plan in place, with Greg Abel set to take over as CEO. However, Buffett plans to remain Chairman and, through his shares, his influence will continue to be felt. His will also provides that his remaining fortune, almost entirely in Berkshire shares, will be used for philanthropic purposes, with his children overseeing a charitable trust.
A "Forever" Holding: For Buffett, his Berkshire Hathaway shares are not just an investment; they are his legacy. He has not sold a single Class A or Class B share he has purchased, and his recent statements confirm his commitment to keeping his stake. This dedication signals confidence in the company's future and its enduring value.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to find out Warren Buffett's current net worth?
Warren Buffett's net worth is almost entirely tied to the value of his Berkshire Hathaway shares. You can find his estimated net worth on financial news sites like Forbes and Bloomberg, which update their figures based on the real-time share price of BRK.A and BRK.B.
How to buy a Berkshire Hathaway Class A share?
Due to its high price, buying a full Class A share requires a significant amount of capital. You would need a brokerage account that allows you to purchase individual stocks, and then you would simply place an order for the ticker symbol BRK.A.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway with less money?
The most common way to invest in Berkshire Hathaway without buying a Class A share is to purchase Class B shares (BRK.B). They trade at a much lower price, making them accessible to a wider range of investors.
How to calculate Warren Buffett's total ownership percentage?
To get a precise total ownership percentage, you would need to combine his Class A shares and Class B shares, convert the Class A shares into their Class B equivalent (1 Class A = 1,500 Class B), and then divide that total by the total outstanding Class B shares. However, his voting power is a more significant measure of his control.
How to convert Class A shares to Class B shares?
Class A shares can be converted into Class B shares at any time, but not the other way around. The conversion ratio is fixed: 1 Class A share can be converted into 1,500 Class B shares. This process is typically handled through a brokerage firm.
How to understand the difference between Class A and Class B voting rights?
The core difference is the voting power. A single Class A share carries 1 vote, while a Class B share carries 1/10,000 of a vote. This structure ensures that holders of Class A shares, like Warren Buffett, maintain control over the company.
How to track Berkshire Hathaway's share price?
You can track the share price of both BRK.A and BRK.B on any major financial news website or stock market platform by searching for their ticker symbols.
How to find the total outstanding shares of Berkshire Hathaway?
You can find the total number of outstanding shares for both Class A and Class B in the company's regulatory filings, such as their 10-K and 10-Q reports, which are available on the SEC's EDGAR database or the company's investor relations website.
How to understand Warren Buffett's charitable donations of Berkshire shares?
Warren Buffett has pledged to give away almost his entire fortune to philanthropy. He does this by converting some of his Class A shares into the more easily divisible Class B shares and then donating them to various foundations, primarily the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
How to learn more about Berkshire Hathaway's businesses?
Berkshire Hathaway is a conglomerate that owns a wide range of businesses, from insurance (GEICO) and railroads (BNSF) to consumer products (Dairy Queen). You can find a comprehensive list of its subsidiaries and equity investments in the company's annual reports and quarterly filings.