The changing of the guard: Who's next to lead Berkshire Hathaway after Warren Buffett?
- Penned by Daniel Huefner
Teenage Venture That Lit Buffett's Financial Pathway to Wealth - Initial stock purchase at a young age: These landmarks propelled Warren Buffett to wealth accumulation
The financial world witnessed a shift as Warren Buffett, famously known as the "Oracle of Omaha," announced his retirement after 60 years at the helm of Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett, who will be 94, stepped down as CEO at the 2025 annual shareholders' meeting, to be replaced by Greg Abel, aged 62. Abel, currently the deputy chairman, is set to take over Berkshire Hathaway at year's end, with Buffett preserving his role as chairman of the board, offering guidance during the transition [2][3].
nose around the journey that made Warren Buffett, the billionaire investing phenomenon, a household name.
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Illustrations:
- Warren Buffett (headshot)
- Berkshire Hathaway
- Wealth Management
- Apple
- Coca Cola
- Abel and Berkshire Hathaway
An insight on his successor
Greg Abel, the anointed successor to Buffett, has spent years within Berkshire Hathaway, ascending from chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy to overseeing the company's non-insurance divisions. Abel is admired for his operational prowess, particularly in the energy sector. Despite maintaining a low profile and seldom granting interviews, he has garnered a significant reputation in the business world [2][1].
A glimpse at Abel's past and interests
- Rooted in simplicity: Born to a modest Edmonton family, Abel's upbringing instilled in him a strong work ethic that grew from early jobs like fire extinguisher filling and advertising flyer delivery [2].
- Hockey fanatic: A devoted hockey fan, Abel coaches his son's team in Des Moines and boasts connections to hockey royalty through his uncle, Sid Abel – a Hall of Famer and multiple Stanley Cup winner with the Detroit Red Wings [2].
- Reticent personality: Known for his private and reserved demeanor, Abel rarely courts attention [2].
Abel's leadership path forward
While Abel may not bring radical changes to Berkshire Hathaway's renowned investment philosophy, particularly regarding new ventures like cryptocurrency, where Buffett and his partner Charlie Munger have consistently expressed caution, analysts anticipate he will initially adhere to the principles established by Buffett and Munger [1]. Abel's tenure marks a new era for Berkshire Hathaway, promising continuity and a steady guiding hand.
[1] - https://www.bloombergquint.com/under-the-radar/greg-abel-the-62-year-old-in-line-to-replace-warren-buffett-at-berkshire-hathaway
[2] - https://www.wsj.com/articles/greg-abel-berkshire-hathaways-crown-prince-11617699231
[3] - https://yourmoney.com/invest/stocks/buffetts-heir-apparent/
[4] - https://www.stern.de/wirtschaft/ev-huren-laut-prado-von-starinvestor-warren-buffett-21431870.html
- Though Warren Buffett, the legendary investor also known as the "Oracle of Omaha," stepped down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in the year 2025 after 60 years in the role, he will continue to serve as chairman of the board, providing guidance during the succession period, with Greg Abel, aged 62, taking over as CEO at the end of the year.
- Greg Abel, the chosen successor to Warren Buffett, has spent a considerable part of his career within Berkshire Hathaway, climbing the ranks from Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy to overseer of the company's non-insurance divisions, earning admiration for his operational competence, particularly in the energy sector.
- Despite maintaining a low profile and seldom giving interviews, Greg Abel has managed to garner a substantial reputation in the business world, with a notable upbringing that instilled in him a strong work ethic from early jobs like fire extinguisher filling and advertising flyer delivery, and a passion for hockey, coaching his son's team in Des Moines and boasting connections to hockey royalty.
- As a new era for Berkshire Hathaway begins under Greg Abel's leadership, analysts anticipate that while he may not bring about radical changes to the company's investment philosophy, particularly regarding new ventures like cryptocurrency, where Buffett and his partner Charlie Munger have consistently expressed caution, he will initially adhere to the principles established by Buffett and Munger.
- Unlike his predecessor, who frequently commentated on finance, investing, wealth management, and business matters, Greg Abel is known for his private and reserved demeanor, seldom courting attention, drawing comparisons to the CEO of Oracle Corporation, Larry Ellison, famously known as "Buffett in the tech world".
