Warren Buffett
Bought his first stock at 11; funded his 1956 partnership with family-and-friends money.
Warren Buffett was born in 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska, US. Warren Buffett's background is described as White American. Growing up, the family was affluent — stockbroker father who later served four terms in the US Congress. Bought his first stock at 11; funded his 1956 partnership with family-and-friends money.
- Born
- 1930 · Omaha, Nebraska, US
- Roots
- White American
- Family
- Affluent
- Stockbroker father who later served four terms in the US Congress.
- Education
- University of Nebraska → Columbia Business School (under Benjamin Graham)
- Started with
- $105K raised
- The 1956 partnership was funded by family and friends; he put in $100 of his own.
- Affiliations & societies
- The Giving PledgeDocumented
- Co-founded the campaign with Bill and Melinda Gates in 2010.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1941 · age 11First stock purchase$114
Three shares of Cities Service preferred.
- 1945 · age 14Paper routes and pinball
Files his first tax return; installs pinball machines in barbershops with a partner.
- 1950 · age 20Rejected by Harvard Business School
Enrolls at Columbia instead to study under Benjamin Graham.
- 1956 · age 25Buffett Partnership$105K
Starts the fund in Omaha with money from family and friends.
- 1965 · age 34Takes control of Berkshire Hathaway
Then a declining textile mill; becomes his holding company.
- 2006 · age 75Pledges most of his fortune
The bulk committed to the Gates Foundation over time.
- 2008 · age 77Ranked world's richest person
Per Forbes.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Warren Buffett from?
Warren Buffett was born in 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska, US. Their background is described as White American.
When was Warren Buffett born?
Warren Buffett was born in 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, US.
What is Warren Buffett's background or ethnicity?
Warren Buffett's roots are described as White American. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Warren Buffett go to school?
Warren Buffett's education: University of Nebraska → Columbia Business School (under Benjamin Graham).
What was Warren Buffett's family background growing up?
At birth the family was affluent. Stockbroker father who later served four terms in the US Congress.
How did Warren Buffett get started?
Warren Buffett started with $105K raised. The 1956 partnership was funded by family and friends; he put in $100 of his own.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.