Warren Buffett, aged 96, has stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway after serving for more than 50 years, handing over the position to his son.
On 18 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Warren Buffett, the famous 96-year-old billionaire investor, announced his resignation as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway after over 50 years in the role. He will become chairman emeritus and remain on the company's board, effective immediately. His son, Howard Buffett, will succeed him as chairman, part of a planned succession. Howard has been a company director since 1993.
Warren Buffett became chairman of Berkshire Hathaway in 1970 and joined the company in 1965. Greg Abel took over as CEO at the start of 2026, replacing Buffett. In a letter to shareholders, Buffett said that after more than 60 years with Berkshire Hathaway, he still considers it the best job in the world. He expressed confidence in Abel and Howard, explaining that Abel will run the company while Howard will focus on preserving Berkshire Hathaway’s culture and values.
Originally a textile company in New England, Berkshire Hathaway was transformed by Buffett into a major investment conglomerate and a Wall Street icon. By 2024, the company’s market value surpassed $1 trillion, approximately 33 trillion baht.
Source: AFP