Warren Buffett Steps Down as Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway
Warren Buffett is stepping down immediately as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, becoming chairman emeritus. His son, Howard Buffett, will take over the role under a long-standing succession plan. This marks another step in transitioning leadership at the $1 trillion conglomerate that Buffett has led since 1965. Buffett's tenure saw Berkshire deliver an impressive compounded annual return of 19.7%, nearly double the S&P 500’s performance, transforming it from a struggling textile mill into one of America’s most influential financial and industrial enterprises. Greg Abel remains CEO while Susan Decker serves as lead independent director. Buffett emphasized that Howard will safeguard Berkshire's culture and values, which he considers more valuable than its balance sheet assets. The change follows Buffett's earlier transition out of the role of CEO in May 2025.
