Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman, son Howard succeeds him
After six decades leading the conglomerate, the 96-year-old Buffett becomes chairman emeritus while Howard Buffett takes the board chair and Greg Abel remains CEO.
What to know
- Warren Buffett, 96, ends a 56-year run as Berkshire Hathaway chairman, effective immediately, becoming chairman emeritus while remaining on the board.
- His son Howard Buffett, a Berkshire director since 1993, becomes chairman under a succession plan reported to date back over a decade; Greg Abel continues as CEO.
- The move affects governance of the roughly $1 trillion conglomerate but not its day-to-day operations, which analysts and commentators say were already handed to Abel.
- Online discussion is split between those who see the transition as a well-prepared, process-driven handover and those questioning the wisdom and optics of a family succession, given Howard's own age of 71.
The dispute Whether Berkshire's decades of outperformance are due to Buffett's personal skill (making the leadership change risky) or to a durable, process-driven structure (making it a non-event), a debate commenters frame through comparisons to Steve Jobs and Apple. · positions read across 106 posts and comments
Berkshire's success comes from durable process and discipline, not Buffett's personal mystique, so the transition changes little.
-
“Berkshire’s edge is discipline, not mystique. It runs on process, not pixie dust. Abel is the person who was deemed most qualified to carry that forward.”
milkplantation · Reddit ↗
Handing the chairmanship to a 71-year-old son raises fair doubts about nepotism and the next succession.
-
“But given Berkshire's scale, and the son's age (71), questions about the next succession plan seem appropriate.”
bell-cot · Hacker News ↗
A singular visionary leader can matter enormously, and Berkshire risks fading the way some companies did after losing founder-CEOs.
-
“Steve Jobs died, and no they didn’t the first time when he was forced out and fired, they almost went bankrupt. I’d argue Jobs is the prime example of the importance of an individual.”
acadia11x · Reddit ↗
Warren Buffett Outgoing Berkshire Hathaway chairman
Howard Buffett New Berkshire Hathaway chairman
Greg Abel Berkshire Hathaway CEO
Tim Cook Apple CEO
How it unfolded 8 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesvideospostscomments
-
8
Coverage confirms Howard Buffett formally elected chairman
Follow-up reporting from Morningstar and Yahoo Finance Australia confirmed Howard Buffett's formal election as chairman and revisited an old jab about Buffett's succession plans as the transition became final.
-
J
Wall St futures steady with focus on Mideast talks, US-China summit - #stocks www.reuters.com/world/china/... Wall St futures steady with fo...
2 more of the top 3 · 4 posts in this stretch
-
Might be after a crash where they use their hoard of cash to buy everything on the cheap. Then they rip.
-
The real test now is probably how much of that culture and long-term approach can continue without him.
-
-
7
Le Monde frames handover as transfer of $1 trillion empire
Le Monde described the move as Buffett passing his $1 trillion financial empire to his son, emphasizing the scale of the conglomerate built over 60 years.
-
first by Le Monde EN, 3d ago
-
I think the fact that Buffet was going to step-down as Chairman is already priced in, the big decision was when he stepped down as CEO and handed that over to Abel. In some ways, this might be a good thing as after Abel was in as CEO Berkshire starting buying Google and everybody thought this was Abel taking over and making these big moves, but it…
2 more of the top 3 · 3 posts in this stretch
-
Okay, I don't really know how this is relevant to BRK or their Google holding? Not sure what you're trying to articulate.
-
And that strategy has gotten them little Over the past 3 years Berk trails S&P by 40%
-
-
6
PBS NewsHour recaps the transition on air
PBS NewsHour broadcast a segment summarizing Buffett's exit after more than 60 years, quoting his shareholder letter and confirming Howard's new role as chairman.
“Father time always wins. He has, however, given me the opportunity to see Berkshire reach a point where I am more confident than ever about what lies ahead.”
— Warren Buffett -
When the market tanks, Buffett has historically bought. The new team will as well. Berkshire has a massive pile of “cash.” They’ll use it. When the market recovers (it always has), Berkshire will make massive gains. Prob 2-3x that if the market.
2 more of the top 3 · 12 posts in this stretch
-
Yea so is META. SNDK might be moved to my investment account soon. I’ve got a 5.7M capital gain. Anyone with half a brain can make millions fast in this market, as I’m sure you know.
-
lol. so you've never seen one of your shares go up over 25%? Man if I followed your logic I would have lost out on some shares rising over 1,000% hahahahahahaha.
-
-
5
Bloomberg details Howard's mandate to protect Berkshire's culture
Bloomberg reported that Howard Buffett, a Berkshire director since 1993, is tasked with safeguarding the company's culture and values as the conglomerate completes its long-planned leadership transition.
“Berkshire’s edge is discipline, not mystique. It runs on process, not pixie dust.”
— milkplantation, Reddit commenter · source -
first by Bloomberg Markets, 4d ago
-
What? I can't tell if you're a bot or just started investing. With the tariff dump from 14th of February 2025 to the 2nd of May 2025 VOO dropped -7% and BRK went up +12.5% over the same period for a difference of +19.5% versus the wider market . During the calendar year of 2022 VOO dropped -18.1% and BRK went up +4% for a difference of +22% versus…
2 more of the top 3 · 18 posts in this stretch
-
J
Buffett stepped down Friday as Berkshire chairman, the post he'd held since 1970, a year after handing Greg Abel the CEO job. Howard Buffett takes over as chairman while Warren stays on the board as emeritus chairman.
-
Rich people tend to say they will give their money away but in fact retain control of it.
-
-
4
Commenters debate succession plan and nepotism concerns
On Hacker News and Reddit, users argued over whether handing the chairmanship to a family member is sound governance or nepotism, citing Buffett's own past comments against inherited leadership and Howard's age of 71.
“Today, as Warren steps down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, I am thinking about his lasting impact. Warren believed in Apple before anyone else, and we will never forget it. Thank you Warren and congratulations to Howard, who will be a wonderful chairman.”
— Tim Cook, Apple CEO · source -
Today, as Warren steps down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, I am thinking about his lasting impact. Warren believed in Apple before anyone else, and we will never forget it. Thank you Warren and congratulations to Howard, who will be a wonderful chairman.
2 more of the top 3 · 16 posts in this stretch
-
G
🔴 BREAKING Warren Buffett Steps Down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett has stepped down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway after six decades, marking the end of an era for the global conglomerate he transformed from a struggling textile mill. He cited 'Father Time always wins' as the reason for his departure. 📰 https://www…
-
If you know how to ask Chatgpt it tells you that BRKB did quite well when markets were down. Also keep in mind they now have a massive allocation in treasuries which will be less down when everything is down this time around. And given their treasury position is very short dated they don't have long duration exposure. Most importantly - for the…
-
-
3
Business figures and public react to the handover
Executives and commentators, including Apple's Tim Cook, publicly reacted to Buffett's departure, while online discussion debated whether Berkshire needs its founder to keep performing.
“Warren believed in Apple before anyone else, and we will never forget it. Thank you Warren and congratulations to Howard, who will be a wonderful chairman.”
— Tim Cook -
first by Fast Company, 5d ago · also WSJ Tech, NDTV, UPI, Sydney Morning Herald, The Hindu, Philadelphia Inquirer +9
8 more headlines
- Who Is Howie Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway’s New Chairman? WSJ Tech · 5d ago
- Warren Buffett Steps Down As Hathaway Chairman, Son Howard To Take Over NDTV · 5d ago
- Warren Buffet steps down from chairmanship of Berkshire Hathaway UPI · 5d ago
- Warren Buffett, 96, steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman SMH.com.au · 5d ago
- Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman, a post he has held since 1970 Nine.com.au · 5d ago
- Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire chair, becomes chairman emeritus Jerusalem Post · 5d ago
- Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman, after holding the post since 1970 PBS NewsHour · 5d ago
- Warren Buffett abruptly steps down as Berkshire chair as ‘Father Time’ wins, handing role to son Howard who will ‘guard its culture and values’ Fortune · 5d ago
-
N
# WarrenBuffett will step down as chairman of # BerkshireHathaway , the # investing powerhouse he built. His son will replace him. Buffett, who turned 96 on Aug 30, will become chairman emeritus, effective immediately, & remain on Berkshire’s board. His son, Howard G. Buffett, will become chairman. “Serving as your Chairman has been the privilege…
2 more of the top 3 · 6 posts in this stretch
-
A
Warren Buffett is so old that his son, who is taking over, is 71 years old.
-
A lot of negativity here on Buffett. I doubt any mega-billionaire is a total saint, but by comparison Warren seems like a guy who tried to do good in the world.We should hope for fewer billionaires, but as long as we have them, we should hope for more Warrens.
-
-
2
Howard Buffett named chairman, Greg Abel stays CEO
In a letter to shareholders, Buffett confirmed his son Howard G. Buffett will become chairman as part of a long-standing succession plan, with Greg Abel continuing as chief executive.
“Serving as your Chairman has been the privilege of a lifetime, & I have never taken your trust for granted.”
— Warren Buffett -
BREAKING: Warren Buffett steps down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, a post he has held since 1970.
2 more of the top 3 · 47 posts in this stretch
-
C
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Warren Buffett steps down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, a post he has held since 1970. @apnews.com $BRK
-
N
Investor Warren Buffett steps down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, effective immediately. https://www. berkshirehathaway.com/news/sep 1826.pdf
-
-
1
Buffett steps down as Berkshire chairman, becomes chairman emeritus
Berkshire Hathaway announced Warren Buffett's resignation as chairman, a post he held since 1970, effective immediately; he remains on the board as chairman emeritus.
“BREAKING: Warren Buffett steps down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, a post he has held since 1970.”
— @AP -
19 outlets first by The Indian Express, 5d ago · also Indian Express, MarketWatch, Investing.com News, Forbes Business, NY Post, HN Best +12 · read ↗
-
10 outlets first by The Oregonian, 5d ago · also Yahoo Finance, Guardian Business, Bloomberg Markets, NYT, Philadelphia Inquirer, BBC +3 · read ↗
-
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
-
first by Yahoo Finance Australia, 3d ago · also Fortune, Yahoo Finance
and 6 smaller pieces
What people are saying 14 voices from 4 sites · best of 106 · verbatim
- Will Berkshire finally start issuing a dividend now that Buffett has stepped back further?
- What is the succession plan after Howard, given that he is already 71?
- Sep 19
-
Buffett and Munger had decades to assess who could best execute their playbook, and they chose Greg Abel. Berkshire’s edge is discipline, not mystique. It runs on process, not pixie dust. Abel is the person who was deemed most qualified to carry that forward and I would honestly be surprised if he doesn't. Obviously now being such a large company…
- Sep 18
-
While I liked your comment enough to upvote, I then realized that Chairman isn't an operational position. It's more a position where the person can exercise ownership of a company (to put it in layman terms). In your analogy he wouldn't be the athlete, more like the person who gets the winning money (assuming his son also has shares) and chooses…
-
there's nothing wrong with leaving things to your kids to run.that's the point of the effort after all.warren as smart as he is was tryna go against the grain of thousands of human evolution. if you train your kids - then most likely they would've values similar to yours. hit or miss but most times a hit.
-
Buffett has been planning this since at least 2011:CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Warren Buffett has told the CBS News program "60 Minutes" that after he dies, he wants his son to become non-executive chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. Howard Buffett, a farmer with no college degree, would be a good successor, the elder Buffett said, because he understands…
-
I guess Warren’s quote only applies to other people, not him. "It’s like choosing the 2020 Olympic team by picking the eldest sons of the gold-medal winners in the 2000 Olympics." (
-
Buffett Steps Down as Berkshire Chairman, Xi-Trump Summit, More https://www. bloomberg.com/news/audio/2026- 09-18/buffett-steps-down-as-berkshire-chairman-xi-trump-summit-more?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Posted into Bloomberg Television @ bloomberg-television-bloomberg
-
Best wishes and all. But given Berkshire's scale, and the son's age (71), questions about the next succession plan seem appropriate.Also, since the NYT says nothing else about the son: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Graham_Buffett In context, his recent involvement in local politics seems rather odd.
-
Warren Buffett: “Be kind, and the world is better off. I'm not sure that the world will be better off if I'm richer."
-
Todd left (was booted? I dunno) and went to JPM. There was a point not that long ago where it was clear in a 13f that what Todd was responsible for in the portfolio was sold off. It feels like Greg Abel is currently managing the majority of the investments, with Ted continuing for the time being to manage a small piece. The Todd/Ted era really…
-
What a run. Glad he gets to enjoy his golden years. And some Dairy Queen.
-
G
🔴 BREAKING Warren Buffett Steps Down as Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffett has announced his resignation as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, ending a tenure of over 60 years. This leadership transition marks a significant moment for the conglomerate, which Buffett guided to become a globally recognized investment firm. 📰 https://www…
-
This is where Berkshire Hathaway came into being in 1955 -- a merger of two textile mill companies in Adams, Massachusetts. Berkshire Fine Spinning and Hathaway Manufacturing.
-
Ugh this will not end well for those investors
-
Buffett Replaced as Berkshire Chairman, Traders Await Trump-Xi Summit, More https://www. bloomberg.com/news/audio/2026- 09-18/buffett-replaced-as-berkshire-chairman-trump-xi-summit-more?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Posted into Bloomberg Television @ bloomberg-television-bloomberg