Berkshire Hathaway Thanksgiving Message 2025

Author: Warren E. Buffett Date: November 10, 2025

Overview

In this Thanksgiving message, Buffett announces Greg Abel will become CEO at year-end, reflects on his 95 years of life and luck, and explains the acceleration of his charitable giving to his children's foundations.

Succession Announcement

"Greg Abel will become the boss at yearend. He is a great manager, a tireless worker, an honest communicator. Wish him an extended tenure."

Buffett will continue writing annual Thanksgiving messages but will no longer write the annual report or speak at the annual meeting.

The Donation

Foundation	Shares
Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation	1,500,000
Sherwood Foundation	400,000
Howard G. Buffett Foundation	400,000
NoVo Foundation	400,000

Total: 1,800 A shares converted to 2,700,000 B shares (~$1.35 billion at time of writing)

Reflections on Luck and Longevity

Buffett recounts:

Nearly dying at age 8 from appendicitis (saved by Dr. Harley Hotz)
Growing up in Omaha near Charlie Munger, Stan Lipsey, Walter Scott Jr., Don Keough
His 64 years working from the same office in Omaha

The Ovarian Lottery

"I was born in 1930 healthy, reasonably intelligent, white, male and in America. Wow!"

On Aging

"Father Time, to the contrary, now finds me more interesting as I age. And he is undefeated."

Philanthropy Acceleration

Reason: His children are now 72, 70, and 67. He wants to ensure they can distribute his estate before alternate trustees replace them.

"I would like to keep a significant amount of 'A' shares until Berkshire shareholders develop the comfort with Greg that Charlie and I long enjoyed."

Final Advice

On mistakes: "Don't beat yourself up over past mistakes — learn at least a little from them and move on."
On heroes: "Get the right heroes and copy them. You can start with Tom Murphy; he was the best."
On the Golden Rule: "Whether you are religious or not, it's hard to beat The Golden Rule as a guide to behavior."

Source

Warren E. Buffett, November 10, 2025.