Warren Buffett, the iconic investor often called the “Oracle of Omaha,” has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of Berkshire Hathaway, ending an extraordinary 60-year run at the helm of the conglomerate. Buffett, 95, officially retired as CEO on December 31, 2025, and passed the role to Greg Abel, a longtime lieutenant who has been widely seen as his successor. Buffett will continue to serve as Berkshire’s chairman and remain actively engaged from the company’s headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.
Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway in 1965, when it was a struggling textile company. Over the decades, he transformed it into one of the world’s most valuable and diversified conglomerates, with businesses spanning insurance, railroads, energy, manufacturing, retail, and services. Under his leadership, Berkshire delivered exceptional long-term returns to shareholders, with its shares gaining roughly 6.1 million per cent over six decades, a performance that far outpaced broader market indices.
On Buffett’s final day as CEO, Berkshire Hathaway shares edged lower, reflecting routine market movement rather than any major shift in investor confidence. Analysts and shareholders have long anticipated this transition, as Buffett had clearly signalled his succession plans and gradually delegated more responsibility in recent years.
Greg Abel, 63, who joined Berkshire in 2000, now assumes day-to-day control as CEO. He previously served as vice-chairman overseeing non-insurance operations, including Berkshire Hathaway Energy and BNSF Railway. Abel is expected to preserve the company’s core philosophy of disciplined capital allocation, long-term investing, and limited corporate bureaucracy.
Ajit Jain will continue to lead Berkshire’s vast insurance operations, a cornerstone of the company’s financial strength, while other senior executives retain oversight of key subsidiaries. One area of close attention will be Berkshire’s massive equity portfolio, valued at hundreds of billions of dollars, which Buffett personally managed for decades.
Buffett’s retirement as CEO marks the end of a defining era in global business. Known for his plain-spoken wisdom, patience, and focus on fundamentals, he reshaped how generations of investors think about value and long-term wealth creation. As Berkshire enters its post-Buffett chapter, markets will watch closely how the company evolves under new leadership,, guided, for now, by the steady presence of its legendary founder.
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