Warren Buffett's message to shareholders: Full text of the farewell letter
Buffett led Berkshire Hathaway for over six decades, transforming the company from a struggling textile business into one of the world's largest and most closely watched conglomerates.
- Sep 21, 2026,
- Updated Sep 21, 2026 4:41 PM IST
Taking over as Chairman Emeritus of the company with immediate effect, he has handed over the reins to his son Howard Buffett. Howard Buffett, Warren Buffett's son, has been a Berkshire director since 1993. The company said the appointment recognises Buffett's 'extraordinary contributions' to Berkshire Hathaway and its shareholders. While stepping down from the chairmanship, Buffett will remain a member of the company's Board of Directors and continue to provide his experience, judgment and perspective.
Buffett led Berkshire Hathaway for over six decades, transforming the company from a struggling textile business into one of the world's largest and most closely watched conglomerates. Under his leadership, Berkshire built a diversified portfolio spanning insurance, investments, utilities, energy, transportation, manufacturing, services and retail.
Berkshire Hathaway and its subsidiaries currently operate across a wide range of industries, including insurance and reinsurance, utilities and energy, freight rail transportation, manufacturing, services and retailing.
The company's Class A and Class B shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols BRK.A and BRK.B.
Berkshire said Warren Buffett's comments on the transition have been shared with shareholders in a letter accompanying the announcement.
Here is the full text of the letter.
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
To My Fellow Shareholders:
Berkshire has an extraordinary group of shareholders. From the beginning, Charlie and I looked for owners who thought in decades rather than quarters, and we were fortunate to find a great many of you.
Recently, I celebrated my 96th birthday with family and friends, including one of my great-grandchildren, who had just turned one. He’s moving a bit faster than I am these days.
I have served Berkshire since 1965. Sixty-plus years in, I still have the best job in the world. That is not something many people my age can say, and I have never felt better about what comes next.
Part of the reason is Greg. My expectations for him were sky high from the start, and he has exceeded them. He has taken hold of the Chief Executive Officer job in every respect. He has been making the decisions that matter for some time now, and I have not had to think twice about any of them.
So the timing is right to complete the transition. I will become Chairman Emeritus and remain a Director. My son, Howard, will succeed me as Chairman.
Howard has been a Berkshire Director for 33 years. That is a longer apprenticeship than I served before taking the reins at the age of 34. Greg runs the company; Howard will guard its culture and values – both worth more than anything on our balance sheet. Think of Howard as a policy the shareholders own and hope never to claim against.
Howard cares deeply about Berkshire, as do all of our Directors. No company has been or will be more shareholder-minded than Berkshire.
Serving as your Chairman has been the privilege of a lifetime, and I have never taken your trust for granted. Father Time always wins. He has, however, been generous with me. He has given me the opportunity to see Berkshire reach a point where I am more confident than ever about what lies ahead. The company is in excellent hands, and I look forward to remaining a shareholder alongside you.
September 18, 2026 Warren E. Buffett
Taking over as Chairman Emeritus of the company with immediate effect, he has handed over the reins to his son Howard Buffett. Howard Buffett, Warren Buffett's son, has been a Berkshire director since 1993. The company said the appointment recognises Buffett's 'extraordinary contributions' to Berkshire Hathaway and its shareholders. While stepping down from the chairmanship, Buffett will remain a member of the company's Board of Directors and continue to provide his experience, judgment and perspective.
Buffett led Berkshire Hathaway for over six decades, transforming the company from a struggling textile business into one of the world's largest and most closely watched conglomerates. Under his leadership, Berkshire built a diversified portfolio spanning insurance, investments, utilities, energy, transportation, manufacturing, services and retail.
Berkshire Hathaway and its subsidiaries currently operate across a wide range of industries, including insurance and reinsurance, utilities and energy, freight rail transportation, manufacturing, services and retailing.
The company's Class A and Class B shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols BRK.A and BRK.B.
Berkshire said Warren Buffett's comments on the transition have been shared with shareholders in a letter accompanying the announcement.
Here is the full text of the letter.
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
To My Fellow Shareholders:
Berkshire has an extraordinary group of shareholders. From the beginning, Charlie and I looked for owners who thought in decades rather than quarters, and we were fortunate to find a great many of you.
Recently, I celebrated my 96th birthday with family and friends, including one of my great-grandchildren, who had just turned one. He’s moving a bit faster than I am these days.
I have served Berkshire since 1965. Sixty-plus years in, I still have the best job in the world. That is not something many people my age can say, and I have never felt better about what comes next.
Part of the reason is Greg. My expectations for him were sky high from the start, and he has exceeded them. He has taken hold of the Chief Executive Officer job in every respect. He has been making the decisions that matter for some time now, and I have not had to think twice about any of them.
So the timing is right to complete the transition. I will become Chairman Emeritus and remain a Director. My son, Howard, will succeed me as Chairman.
Howard has been a Berkshire Director for 33 years. That is a longer apprenticeship than I served before taking the reins at the age of 34. Greg runs the company; Howard will guard its culture and values – both worth more than anything on our balance sheet. Think of Howard as a policy the shareholders own and hope never to claim against.
Howard cares deeply about Berkshire, as do all of our Directors. No company has been or will be more shareholder-minded than Berkshire.
Serving as your Chairman has been the privilege of a lifetime, and I have never taken your trust for granted. Father Time always wins. He has, however, been generous with me. He has given me the opportunity to see Berkshire reach a point where I am more confident than ever about what lies ahead. The company is in excellent hands, and I look forward to remaining a shareholder alongside you.
September 18, 2026 Warren E. Buffett