Warren Buffett donates record $6 billion Berkshire shares

TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:

"Warren Buffett Donates $6 Billion in Berkshire Hathaway Shares to Charities"

View Raw Article Source (External Link)
Raw Article Publish Date:
AI Analysis Average Score: 9.1
These scores (0-10 scale) are generated by Truthlens AI's analysis, assessing the article's objectivity, accuracy, and transparency. Higher scores indicate better alignment with journalistic standards. Hover over chart points for metric details.

TruthLens AI Summary

Warren Buffett made headlines with his recent donation of $6 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock, marking his largest annual contribution since he began his philanthropic efforts nearly two decades ago. On Friday, Buffett transferred approximately 12.36 million Class B shares to the Gates Foundation and four family charities, bringing his total charitable contributions to over $60 billion. Specifically, the donation included 9.43 million shares to the Gates Foundation, 943,384 shares to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, and 660,366 shares each to the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Sherwood Foundation, and NoVo Foundation, which are led by his children. Despite this significant donation, Buffett still retains a 13.8% ownership stake in Berkshire Hathaway, with his net worth estimated at $152 billion prior to the donation, making him the fifth-richest individual globally according to Forbes. Following this donation, he will rank sixth on the list of the world's wealthiest individuals.

At 94 years old, Buffett's philanthropic journey began in 2006, and he has since made substantial changes to his will, designating 99.5% of his remaining fortune to a charitable trust managed by his children after his passing. This trust will allow his children—Susie, Howard, and Peter—to distribute the funds over the next decade, requiring unanimous agreement on the allocation. Buffett has long been at the helm of Berkshire Hathaway, a conglomerate valued at $1.05 trillion, which encompasses nearly 200 businesses, including Geico and BNSF Railway, as well as numerous high-profile stocks like Apple and American Express. The foundations receiving his donations focus on various causes, including reproductive health, global hunger, and support for marginalized communities. Buffett has indicated that his donations to the Gates Foundation will cease upon his death, highlighting a clear direction for his philanthropic legacy.

TruthLens AI Analysis

You need to be a member to generate the AI analysis for this article.

Log In to Generate Analysis

Not a member yet? Register for free.

Unanalyzed Article Content

Warren Buffett donated on Friday another $6 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to the Gates Foundation and four family charities, his biggest annual donation since he began giving away his fortune nearly two decades ago.

The donation of about 12.36 million Berkshire Class B shares boosted Buffett’s overall giving to the charities to well over $60 billion.

He donated 9.43 million shares to the Gates Foundation; 943,384 shares to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation; and 660,366 shares to each of three charities led respectively by his children Howard, Susie, and Peter: the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Sherwood Foundation and NoVo Foundation.

Warren Buffett still owns 13.8% of Berkshire’s stock, based on reported shares outstanding.

His $152 billion net worth prior to Friday’s donations made him the world’s fifth-richest person, according to Forbes magazine.

Buffett would rank sixth after the donations, which surpassed the $5.3 billion he donated last June. He donated another $1.14 billion to the family charities last November.

In a statement, Buffett maintained he does not intend to sell any Berkshire shares.

Now 94, Buffett began giving away his fortune in 2006.

He changed his will last year, designating 99.5% of his remaining fortune after his death to a charitable trust overseen by his children.

They will have about a decade todistributethe money, and must decide where it goes unanimously. Susie Buffett is 71, Howard Buffett is 70, and Peter Buffett is 67.

Warren Buffett has led Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire since 1965.

The $1.05 trillion conglomerate owns close to 200 businesses including Geico car insurance and the BNSF railroad, and dozens of stocks including Apple and American Express.

Susie Buffett leads the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, which funds reproductive health and is named for her mother, who was Warren Buffett’s first wife.

The Sherwood Foundation supports Nebraska nonprofits and early childhood education. The Howard G. Buffett Foundation focuses on global hunger, combating human trafficking and mitigating conflicts. The NoVo Foundation has initiatives focused on marginalized girls and women, and on indigenous communities.

Buffett said last June that donations to the Gates Foundation would end when he dies.

Back to Home
Source: CNN