Warren Buffett Steps Down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO After Six Decades

‘Oracle of Omaha’ Hands Over to Greg Abel as Conglomerate Enters New Era

Legendary investor Warren Buffett has officially stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., bringing to an end a historic 60-year tenure at the helm of the multinational conglomerate.

Buffett’s resignation took effect on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, marking his final day as CEO of the company he famously transformed from a struggling textile business into one of the world’s most valuable corporations.

The billionaire investor had earlier announced his intention to relinquish the role in his annual CEO message in November 2025, naming Greg Abel as his successor.

Greg Abel Takes Over January 1

Abel, who serves as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy and vice-chairman in charge of non-insurance operations, formally assumes office on January 1, 2026.

Explaining his confidence in the transition, Buffett said Abel was uniquely qualified to lead the company.

“I can’t think of a CEO, a management consultant, an academic, a member of government, you name it that I would select over Greg to handle your savings and mine,” Buffett said at the time.

While stepping aside as chief executive, Buffett is expected to remain chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, maintaining an active presence in the company’s governance.

A Legacy That Redefined Investing

Widely known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” Buffett is regarded as one of the most successful investors in history, with an estimated net worth of $152 billion.

Once the world’s richest person, Buffett currently ranks as the tenth-wealthiest individual globally, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Over the decades, he has inspired generations of business leaders and investors, including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Pershing Square founder Bill Ackman.

Building a Trillion-Dollar Giant

Under Buffett’s leadership, Berkshire Hathaway evolved into one of the world’s largest companies, boasting a market capitalisation exceeding $1 trillion, according to CompaniesMarketCap.

The conglomerate today owns and operates dozens of businesses across multiple sectors, including Geico, Duracell, and Dairy Queen, among many others.

As Berkshire enters a new chapter under Greg Abel, Buffett’s departure as CEO marks the end of an era widely seen as one of the most influential in modern corporate history.