What's Warren Buffett Worth Today? The Oracle's Staggering $148 Billion Fortune

Warren Buffett’s current net worth sits at $148.1 billion according to the latest Forbes rankings. This figure alone tells an impressive story, but the real jaw-dropper? How much richer Buffett has become in just five years.

The Wealth Explosion: $82 Billion in Five Years

In 2020, Buffett was worth $67.5 billion, ranking third globally behind Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates. Fast forward to today, and he’s added a staggering $82 billion to his fortune. That’s roughly $16.4 billion per year on average—a pace that most billionaires can only dream of.

The climb hasn’t been linear though. Between 2019 and 2020, Buffett actually lost $15 billion as Berkshire Hathaway’s airline holdings tanked during travel disruptions. But that dip proved temporary. His current ranking on Forbes’ richest Americans list is No. 9, having surpassed Bill Gates (now worth $107 billion at No. 14) while still trailing Jeff Bezos at No. 4 with $241 billion.

The Engine Behind Buffett’s Gains

What’s driving this extraordinary wealth accumulation? Berkshire Hathaway’s stock performance plays a starring role. The company’s Class A shares have surged 13% recently, significantly boosting Buffett’s bottom line.

But there’s more. In 2024 alone, Berkshire Hathaway’s liquid assets—cash, Treasury bills, and other easily convertible holdings—doubled to $334 billion. That mountain of capital provides both a safety net and ammunition for future investments. Overall, Berkshire Hathaway’s total market value has reached $1.2 trillion, making it one of the world’s most valuable corporations.

Leadership Transition Ahead

Buffett announced earlier this year that he’ll step down as CEO at the end of 2025, with Greg Abel taking the helm. This succession planning comes as Buffett enters his mid-90s, though his investment acumen remains as sharp as ever.

The Philanthropy Angle: A Billionaire’s Legacy

Here’s where the Warren Buffett story gets interesting beyond just the numbers. Despite accumulating this massive wealth, Buffett has given away roughly $65 billion to date. More remarkably, he’s committed to donating over 99% of his total wealth—meaning at least $148 billion will eventually go to charitable causes.

Since 2006, Buffett has donated approximately 57% of his Berkshire shares. According to analysis, had he retained all those shares instead of giving them away, he would be the world’s wealthiest person, surpassing Elon Musk (currently worth $320 billion). But that’s never been Buffett’s priority. His focus remains on wealth creation through disciplined investing and eventual wealth distribution through philanthropy.

The takeaway? Warren Buffett’s journey from $67.5 billion to $148.1 billion in five years isn’t just about personal riches—it’s a masterclass in long-term value creation combined with a historical commitment to giving it away.