In one of the largest single charitable donations in history, Warren Buffett has gifted shares worth $6 billion from his company, Berkshire Hathaway, to five philanthropic organizations. The move, announced on June 27, 2025, marks Buffett's largest-ever annual donation since he began systematically giving away his wealth in 2006.
The donation includes approximately 12.36 million Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway, with the largest portion—over $4.6 billion—directed to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Other recipients include the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, which received around 943,000 shares, and the Sherwood, Howard G. Buffett, and NoVo Foundations, each receiving roughly 660,366 shares. These family-run foundations focus on various causes, from public health and education to reproductive rights and indigenous community support.
With this donation, Buffett’s total lifetime giving has surpassed \$60 billion. Despite this significant gift, the 93-year-old investment icon retains around 13.8 percent ownership of Berkshire Hathaway, maintaining considerable influence in the company he built over decades.
Buffett's philanthropic approach remains unique: rather than liquidating assets, he donates shares that continue to grow in value. He also ensures that the recipients sell the shares to fund charitable activities, preserving the stock’s market stability.
In 2024, Buffett revealed plans for a philanthropic trust that will distribute 99.5 percent of his remaining estate. After his death, this trust will be overseen by his three children—Howard, Susie, and Peter Buffett—who must unanimously agree on charitable disbursements over a period of approximately ten years.
This record-breaking donation is expected to slightly alter Buffett’s position on global wealth rankings, dropping him from fifth to sixth richest. However, his influence in reshaping modern philanthropy remains unparalleled. His strategy of intergenerational giving and structured charity sets a powerful precedent for wealthy individuals looking to make lasting global contributions.