Business

Buffett Hands Berkshire’s Chairmanship to Son Howard After Decades at Helm

Published: 18 September 2026 · 1 min read

What Happened

Warren Buffett, 96, has stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway after more than five decades in the role. He will become chairman emeritus and remain on the board, while his son Howard Buffett takes over as chairman under a long-planned succession plan. Greg Abel, Buffett’s chosen successor, had already taken over as CEO earlier this year.

Key Takeaways

Buffett transformed Berkshire from a struggling textile company into a $1 trillion conglomerate and became one of the world's most influential investors. While day-to-day leadership has already shifted to Greg Abel, Buffett's departure from the chairmanship marks the symbolic end of one of the most successful and celebrated leadership eras in corporate history.

Sources

Reuters, AP News