Hey everyone! Today, I want to share some unheard stories and surprising facts about Warren Buffett, the man behind some of the biggest investment decisions in history. We all know Buffett as the billionaire investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, but there’s a lot more to him than meets the eye. These stories show how his humility, discipline, and long-term thinking shaped his career and life. Let’s dive into the untold stories that reveal the true genius behind the Oracle of Omaha!
1. Coca-Cola Obsession: The Sweet Tooth That Shaped a Billion-Dollar Investment
Buffett has a serious love for Coca-Cola—he drinks around five cans every day, and he’s not shy about admitting it. But this isn’t just a fun fact; it actually influenced one of his most significant investments. In 1988, Buffett began buying shares in Coca-Cola, and soon, Berkshire Hathaway became one of the largest shareholders in the company, owning over 9%. Today, Coca-Cola remains one of his best-performing investments.
Buffett has a saying: “I’m one-quarter Coca-Cola,” referring to his diet and his love for the drink. His personal affinity for the brand, along with its strong brand loyalty and market dominance, convinced him that Coca-Cola was a business worth betting on for the long haul. He has always said that he only invests in what he understands—and his understanding of Coca-Cola wasn’t just as a consumer but as someone who saw the company’s ability to thrive globally.
2. Rejected by Harvard: The Door That Led to Columbia and Benjamin Graham
One of the most surprising stories about Buffett is that he was rejected by Harvard Business School. When he applied in 1950, he didn’t make the cut after his interview. Most people would be discouraged, but Buffett saw this as just another challenge. Instead, he applied to Columbia Business School, where he met Benjamin Graham, his future mentor and the father of value investing.
Benjamin Graham’s teachings had a profound influence on Buffett. Graham’s principle of buying stocks for less than their intrinsic value (known as margin of safety) became the cornerstone of Buffett’s investment philosophy. It’s safe to say that getting rejected by Harvard was one of the best things that could have happened to Buffett, as it set him on the path to his true investment calling.
3. The Teenage Farmer: Buffett’s First Big Investment
At the age of 14, while most kids were saving their money for comic books or bicycles, Buffett made his first significant investment—he bought a 40-acre farm in Nebraska! Using $1,200 he earned from delivering newspapers, Buffett rented the farm out and earned passive income. Even at this young age, Buffett was already thinking about long-term investments and how to grow his money.
This early foray into farming was a preview of Buffett’s investment genius. It was also a lesson in compound growth—a concept that would define his later investments. He didn’t have to work the farm himself; instead, he let someone else operate it, and he sat back and watched the money grow.
4. The Stock That Never Splits: Berkshire Hathaway’s Unique Strategy
One of the unique features of Berkshire Hathaway’s stock is that it’s never been split. While most companies split their stock to make it more affordable to small investors, Buffett has refused to do this. Why? He only wants long-term, serious investors to own Berkshire shares, not day traders or speculators.
As a result, Berkshire Hathaway’s Class A stock is now priced at over $500,000 per share. It’s one of the most expensive stocks in the world. Buffett’s reasoning is simple: he believes in attracting investors who think like him—people who are focused on the long-term value of the company, not on short-term price movements. This strategy has helped maintain the company’s reputation as a solid, stable investment.
5. The $1 Million Bet That Proved Simplicity Wins
In 2007, Warren Buffett made a $1 million bet with a hedge fund manager, challenging the idea that active fund managers could beat the market over time. Buffett believed that a simple index fund would outperform a collection of hedge funds over the course of ten years. The bet wasn’t just about money—it was about Buffett’s philosophy that low-cost, long-term investing is superior to high-fee, actively managed funds.
In 2017, Buffett won the bet. The index fund delivered higher returns than the hedge funds, reinforcing his belief in passive investing. The $1 million was donated to charity, but the real takeaway is that simplicity often wins. Buffett has always been an advocate of sticking with low-cost investments and trusting in the power of the market over time.
6. Still Living in His Modest Omaha House
Despite being worth over $100 billion, Buffett still lives in the same modest house he bought in 1958 for $31,500. It’s a far cry from the extravagant homes and yachts that other billionaires own, but Buffett doesn’t believe in spending money unnecessarily. His house in Omaha, Nebraska, is a testament to his frugality and his belief in living within your means.
Buffett has often said, “I have everything I need in that house.” It’s a reminder that success doesn’t have to be about flashy possessions; it’s about making smart decisions that align with your values.
7. The Uber Deal That Never Happened
Buffett almost invested in Uber in 2018. Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s CEO, approached Buffett about a $3 billion investment in the ride-hailing company. The two sides negotiated for a while, but ultimately, they couldn’t come to an agreement on the terms, and Buffett walked away from the deal.
What’s interesting here is that Buffett, despite his vast knowledge, still sticks to his core principle: if the deal doesn’t feel right, he doesn’t do it. His ability to say “no” when necessary has been a crucial part of his success. He only invests when the terms and the business make sense to him, proving that sometimes the deals you don’t make are just as important as the ones you do.
8. Coupon-Clipping Billionaire Who Loves McDonald’s
Despite his enormous wealth, Buffett loves McDonald’s and is known for being frugal. He even uses coupons! Buffett has said that on his way to work, he makes breakfast decisions based on the stock market’s performance. If the market is up, he might go for a $3.17 bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit, but if the market is down, he opts for the $2.61 sausage McMuffin.
This quirky habit is part of what makes Buffett so relatable. Even though he could buy out McDonald’s if he wanted to, he’s still happy saving a few dollars where he can. It’s a fun reminder that being smart with money doesn’t stop, no matter how rich you are.
9. Reading 500 Pages a Day
One of Buffett’s secret weapons? Reading—and lots of it. Buffett says he spends 80% of his day reading and that he goes through about 500 pages daily. Whether it’s financial reports, newspapers, or books, Buffett is always learning. His advice to young people? “Read 500 pages every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest.”
This commitment to continuous learning is one of the reasons he’s been able to stay ahead of the game for so many decades. Buffett believes that the more you learn, the more you earn, and this mindset is a big part of his success.
10. The Billionaire Philanthropist: Giving Away 99% of His Fortune
In 2006, Buffett made a pledge to give away 99% of his wealth to charity, mostly to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He also set up foundations for his children but made it clear that he’s not interested in leaving them massive inheritances. His philosophy? Give them “enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing.”
Buffett’s decision to donate the majority of his fortune reflects his deep commitment to philanthropy and his desire to make a positive impact on the world. It’s an inspiring reminder that wealth isn’t just about accumulating money—it’s also about using it for good.
These unheard stories about Warren Buffett show that his success isn’t just about numbers and investing—it’s about values, discipline, and long-term thinking. Whether it’s drinking Coca-Cola, reading 500 pages a day, or living in a modest house, Buffett’s life is full of simple yet profound lessons. What’s your favorite Warren Buffett story? Let’s chat about how we can all bring some of this Buffett wisdom into our lives!
