Berkshire Hathaway Inc. News Release

Rhea-AI Summary

Warren E. Buffett converts 1,600 A shares into 2,400,000 B shares to donate to four family foundations. The donations repeat those made at Thanksgiving last year and supplement lifetime pledges made in 2006. Mr. Buffett's children, who are the executors of his current will, are also the named trustees of the charitable trust that will receive 99%-plus of his wealth. The trust will be self-liquidating after a decade or so and operate with a lean staff, funded by Berkshire shares. Berkshire's distinctive characteristics and behavior will be supported by Mr. Buffett's large Berkshire holdings in the short-term, with the company's reputation to be earned in the long-term after his death.

Positive

• Warren E. Buffett's donations to family foundations demonstrate his commitment to philanthropy and his belief that dynastic wealth is not desirable.
• Berkshire's self-liquidating charitable trust funded by Berkshire shares ensures the continuation of philanthropic efforts after Mr. Buffett's death.
• The presence of the right CEO and Board of Directors at Berkshire provides confidence in the company's future leadership and governance.

Negative

• None.

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- (BRK.A; BRK.B) – Today, Warren E. Buffett converted 1,600 A shares into 2,400,000 B shares in order to give these B shares to four family foundations: 1,500,000 shares to The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and 300,000 shares to each of The Sherwood Foundation, The Howard G. Buffett Foundation and NoVo Foundation. These donations have been delivered today.

Mr. Buffett’s comments to his fellow shareholders follow:

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The donations itemized above repeat those made at Thanksgiving last year. They supplement certain of the lifetime pledges I made in 2006 and that continue until my death (at 93, I feel good but fully realize I am playing in extra innings). The 2006 pledges, available at berkshirehathaway.com, include various conditions, all of which continue to be met by the recipients.

My three children are now – and this is hard for their father to believe – between 65 and 70 years of age. For some years, their foundations have distributed substantial sums, occasionally to the same donee. Usually, however, the three follow different paths.

My children, along with their father, have a common belief that dynastic wealth, though both legal and common in much of the world including the United States, is not desirable. Moreover, we have had many opportunities to observe that being rich does not make you either wise or evil. We also agree that capitalism – whatever its weaknesses, including the vast disparities in wealth and political influence that it delivers somewhat capriciously to its citizens – has worked wonders and continues to work wonders.

The United States is exhibit A for that belief, and the four of us feel lucky that we beat very long odds when we were born in the U.S.

My three children are the executors of my current will as well as the named trustees of the charitable trust that will receive 99%-plus of my wealth pursuant to the provisions of the will. They were not fully prepared for this awesome responsibility in 2006, but they are now.

In administering the testamentary trust, the three must act unanimously. Because of the random nature of mortality, successors must always be designated. The trust’s charter will be broad. Laws in respect to philanthropy will change from time to time, and wise trustees above ground are preferable to any strictures written by someone long gone. Whatever the rules – and rules are necessary – private philanthropy will always have an important place in America.

The testamentary trust will be self-liquidating after a decade or so and operate with a lean staff. To the extent possible, it will be funded by Berkshire shares. Berkshire – one of the largest and most diversified companies in the world – will inevitably encounter human errors in judgment and behavior. These occur at all large organizations, public or private. But these mistakes are unlikely to be serious at Berkshire and will be acknowledged and corrected. We have the right CEO to succeed me and the right Board of Directors as well. Both are needed.

In the short-term, Berkshire’s distinctive characteristics and behavior will be supported by my large Berkshire holdings. Before long, however, Berkshire will earn whatever reputation it then deserves. Decay can occur at all types of large institutions, whether governmental, philanthropic or profit-seeking. But it is not inevitable. Berkshire’s advantage is that it has been built to last.

After my death, the disposition of my assets will be an open book – no “imaginative” trusts or foreign entities to avoid public scrutiny but rather a simple will available for inspection at the Douglas County Courthouse.

At Thanksgiving I have much to be thankful for. And to all of my partners in ownership of Berkshire, I wish you and your families the best in health and happiness.

About Berkshire

Berkshire Hathaway and its subsidiaries engage in diverse business activities including insurance and reinsurance, utilities and energy, freight rail transportation, manufacturing, retailing and services. Common stock of the company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading symbols BRK.A and BRK.B.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231121742943/en/

Marc D. Hamburg

402-346-1400

Source: Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

FAQ

What did Warren E. Buffett do with 1,600 A shares?

Warren E. Buffett converted 1,600 A shares into 2,400,000 B shares to donate to four family foundations.

What are the names of the family foundations receiving the B shares?

The family foundations receiving the B shares are The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, The Sherwood Foundation, The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, and NoVo Foundation.

Who are the executors of Warren E. Buffett's current will?

Warren E. Buffett's three children are the executors of his current will.

What will happen to 99%-plus of Warren E. Buffett's wealth after his death?

99%-plus of Warren E. Buffett's wealth will be received by a charitable trust, of which his three children are the named trustees.

How will the charitable trust be funded?

The charitable trust will be funded by Berkshire shares.