Warren Buffett’s Thanksgiving Letter: Wisdom, Legacy, Leadership and a Gentle Goodbye

 Warren Buffett, famously known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” writes with the same clarity at 95 that he had decades ago. His latest Thanksgiving Letter feels like listening to a perfectly tuned old radio: steady, simple, and honest.

For the first time, Buffett says he is “going quiet.”
He will no longer write Berkshire Hathaway’s annual report or speak for long hours at the shareholder meetings. The company’s leadership has now fully transitioned to Greg Abel.

But even as he steps back, Buffett’s words carry the warmth, wit and wisdom that define his remarkable journey.

Greg Abel: The Next Leader of Berkshire

Buffett expresses full confidence in Greg Abel, calling him both honest and a tireless worker. In Buffett’s style, a true leader is someone who hands over command without fear, and Greg is that person. Berkshire’s future, he believes, is in capable hands.

A Glimpse into 1938: Illness, childhood letters, and big imagination

Buffett opens up about a deeply personal memory.
In 1938, a dangerous illness led to an emergency appendectomy. What began as stomach pain turned into a life-threatening moment. He recalls nurses who comforted him, third-grade classmates who sent him letters, and his childish FBI fantasies that still make him smile.

These moments show the softer, human side of Buffett.
He shares them like one turns the yellow pages of an old family album.

People Who Built His Life

Buffett pays tribute to the people who shaped him:

• Charlie Munger, his closest intellectual partner, even though they lived just one block apart and didn’t meet until age 28.
• Stan Lipsey, whose work brought Berkshire major success in the newspaper business.
• Walter Scott, a generous philanthropist from Nebraska.
• Don Keough, who rose from coffee salesman to President of Coca-Cola and calmly handled the New Coke disaster.
• Ajit Jain and Greg Abel, who came from different countries but ended up living near Buffett in Omaha.

Buffett jokes with a smile:
“Is there something magical in Omaha’s water?”

Omaha: Buffett’s True Home

He admits that New York’s glamour was fine, but the real lessons, real friendships, and real roots came from Omaha.
This city shaped both his career and his character.

Age, Time, and Acceptance

Buffett writes that people don’t suddenly become old; it happens slowly. And once it begins, the process never stops.

Even today he goes to the office, reads, thinks, and looks for new opportunities. But he also accepts that Lady Luck has blessed him far more than he deserved.
From birth to business, he acknowledges privilege with grace.

This humility is what makes Buffett so unique.

Wealth, Children, and Planning for the Future

His three children are now 67 to 72.
So Buffett has accelerated the distribution of his wealth. He doesn’t want decisions made after his death. Instead, he trusts his children and their foundations to use the money wisely.

One powerful line from the letter:

“Ruling from the grave is never a good idea.”

Market Crashes: A Lesson in Patience

Buffett reminds investors that every major company faces a 50 percent decline at some point. Berkshire itself has been through this three times.
But the market always recovers.

“America always comes back. And Berkshire will too.”

Ego, Greed, and CEO Compensation

He sharply criticizes greed, envy, comparison and excessive CEO compensation. These things slowly corrupt companies. Leaders often ignore this until it’s too late.

Buffett’s Personal Advice for Life

In the later years of his life, Buffett simplifies his philosophy into a few timeless thoughts:

• Don’t crush yourself over your own mistakes.
• Learn a little every day and move forward.
• Choose the right heroes.
• Kindness costs nothing but is priceless.
• A cleaning worker is just as much a human being as the chairman.

And his most unforgettable line:

“Live your life today in a way that you’d be proud to read in your obituary.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Real leadership means preparing the next leader.
• Your roots matter. They shape your character.
• Luck plays a bigger role than we admit.
• The purpose of wealth is redistribution, not hoarding.
• Ego and greed destroy companies from within.
• Don’t fear market drops; they are normal cycles.
• Kindness wins in every environment.
• Your story is yours to write. Begin now.

Conclusion

Warren Buffett’s Thanksgiving Letter is more than an investor update.
It is the voice of a 95-year-old man who has understood life deeply, lived it honestly, and shared its lessons generously.

His message is a blend of humility, humor, and hope.
Berkshire’s future with Greg Abel looks strong, and Buffett’s life reminds us that success is not measured by money alone, but by character, integrity, and kindness.