Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett transformed a failing New England textile company into a $900 billion conglomerate through disciplined capital allocation, patient investing, and an extraordinary ability to identify great businesses run by great managers. Berkshire Hathaway owns GEICO, Dairy Queen, See's Candies, BNSF Railway, and dozens of other companies, while holding massive positions in Apple, Coca-Cola, and American Express. No one in history has compounded capital more effectively over a longer period.

Buffett's entrepreneurial genius is often overlooked because people think of him as an investor. But building Berkshire required entrepreneurial skills of the highest order — structuring deals, allocating capital across dozens of industries, managing a decentralized empire of 380,000+ employees, and maintaining a corporate culture that attracts the best owner-operators in American business. He designed Berkshire's unique structure — no dividends, minimal overhead, maximum autonomy for subsidiaries — and it has proven to be one of the most effective organizational models ever created.

His influence on business culture is immeasurable. His annual shareholder letters are the most widely read business documents on Earth. His partnership with Charlie Munger produced a framework for thinking about businesses that has influenced millions of investors and entrepreneurs. And his Giving Pledge — committing to give away 99% of his wealth — has inspired dozens of billionaires to follow suit. At 95, he remains the chairman of Berkshire and the most respected voice in American capitalism.