Warren Buffett will still be in the room—but don’t expect him behind the mic.
Berkshire Hathaway confirmed that Buffett plans to attend the company’s 2025 annual shareholder meeting, set for next May in Omaha. But in a notable shift from tradition, the 93-year-old investing icon will not be participating in the event’s legendary Q&A session, according to people familiar with the matter.
The decision marks a symbolic changing of the guard at the $870 billion conglomerate, as Greg Abel, Buffett’s hand-picked successor, takes on an even more prominent role in leading Berkshire through its next era.
A new chapter—quietly unfolding
Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting, long dubbed the “Woodstock for Capitalists,” draws tens of thousands of investors each year who come not just for the business updates—but for Buffett’s signature wit and unscripted takes on markets, policy, and life.
At the 2024 meeting, Buffett addressed shareholders for the first time without his longtime business partner Charlie Munger by his side, following Munger’s death in late 2023. While Buffett still sat for hours fielding questions, he hinted that future meetings would look different.
Now we have confirmation: Buffett will attend the 2025 meeting, but won’t join the Q&A panel, which will likely be led by Greg Abel and Ajit Jain, who oversee Berkshire’s non-insurance and insurance businesses, respectively.
Preparing for the inevitable
Buffett remains Berkshire’s CEO and chairman and has not indicated any immediate plans to step down. But his gradual withdrawal from the spotlight signals what many Berkshire watchers have expected: a carefully choreographed succession designed to ensure stability, continuity, and investor confidence.
Abel, who currently oversees Berkshire’s sprawling collection of non-insurance businesses—including utilities, railroads, and retail—has been increasingly visible over the past few years. At recent meetings, he’s taken more questions, laid out strategic priorities, and subtly demonstrated that he’s ready for the top job.
Shareholder sentiment: grateful, but realistic
News of Buffett’s reduced public role may disappoint longtime fans who’ve made the pilgrimage to Omaha for decades. But many investors are realistic about the moment and grateful for the transparent succession plan Berkshire has put in place.
“Warren is still the north star of Berkshire,” one shareholder told CNBC. “But we also know he’s made sure this company will outlive him. That’s always been the goal.”
