Warren Buffett has been named chairman emeritus of Berkshire Hathaway with immediate effect and will remain on the company’s board of directors. His son, Howard Graham Buffett, will succeed him as chairman.
Warren Buffett is stepping down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, the company said on Friday, September 18, 2026, marking a major leadership change at the investment conglomerate he has led for decades.
In a statement, Berkshire Hathaway said Buffett had been named chairman emeritus, effective immediately. The 96-year-old investing legend will remain a member of the company’s board of directors.
Buffett will be replaced as chairman by his son, Howard Graham Buffett, according to the company.
Buffett’s decision to relinquish the chairmanship comes after the company began shifting executive responsibilities to the next generation of leadership.
Buffett built his fortune through long-term investing at Berkshire Hathaway and transformed the company from a struggling textile manufacturer into one of the world’s largest and most closely watched conglomerates.
The billionaire investor has been synonymous with Berkshire Hathaway for decades, with shareholders closely following decisions involving the company’s succession and future leadership structure.
The company did not immediately provide further details about the change beyond announcing Buffett’s appointment as chairman emeritus and Howard Buffett’s elevation to chairman.
This is a developing story.