While global markets experienced a significant downturn, wiping out an estimated $5 trillion, legendary investor Warren Buffett was a notable exception, increasing his wealth while other top billionaires, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg, suffered substantial losses.
The market decline followed the announcement of sweeping tariffs by the US President, impacting 184 countries and sending shockwaves through the global economy. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Buffett was the only individual among the world’s ten wealthiest to post gains during this period of financial turmoil.
Since the tariff announcement, global stocks have plummeted, pushing US markets to their lowest levels since March 2020. The market crash resulted in the fourth-worst single-day wealth destruction in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index’s 13-year history, with the top 500 richest individuals losing a combined total of $536 billion.
However, Warren Buffett, the head of Berkshire Hathaway, not only weathered the storm but also saw his net worth increase by $12.7 billion, bringing his total to $155 billion and placing him on par with Bill Gates.
Buffett’s strategic investment approach played a crucial role in his success. In 2024, Berkshire Hathaway sold $134 billion worth of stocks and accumulated a record $334 billion cash reserve, primarily held in short-term US Treasury bills. This conservative strategy effectively shielded the company from the market downturn.
