Berkshire Hathaway was the first U.S. company to reach a $1 trillion market capitalization without being founded in the 20th century.
Berkshire Hathaway crossed $1 trillion in August 2024. Its corporate history began in the 19th century: Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates was formed in 1888, and the modern holding company later emerged through the combination of Berkshire Hathaway and other businesses.
Warren Buffett began building his controlling interest in Berkshire in the 1960s and transformed it from a struggling textile manufacturer into a diversified holding company. Insurance became central to the strategy, with investments and operating subsidiaries adding further sources of value.
The question highlights a contrast with many market-cap leaders founded during the technology era. Apple was founded in 1976, Microsoft in 1975, and Amazon in 1994. Berkshire’s trillion-dollar status therefore reflects a long corporate history and a business model built across multiple industries.