Who managed Berkshire Hathaway as chairman and CEO from 1970 to 2025?

Warren Buffett managed Berkshire Hathaway as chairman and CEO from 1970 through 2025. He began building control of the struggling textile company in the 1960s and formally became chairman in 1969, with 1970 commonly marking the start of his long leadership era.

Under Buffett, Berkshire evolved from a textile manufacturer into a diversified holding company. Its businesses and investments came to include insurance, railroads, utilities, manufacturing, retailing and major publicly traded companies. Buffett became especially known for decentralized management and allocating Berkshire’s capital through shareholder letters and annual meetings.

A common mix-up is Greg Abel, who was Buffett’s designated successor and became CEO in January 2026. Abel was not Berkshire’s CEO during the period in the question. Buffett remained chairman after stepping down as CEO, while Abel took over the chief executive role.