Potential successors for the investing titan, Warren Buffett, outlined: 5 prospects vying to step into his colossal footsteps
In the world of investing, the name Warren Buffett is synonymous with success and wisdom. As he prepares for his eventual retirement, the question on everyone's mind is who will take up the mantle of the Oracle of Omaha. While the answer is not yet clear, there are several contenders with impressive track records who are often mentioned in these discussions.
Greg Abel, currently vice chairman at Berkshire Hathaway, has been handpicked by Warren Buffett to succeed him as CEO in 2025 [2][3][4]. Abel is seen as a skilled operator and investor and is expected to bring a more hands-on management style to Berkshire Hathaway compared to Buffett’s famously hands-off approach [3]. His ascension is viewed by many as a continuation of Buffett’s legacy in value investing and capital allocation.
Warren Buffett himself has expressed confidence in Abel's abilities, stating that Berkshire's prospects will be better under his management than under Buffett's [5]. Abel has a long history with the company, having worked in the energy business for many years and being president of MidAmerican Energy when Berkshire invested in it in 1999.
Another notable contender is Bill Ackman, the founder of Pershing Square Capital, an investment fund that holds a concentrated portfolio of stocks [1]. Ackman has expressed an interest in building a Berkshire-like entity with permanent capital for long-term investing [6]. He has also been more outspoken on political issues, supporting President Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and backing Israel's actions in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war [1]. As of July 2025, Ackman was worth approximately $8.2 billion, according to Bloomberg [7].
Seth Klarman is the CEO and portfolio manager at The Baupost Group, a Boston-based investment manager that specializes in value investing across various asset classes, including stocks, bonds, and commercial real estate [1]. Klarman's annual letters are highly sought-after in the investment community, and he is the author of "Margin of Safety," considered one of the best books on investing ever written [8]. However, Klarman's potential to be the next Warren Buffett is not as definitive as Abel's, given his lesser breadth of influence and shorter track record [2].
Ted Weschler was hired by Buffett in 2011 to work as an investment manager at Berkshire. He previously managed his own hedge fund and met Buffett through a charity lunch auction [2]. Weschler's retirement account grew from about $70,000 at the end of 1989 to over $264 million at the end of 2018, only invested in publicly traded securities [3].
Li Lu, founder of Himalaya Capital, is another name that often comes up in discussions about the “next Warren Buffett.” Lu was expected to join Berkshire in an investment role but did not ultimately do so [2]. However, he is credited with introducing the electric-vehicle company BYD to Munger and Berkshire, which ultimately invested in the Chinese company, earning billions for Berkshire shareholders [2].
In summary, while Greg Abel is the frontrunner because he directly inherits Berkshire Hathaway’s mantle, others like Ackman, Klarman, Weschler, and Lu represent important but less definitive candidates for Buffett’s investing legacy [2][3][4]. Each of these investors has a unique approach and a proven track record of success, making them worth watching as the race for the next Warren Buffett continues.
References: 1. https://www.pershingsquareholdings.com/about/ 2. https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/2021ar.pdf 3. https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/20306556 4. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/06/greg-abel-berkshire-hathaways-next-ceo-has-a-plan-to-keep-buffett-s-legacy-alive.html 5. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/06/greg-abel-berkshire-hathaways-next-ceo-has-a-plan-to-keep-buffett-s-legacy-alive.html 6. https://www.businessinsider.com/bill-ackman-berkshire-hathaway-style-investing-2021-5 7. https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/20306556 8. https://www.amazon.com/Margin-Safety-Investing-Seth-Klarman/dp/047145423X
In the realm of finance, Greg Abel's ascension to CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in 2025, handpicked by Warren Buffett, is considered a continuation of Buffett's legacy in business and investing, reflecting a potential hands-on management style compared to Buffett's famously hands-off approach. Another notable investor, Bill Ackman, founder of Pershing Square Capital, has expressed an interest in emulating Buffett's approach to long-term investing, although his political stances and shorter track record set him apart from Abel.
