Doris Buffett Interview: Reflections on Growing Up with Warren Buffett

Doris Buffett, Warren Buffett’s older sister, recalls childhood memories, their father’s run for congress and her admiration for Warren’s late wife Susie. She discusses Warren’s Legacy of Integrity.

Doris Eleanor Buffett was born in 1928 in Ohama, Nebraska. She was known as the “retail” philanthropist and the founder of The Sunshine Lady Foundation, The Learning By Giving Foundation, and The Letters Foundation which she co-founded alongside Warren. She attracted attention with the publication of a 2010 book titled, Giving It All Away: The Doris Buffett Story, which was authored by Michael Zitz. She passed away on August 4, 2020.

From the HBO / Kunhardt Film Foundation (KFF) Documentary "Becoming Warren Buffett." With a net worth of over $60,000,000,000, Warren Buffett is truly a one-of-a-kind billionaire. This documentary chronicles Buffett's evolution into one of the wealthiest and most respected men in the world.

Doris Buffett, Warren's Sister
Interviewed By: Peter Kunhardt
Interview Date: December 7, 2015

© Home Box Office and Kunhardt Film Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

#DorisBuffett #kunhardtfilmfoundation

[Kra-rifd]

Mrs. Buffett ran a program with her own money that helped my kids (two small boys) and I get on our feet from being homeless. She is the reason we never actually had to sleep on the streets. In fact, we rode out an earth quake in that shelter! I didn't know she ran this program when I was hired at the local airport. Eventually Mrs. Buffett flew in through the airport numerous times. I didn't even know who she was. I found out she was famous and, eventually found out she was Warren Buffetts sister. My job was to helped carry her bags, bring her car around, marshal her plane in, and fuel it. One day, I was reading the local news paper while at work. The day was slow and no planes were flying so I was just passing the time. I saw an article about how Mrs. Buffett was buying another women's shelter and that she ran a housing program to get mothers and children on their feet! My jaw dropped. I realized then that her shelter kept us off the street. I didn't know she funded that. Her program got us our first house! It took me months before I could open my mouth to thank her as I helped carry her bags to her car. I wanted to but I just didn't know what to say! How do you adequately thank someone who does something like that for you and she didn't even know who she had blessed?? When I finally was able to talk to her, Mrs Buffett asked me how we were doing. She asked if I needed a scholarship for college. I had the VA benefits from my military time so I thanked her but declined the offer. She asked me if I needed anything else. I thanked her but declined again...I mean she had done plenty for me. I wasn't about to ask for more! She then gave me her house phone number and told me where she lived and told me to ask if I needed anything! I never did ask. We did see some somewhat desperate situations (nothing compared to homelessness though!) after that but I never did ask for more help. My kids and I have never been homeless again. In fact, I am one class away from my associates in business administration. I am remarried and, currently, I am sitting across the kitchen table from my youngest son as he works on his homeschool work. We homeschooled at the communal table in her shelter too. It took years before I could homeschool again but I'm finishing the job I set out to do. I am 99.5 percent debt free (small personal loan from family yet to be paid) even! Mrs. Buffett blessed my families lives. When I spoke to her, she was very down to earth. She didn't let her wealth get to her head at all. She remembered her struggles and used her blessings to bless others. While she might have flown in her brothers jets, she drove a car you wouldn't be able to pick out in the parking lot of the local grocery store. She was not flashy at all. She made this world better and is still doing so even after her passing.

[danfisher]

RIP Ms. Buffett - you were so elegant, brilliant & articulate.

[Bmayo]

This is a treasure. Peter Buffett is a man fully in touch with himself (as well as a person can be). He acknowledges any short-comings; But, also appreciates the profound blessings, and doesn’t seem to hold any resentments.

Warren and Suzie raised three great, and wildly different child. That fact is as impressive as Berkshire Hathaway itself.

[Greg_Chase]

Gosh she seems intelligent. In 2015, at the time of the recording, she was 87. She sure didn't look it. Very few people that age have such great mental acuity. Their parents passed on some amazing genes.

[RoySparkes]

Awesome American Family GROUNDED on AWESOME HUMANE PRINCIPLES!! SIMPLY THE BEST!!

“Refusing to utter / to respond with any NEGATIVITY!! “

PROFOUNDLY INSPIRING!!

[phillthethrill]

2:35 “what’s that one in Pennsylvania, Wharton, yea” lol

[Abbysteel]

Are you aware of face yoga 🧘‍♂️ and yoga and the healthy life to drink water.. 🍸 🙏 ✨️ ☺️ ❤ I love hearing about your brother your stories Friday night Saturday can wait...

[sirveevcs]

It is extremely sad that Warren feels guilty that he could not protect Doris from their mother's violent temper. He was just a small kid, and their father never knew what their mother was doing to the kids.

One time Warren Buffett owned a hearse, and parked it in front of their home?!

When Warren was a child and was bored, I wonder what was going through his mind, as he tried to deal with his boredom (like the time they were at a church circle).

Doris said Warren, as a child, was very content and good-natured.

[Heresheis]

There would be responsibilities. How to manage the pool of funds ? IMF # in progress # ING # social welfare

[tompugh]

There is a misspelling of her last name.