While many of the world’s richest individuals have seen their fortunes shrink in 2025, Warren Buffett is one of the few who has gained significant wealth despite market turbulence triggered by President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Warren Buffett’s Wealth Grows
Buffett’s net worth has risen by $11.5 billion this year, reaching $153.5 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This increase comes even after a $14.5 billion drop since April 2, when his wealth hit a five-year high.
He is the fourth-richest person in the world
At 94, Buffett is now the fourth-richest person in the world. He is also one of only two among the top 20 billionaires whose wealth has grown this year. The other is L’Oréal heiress Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, who added $1.8 billion to her fortune and currently ranks 19th.
In contrast, global markets have been hit hard. The 500 richest people lost over $500 billion in just two trading days following Trump’s tariff announcement. Elon Musk, though still the world’s wealthiest person, has lost $134.7 billion in 2025 alone. His net worth dropped to $297.8 billion on Monday, marking its first fall below $300 billion since November.
Shares of Buffett’s company, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., have declined 8.8% since April 2—less than the S&P 500’s 10.7% drop. This comparatively better performance reflects the relative stability of the property and casualty insurance sector, which is less affected by global trade disruptions.
Investors also believe Buffett may take advantage of the current downturn by making a major investment. While he has avoided large acquisitions recently, he has reduced Berkshire’s holdings in companies like Apple Inc. and Bank of America Corp.—both of which have seen significant stock declines since the tariffs were introduced.