Susan Buffett: Difference between revisions
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Warren had planned to leave his entire estate to Susan, but she passed away before him. Warren was with Susan when she died. |
Warren had planned to leave his entire estate to Susan, but she passed away before him. Warren was with Susan when she died. |
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The Buffetts never divorced and even attended public functions as husband and wife though they hadn't lived together for more than half of their marriage. The Buffetts even signed Christmas cards Warren, Susan, and Astrid.<ref name="lowenstein">{{cite book | last=Lowenstein | first=Roger | title=Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist |
The Buffetts never divorced and even attended public functions as husband and wife though they hadn't lived together for more than half of their marriage. The Buffetts even signed Christmas cards Warren, Susan, and Astrid.<ref name="lowenstein">{{cite book | last=Lowenstein | first=Roger | title=Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist | isbn= 0812979273 | publisher=Random House}}</ref> and were often seen together as a trio. |
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Following Susan's death, Warren married Astrid Menks. |
Following Susan's death, Warren married Astrid Menks. |
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Revision as of 05:48, 6 May 2009
Susan Buffett | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 15, 1932 |
| Died | July 29, 2004 (aged 72) |
| Occupation(s) | singer, businessperson, activist, philanthropist |
| Spouse | Warren Buffett |
| Children | Susan Alice Buffett, Howard Graham Buffett, Peter Buffett |
| Parent | William Thompson |
Susan Thompson Buffett (June 15, 1932 – July 29, 2004) was active in civil rights, abortion rights and population-control causes; as well as the late wife of investor Warren Buffett. She was a director of Berkshire Hathaway owning 2.2 percent of shares (worth $3 billion) of the company [1]. She was president of the Buffett Foundation, which has contributed millions of dollars to educational groups, medical research, population-control groups and other charities.
Biography
Susan was born in Omaha, Nebraska. Her father, William Thompson, was a dean at the University of Omaha.
Though her parents and Warren's knew one another, they met at Northwestern University, via Susan's roommate Roberta Buffett, Warren's sister.
Susan left Northwestern before graduating, and she and Warren married in 1952. They have three children: Susan Alice (30 Jul 53), Howard Graham Buffett (16 Dec 54), and Peter Buffett (4 May 58) [2].
She occasionally performed as a cabaret singer and, in 1977, had a one-night performance at an Omaha theater. Encouraged by songwriter/musician Neil Sedaka to pursue a singing career,[3] she left her husband and moved to San Francisco. She remained married and on good terms with her husband, vacationing together and spending time assisting charitable groups. She performed in New York and released several CDs [citation needed]. According to Roger Lowenstein's 1995 Random House biography, Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist, Warren was heartbroken by her move [4].
In 1978, Susan introduced her husband to Astrid Menks[5], who eventually moved in with Warren in their Omaha home.
Warren had planned to leave his entire estate to Susan, but she passed away before him. Warren was with Susan when she died.
The Buffetts never divorced and even attended public functions as husband and wife though they hadn't lived together for more than half of their marriage. The Buffetts even signed Christmas cards Warren, Susan, and Astrid.[6] and were often seen together as a trio.
Following Susan's death, Warren married Astrid Menks.
Oral Cancer and Stroke Death
In October 2003, Mrs. Buffett was diagnosed with mouth cancer; she underwent surgery, radiation therapy and facial reconstruction. With Warren she later contributed $6 million to five California doctors for the study of mouth cancer. She had recovered enough to attend the annual shareholders' meeting of Berkshire Hathaway in May, leading singalongs at cocktail parties [4].
Susan died at the age of 72 after suffering a stroke during the summer of 2004. Bono performed "Forever Young" and "All I Want Is You" at her funeral.
References
- ^ O'Reilly - Safari Books Online - 9780470152621 - Warren Buffett Speaks: Wit and Wisdom from the World's Greatest Investor
- ^ Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of David Thompson b. 1774, Ireland d. 1859 Ohio
- ^ Wife's death puts the spotlight on Buffett empire - Times Online
- ^ a b Susan T. Buffett, 72, Dies; Wife of Billionaire Investor (washingtonpost.com)
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/01/business/01buffett.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
- ^ Lowenstein, Roger. Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist. Random House. ISBN 0812979273.