Wealthy Buffett

On February 11 2008, Warren Buffett was declared by Forbes magazine as the richest person on the planet, with an estimated net worth of $62 billion. But unlike other super rich CEOs who live in immense luxury, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway lived a relatively very simple life. He does not upgrade his lifestyle; today he still lives in the house he bought in 1958 for $31,500. This guy is also the world's biggest philanthropist; a title he carried two years ago when he announced that he would give his multi-billion fortune to charity, with 83% of it going to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. When he donated his money, however, being an agnostic, he said, "There is more than one way to get to heaven, but this is a great way."

Despite what the critics say about his motives behind the donation, it is hard to argue he is a humble man, and that humility saves him from trouble (one is reminded of Tyco and Enron bosses, for example). Buffett once quipped:

Of the billionnaires I have know, money just brings brings out the basic traits in them. If they were jerks before they had money, they are simply jerks with a billion dollars.

On the other hand however it is precisely that self-morality and self-righteousness that will lose him his soul. "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26)