Berkshire Hathaway pays Warren Buffett a $100,000 annual salary, technically speaking. For the past 25 years, his salary has remained the same, but his other benefits have fluctuated with the stock market, particularly with the value of Berkshire Hathaway. His substantial wealth, valued at approximately $66.6 billion in 2014, was created by smart investing. Shares of his investment company, Berkshire Hathaway, are publicly traded on the stock market and available to any investor who can afford them. Warren Buffett is a substantial owner of Berkshire Hathaway and continues to be directly involved in running the company. He makes investment decisions for the organization on a regular basis, while also conducting other projects outside of the company, including philanthropy.

Warren Buffet has dedicated a significant portion of his estate to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He has a strong interest in philanthropy and has encouraged others to follow in his stead and contribute to the organization's cause of improving health and education. Encouraging higher estate taxes, Warren Buffett has committed himself to giving away most of his wealth rather than allowing his heirs to inherit all of his investments. Instead, modest amounts of Berkshire Hathaway stock and real estate investments have been or will be given to Buffett's children and other heirs. Buffett's estate has already been divided. He continues to make other investments through Berkshire Hathaway and continues to benefit from gains in share prices and the results of wise investing and planning.