Every Thanksgiving, I think about two things: gratitude and alignment. Gratitude for what we have, and alignment with where we’re headed — as individuals, as families, and as stewards of our resources. This year, Warren Buffett’s Thanksgiving letter hit me differently. It wasn’t just another message from one of the greatest investors of all time; it was a blueprint for how families can think more intentionally about wealth, purpose, and legacy.
Buffett is stepping away from Berkshire Hathaway’s iconic marathon annual meetings and from writing the famed yearly shareholder letter. But he chose to keep writing a Thanksgiving note — a message not about returns or quarterly numbers, but about meaning. That alone is worth reflecting on.
Buffett officially reinforces Greg Abel as his successor, emphasizing something many families overlook: succession is not a dramatic event, it’s a disciplined process. As someone who works closely with family businesses and multigenerational wealth, I see this often — the strongest families don’t wait for a crisis to identify who will lead next. They prepare thoughtfully, communicate openly, and focus on continuity rather than control.
This is the same mindset I encourage in my clients: prepare the next generation before they need to act. Buffett models that perfectly.
One of the most striking elements of the letter is his $1.3 billion donation this year alone, gifted to four family foundations run by his children. He’s not just giving money; he’s giving responsibility, freedom, and trust.
For the women I advise — especially those inheriting assets or navigating transitions — this is a powerful reminder: estate planning isn’t only about documents. It’s about values, timing, and empowering your heirs while you’re still here to guide them.
Buffett is showing his children the impact of capital, not just leaving them capital.
Buffett openly credits his success to factors he didn’t choose: being born in the right place, with health, in an era of opportunity. As a Latina advisor who works with diverse families across borders, this resonates deeply with me. Wealth is never just the result of skill — it’s also circumstance, access, and environment.
Recognizing the role of luck doesn’t diminish achievements; it makes us better stewards of what we have.
Buffett reminds shareholders that Berkshire stock could drop 50% “at any time” and still remain strong. This is the mindset families need in volatile times: resilience over reaction.
In my RIA practice, I often tell clients: A temporary decline is not a permanent loss. Buffett just put it in classic Buffett terms.
His closing line focuses on choosing the right heroes and practicing simple kindness. After working with 1,200+ families, I can tell you this: the families who thrive across generations are the ones that invest in communication, empathy, and shared purpose — the “human capital” that compounds faster than money.
If Buffett’s letter teaches us anything, it’s this: wealth is a tool, but legacy is a choice. And that choice is made every day — not just in markets, but in families, conversations, and values.
If you’d like help aligning your wealth with your mission for the next generation, I’m here to guide the way.
