Warren Buffett has emerged as one of the few billionaires to post gains this year as market volatility triggered by new US trade tariffs erases trillions in global equity value.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Buffett’s net worth increased by $11.5 billion this year to $153.5 billion despite a $14.5 billion decline since April 2, when his fortune hit a five-year peak.
The 94-year-old investor is now ranked the fourth-richest person in the world.
Buffett is one of only two individuals among the top 20 richest people to record a net gain in 2025. The other is Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the L’Oreal SA heiress who added $1.8 billion and currently ranks 19th.
In sharp contrast, Elon Musk remains the world’s richest person but has seen his fortune fall to $297.8 billion, the first time his net worth has dropped below $300 billion since November.
Musk has lost $134.7 billion this year as global markets reacted to President Donald Trump’s tariff escalation.
The market downturn wiped more than $500 billion from the collective wealth of the world’s 500 richest people in just two trading sessions following Trump’s announcement.
The S&P 500 has declined 10.7 percent since April 2 while shares of Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc fell by 8.8 percent over the same period.
Despite the decline in Berkshire’s stock, its comparative resilience has helped cushion Buffett’s overall wealth.
The company’s strong positioning in the property and casualty insurance sector remains largely insulated from global trade disruptions.
Analysts also believe that Buffett’s conservative approach during the recent bull market cycle may have positioned him to capitalize on the current downturn.
In recent quarters he has avoided large acquisitions and reduced holdings in high-growth firms like Apple Inc and Bank of America Corp both of which have seen sharp double-digit declines since the latest tariffs were announced.
Berkshire Hathaway’s cash-heavy balance sheet has placed Buffett in a strategic position to pursue potential acquisitions should valuations continue to fall.
As billionaire wealth undergoes a historic shake-up, Buffett’s disciplined strategy and diversified portfolio continue to set him apart amid global economic uncertainty.
