Susan Buffett

Infobox Person
name = Susan Buffett


image_size =
caption =
birth_date = birth date|1932|6|15|
birth_place = Omaha, Nebraska, USA
death_date = death date and age|2004|7|29|1932|6|15|
death_place = Cody, Wyoming, USA
occupation = singer, businessperson, activist, philanthropist
spouse = Warren Buffett
parents = William Thompson
children = Susan Alice Buffett, Howard Graham Buffett, Peter Buffett

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 [ [http://safari.oreilly.com/9780470152621/ch03lev1sec3 O'Reilly - Safari Books Online - 9780470152621 - Warren Buffett Speaks: Wit and Wisdom from the World's Greatest Investor ] ] . 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 parents knew one another, it was while studying at Northwestern University that Susan was introduced to Warren Buffett—by her roommate Roberta Buffett, Warren's sister. Susan did not graduate. Susan and Warren married in 1952 and had three children: [http://beginnersinvest.about.com/library/titans/nwarrenphoto3.htm Susan Alice] (30 Jul 53), Howard Graham Buffett (16 Dec 54), and Peter Buffett (4 May 58) [ [http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/t/h/o/Daniel-J-Thompson/GENE9-0007.html Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of David Thompson b. 1774, Ireland d. 1859 Ohio ] ] .

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, [ http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article464196.ece Wife's death puts the spotlight on Buffett empire - Times Online ] ] she left Warren and moved to San Francisco. They remained married and on good terms, vacationing together and spending time assisting charitable groups. She performed in New York and released several CDs Fact|date=January 2008. According to Roger Lowenstein's 1995 Random House biography, Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist, her husband was heartbroken by her move [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26094-2004Jul29.html Susan T. Buffett, 72, Dies; Wife of Billionaire Investor (washingtonpost.com) ] ] .

In 1978, Susan introduced Warren to Latvian Astrid Menks [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/01/business/01buffett.html?_r=1&oref=slogin] , who eventually moved in with Warren in their Omaha home. Susan met Astrid because Astrid seated patrons at the restaurant she sang in. On the afternoon of August 30, 2006—Warren's 76th birthday—Warren and 60-year-old Astrid married in a 15-minute ceremony at daughter Susan Alice's home. Only Susan Alice and Astrid's sister were present [ [http://marriage.about.com/od/entrepreneurs/p/warrenbuffett.htm Warren Buffett and Astrid Menks Marriage Profile ] ] .

The two remained close and they were often seen together in public. Warren had planned to leave his entire estate to his beloved wife but she passed away before him. Buffett was with Susan when she died.

The Buffetts never divorced and even attended public functions as husband and wife even though they hadn't lived together for more than half of their marriage. The Buffetts even signed Christmas cards Warren, Susan, and Astrid.

Oral Cancer and Stroke Death

In October 2003, Mrs. Buffett was diagnosed with mouth cancer,and 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 [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26094-2004Jul29.html Susan T. Buffett, 72, Dies; Wife of Billionaire Investor (washingtonpost.com) ] ] .

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

External links

* [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26094-2004Jul29.html Susan T. Buffett, 72, Dies; Wife of Billionaire Investor] (Washington Post)