At 93, billionaire investor Warren Buffett has built more than just a financial empire—he’s maintained a 72-year marriage with his late wife, Susan. In a rare personal reflection, the Berkshire Hathaway CEO shared his unconventional yet profound advice on choosing a life partner, proving his wisdom extends far beyond Wall Street.
Buffett’s Counterintuitive Dating Formula
“You’re not looking for someone who’ll love you,” Buffett revealed at a recent shareholders meeting. “You’re looking for someone who’ll never stop loving the person you’re becoming.”
His three-part framework for evaluating partners:
- The 25-Year Test
“Imagine this person two decades from now. Will they still fascinate you when they’re no longer ‘new’?” - The Crisis Litmus Test
“Watch how they handle bad news. That’s who they really are.” - The Mirror Principle
“The right partner doesn’t complete you—they make you want to complete yourself.”
Why Most People Choose Wrong (And How to Do Better)
Buffett argues our dating mistakes mirror poor investment habits:
- Chasing ‘Hot Stocks’: Prioritizing chemistry over character
- Ignoring Fundamentals: Overlooking values alignment
- Short-Term Thinking: Focusing on how relationships start rather than how they endure
“Marriage isn’t buying a stock—it’s acquiring a permanent stake in a private company,” he quipped.
The One Trait That Predicts Marital Success
After studying hundreds of Berkshire’s family-owned businesses, Buffett noticed:
“The couples who thrive share one thing—they’re more invested in their partner’s growth than their own comfort.”
He cites his second wife Astrid (whom he married after Susan’s passing) as someone who embodies this principle.
Practical Steps From the Billionaire Matchmaker
- The Buffett Date Night Formula
- Alternate planning responsibilities monthly
- Always include one activity that scares you slightly
- Financial Transparency Early
“If you can’t discuss money openly, you’re not ready for forever.” - The ‘No Complaining’ Rule
“Griping about your partner to others is like shorting your own stock.”
What Neuroscience Says About Buffett’s Approach
Relationship researchers confirm Buffett’s instincts:
- Partners who actively admire each other have 3x lower divorce rates
- Couples that embrace change together maintain stronger bonds
- Financial harmony is the #1 predictor of marital longevity
The Ultimate Buffett Test
“Ask yourself: If this person lost everything tomorrow—their looks, money, status—would I still feel lucky to wake up beside them?”
For a man who turned 10,000into10,000into100 billion, this may be his most valuable calculation yet.
