Billionaire investor Warren Buffett, 96, told fellow billionaire Bill Ackman that he has not drunk water in 48 years. Ackman repeated the remark on the Equity Mates Investing podcast.
Ackman, founder and chief executive of Pershing Square, said Buffett came to dinner at his home several years ago. Ackman had stocked Cherry Coke, Buffett’s favourite drink. At the table, he offered Buffett still or sparkling water but Buffett declined and asked for the soda.
Ackman asked whether he never drank water. He said Buffett replied: “Bill, I haven’t had water in 48 years.”
Ackman did not give Business Insider more detail about Buffett’s habits. Neither report includes a comment from Buffett. The claim rests on Ackman’s account.
Buffett drinks about five cans of Coca-Cola a day. In 2015, he said the drink supplies about 25 per cent of his daily calories. At Berkshire Hathaway’s 1986 annual meeting, he said he would switch to Cherry Coke after 48 years of loyalty to Pepsi. He also eats McDonald’s, hot dogs, fries, popcorn, cookies and ice cream.
His taste in food matches his investments. Berkshire Hathaway owns See’s Candies and Dairy Queen. It also holds about 9 per cent of Coca-Cola. That stake cost about $1.3 billion and was worth about $28 billion at the end of December.
Warren Buffett led Berkshire for 60 years. He stepped down as chief executive on 31 December 2025, and Greg Abel took over on 1 January 2026. On 18 September 2026, Warren gave up the chairmanship after 56 years and became chairman emeritus. His son, Howard G. Buffett, replaced him as chairman.
Buffett told shareholders: “Greg runs the company; Howard will guard its culture and values.” He remains on the board and is still Berkshire’s largest shareholder, with holdings worth about $145 billion.
