Buffett Praises Tim Cook at Berkshire Annual Meeting

At Berkshire Hathaway's 2025 annual meeting, Warren Buffett praised Apple CEO Tim Cook for generating more financial success for Berkshire through its Apple investment than Buffett himself. Buffett noted that Berkshire's Apple stake grew from an initial $1 billion investment in 2016 to a $173 billion valuation by the end of 2023, and after selling about two-thirds in 2024, Berkshire retained 300 million shares worth approximately $62 billion. He credited Steve Jobs for founding Apple and commended his choice of Cook as a successor, emphasizing that only Cook could have led Apple to its current achievements. Tim Cook responded by expressing gratitude for Buffett's praise and voiced confidence in Berkshire's future under its incoming CEO, Greg Abel. Under Cook's leadership since 2011, Apple's stock price has soared and its market capitalization has surpassed $3 trillion, making it Berkshire’s largest single equity holding. The mutual respect between Cook and Buffett highlights Apple's pivotal role in Berkshire's financial growth.