Warren Buffett, the 94-year-old Berkshire Hathaway CEO, stood by his consumption of fast food and sugary drinks during the company's annual shareholder meeting on Saturday. He pointed to his age as evidence that his diet, which includes large amounts of Coca-Cola and junk food, has not hindered his longevity.
Seated with cans of Coca-Cola and a box of See's Candies nearby, Buffett addressed his long-standing eating habits. He noted that despite warnings about soda consumption, it appeared to have little adverse effect on him or his business partner, Charlie Munger, who lived to 99.
Buffett recounted that he and Munger did not engage in extensive exercise, joking that they focused instead on "preserving" themselves.
He contrasted this approach with the physical demands placed on professional athletes, suggesting that avoiding rigorous exercise might prevent wear and tear on the body over time.
Buffett's diet regularly includes McDonald's for breakfast, multiple cans of Coca-Cola daily, and frequent indulgence in Dairy Queen ice cream. Other favorites include hot dogs, fries, popcorn, cookies, and candy.
His investment portfolio reflects his tastes, with Coca-Cola and Kraft Heinz representing two of Berkshire's largest holdings. The company also owns businesses like See's Candies and Dairy Queen outright. Buffett recently announced plans to step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.
He attributed part of his longevity and overall well-being to finding happiness, which for him includes enjoying his preferred foods and drinks.
“I think happiness makes an enormous amount of difference in terms of longevity,” Buffett said in a 2023 interview. “And I'm happier when I'm drinking Coke or eating hot fudge sundaes or hot dogs.”