Warren Buffett and Astrid Menks Marriage Profile

On his 76th birthday, Warren Buffett married his companion of many years, Astrid Menks in an unpretentious and brief wedding ceremony. Here's information about Warren's unusal first marriage, children, and more.

Warren Edward Buffett: August 30, 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Astrid Menks: Born in Latvia.

Warren and Astrid were introduced to one another by Warren's wife, Susan. Susan and Astrid became friends after meeting at a restaurant in Omaha where Astrid's job was to seat patrons.

Warren was 76 years old; Astrid was 60 years old.

Wedding Date:

Formalizing their twenty year relationship with one another, Astrid and Warren's wedding ceremony on the afternoon of August 30, 2006 was a brief civil ceremony held at the Omaha, Nebraska home of Warren's daughter, Susie. Warren purchased Astrid's wedding ring at Borsheim's Fine Jewelry in Omaha. His daughter helped him decide on which ring to buy.

The ceremony lasted 15 minutes and was performed by a local judge. Witnesses to the marriage were Susie Buffett and Astrid's sister.

Warren and Astrid celebrated by going to dinner at Bonefish Grill with Susie.

Warren and Susan Buffett had three children.

• Susie Buffett: Born in 1952 in Omaha, Nebraska.
• Howard Graham Buffett: Born in 1954 in Omaha, Nebraska. Howard is an author, politician, and businessman. He and his wife Devon have five children.
• Peter Andrew Buffett: Born in 1958 in Omaha, Nebraska. Peter is a composer, musician and producer.

Warren had one previous marriage.

• Susan Thompson: Susan was born on June 15, 1932 in Omaha, Nebraska. Warren and Susan were introduced to one another by Warren's sister Roberta Buffett who was Susan's roommate at Northwestern University. Susan and Warren Buffett were married in April 1952. Since 1977 Susan and Warren Buffett lived apart. She moved to San Francisco to work on her singing career and to have some space to herself. Susan and Warren remained friends and even vacationed together at times. In an interview with Charlie Rose, Susan called herself a "geriatric gypsy" and shared her unconditional love for Warren.

Susan approved of Warren's relationship with Astrid. Gifts to Warren's friends and acquaintances often included notes signed by Warren, Susan, and Astrid.

Susan died at the age of 72 on July 29, 2004 after suffering a stroke. She was in Cody, Wyoming at the time of her death. Warren was with Susan when she died.

Comments about Warren by Susan: "Best thing I could give his was unconditional love and I have ... I don't know if anyone was ever more loved than me ... There's no finer human being than he is ... We were two parallel lines ... I was an enabler for him ... When I was sick [with cancer] he came out to see me 26 weekends in a row."
Source: Charlie Rose. "A remembrance of philanthropist Susan Thompson Buffett." CharlieRose.com. 7/29/2004.

Warren and Astrid live in a home Warren bought in Omaha, Nebraska in 1958 for around $31,000. He probably spent a bit more on his summer home in Laguna Beach, California.

Occupations:

Warren Buffett: Businessman and philanthropist.

Pamela Paul: "Mr. Buffett separated from his wife, Susan, in 1977 but remained married to her until her death in 2004. All the while, he lived with Astrid Menks; they married in 2006. The threesome remained close, even sending out holiday cards signed, 'Warren, Susan and Astrid.'”
Source: Pamela Paul. "The Un-Divorced." NYTimes.com. 7/30/2010.

Warren: "Susie put me together, and Astrid keeps me together."
Source: Barbara Kiviat. "Warren Buffett Tells All: The Women in His Life." Time.com. 9/23/2008.

Susie Buffett, Warren's daughter, about Astrid: "She has been with my father all these years for all the right reasons. I'm so thankful. She loves him and takes care of him. If Warren didn't have a cent, she'd be with him."
Source: New York Times

Susan Buffett, Warren's first wife, about Astrid: "She takes great care of him, and he appreciates it and I appreciate it. She's a wonderful person."
Source: New York Times

Joshua Kennon about Susan and Warren Buffett's marriage after their separation: "Warren was absolutely devastated; throughout his life, Susie had been 'the sunshine and rain in my [his] garden.' The two remained close, speaking every day, taking their annual two-week New York trip, and meeting the kids at their California Beach house for Christmas get-togethers. The transition was hard for the businessman, but he eventually grew somewhat accustomed to the new arrangement."
Source: Investing for Beginners at About.com