After stepping down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway last month, 96-year-old Warren Buffett has officially entered retirement. Instead of travelling the globe, the billionaire is spending his evenings in front of a screen streaming Uzbekistan’s version of America’s Got Talent on YouTube.
With a net worth of $143bn, the famed investor handed the CEO position to Greg Abel in January and the chairmanship to his son, Howard, in September. Now his schedule is completely his own.
Sharon Osberg, a close friend who often visits the retired financier, told the Wall Street Journal that his viewing habits are remarkably broad and often encompass «the silliest things.»
Streaming Central Asian talent
While younger generations scroll through short-form algorithmic content, international entertainment actively captivates Buffett’s attention. Uzbekistan’s adaptation of the global talent competition franchise has become a surprising staple of his nightly routine.
His broader eclectic digital diet also includes vintage 1950s television adverts, a documentary covering attorney Roy Cohn and clips featuring actress Glenn Close.
This streaming habit marks a notable digital shift for a man historically reluctant to embrace modern technology. Despite being a major Apple investor, Buffett famously waited until his late eighties to trade his traditional flip phone for a smartphone.
His current YouTube fixation follows a lifelong commitment to separating his personal time from corporate strategy. During his peak earning years, he dedicated approximately 80% of his working day to reading and challenged others to consume 500 pages daily to build knowledge like compound interest.
When stepping away from business entirely, he previously spent up to eight hours a week playing bridge with associates, including Bill Gates. He viewed the card game as an enduring intellectual challenge, noting a player could see a new hand every seven minutes for the rest of their life.
The 96-year-old’s lifelong pursuit of work-life balance mirrors modern workplace trends. A 2025 Randstad report found that Generation Z professionals now prioritise personal time over salary. Buffett, who reached millionaire status at 32, has long advised students to pursue careers they would happily perform without financial compensation.
