Omaha, Nebraska – Renowned investor Warren Buffett’s 2017 HBO documentary “Becoming Warren Buffett” revealed a lesser-known side of the financial mogul, showcasing his rebellious youth and early forays into the stock market. At age 93, Buffett is often seen as a wise figure dispensing life and investment advice, but the documentary sheds light on his youthful indiscretions, including instances of shoplifting and challenging his teachers by betting against their retirement stock.
Buffett’s youthful rebellion was rooted in his dissatisfaction with moving from Omaha, Nebraska, to Washington, D.C. At the age of 12 or 13, after the move, he expressed his discontent by taking pleasure in tormenting his teachers and shorting the stock of the company in which they had invested for their retirement. This early display of his genius in the stock market, though it caused unease among his teachers, was an indication of his future success as a shrewd investor.
The documentary also revealed how Buffett engaged with AT&T Inc. as the head of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. In the third quarter of 2015, Berkshire Hathaway bought a significant stake in AT&T, but their investment strategy rapidly evolved as they sold off their stake in the company over the next two quarters.
Buffett’s early bet against AT&T and his later investment decisions demonstrate his deep understanding and evolving strategies in the stock market. From a young age, Buffett displayed a keen interest in stocks and investments, a trait that would define his career and contribute to his reputation as one of the most successful investors of all time. This revelation provided a unique insight into Buffett’s early years and how it shaped his future in the world of finance.