Warren Buffett Transformed His Omaha Neighbor's $67,000 Nest Egg Into Estimated $120 Million Fortune — 'It Mushroomed Like An Atomic Bomb'

In 1965, Rabbi Myer Kripke and his wife, Dorothy, had built a $67,000 nest egg–about $650,000 today–through years of saving and a modest inheritance. Like many middle-class couples, they were focused on securing their retirement.

But unlike most people, they had Warren Buffett as a neighbor and friend—a connection that would change their financial future forever.

"Myer, Invest the Money With Your Friend Warren"

According to Myer's 2014 obituary by The New York Times, the Kripkes first met Buffett through Rotary Club meetings, bridge games, and holiday gatherings. By the mid-1960s, Buffett was gaining a reputation as a skilled investor, though he was still far from the global financial icon he would become.

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Dorothy saw an opportunity. "Myer, invest the money with your friend Warren," she urged her husband.

But Myer hesitated. Buffett's firm typically required a minimum investment of $150,000 to $200,000—far more than what they had. Reflecting on his doubts in a 1997 interview with The Times, Kripke recalled telling his wife:

"He doesn't want the kind of money we have."

Dorothy didn't back down. She reminded him that Buffett wasn't just an investor—he was their friend. After two years of debating, Myer finally approached Buffett, unsure if he would accept their investment.

Buffett didn't hesitate. "I liked Myer," he later said.

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From $67,000 to Over $120 Million

That decision paid off in a way the Kripkes never imagined. By the mid-1990s, their investment had grown to over $25 million — equivalent to about $50 million today after adjusting for inflation, according to The Times. 

Looking back, Myer described the staggering growth in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer. "It mushroomed like an atomic bomb."

If the Kripkes' Berkshire Hathaway BRK BRK.B))  investment was worth $25 million in 1997, it would have been worth approximately $122.8 million in 2014, based on the stock's price increase from $46,000 per share in 1997 to $226,000 per share in 2014.

Today, that same investment, if shares were not sold, would be worth approximately $559 million, given Berkshire's continued growth.

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Living Simply, Giving Generously

Despite their newfound wealth, the Kripkes never changed their lifestyle. They continued living in a three-bedroom Omaha apartment for $900 a month, and Myer remained a synagogue rabbi, earning no more than $30,000 a year.

In an interview with The Times, Kripke recalled his wife asking if he wanted a better car. His response was simple: "There's nothing wrong with a Chevrolet."

Instead of spending lavishly, they gave most of their fortune away. Their most significant donation was $7 million to the Jewish Theological Seminary, helping restore a fire-damaged tower. They later pledged another $8 million to the school.

Buffett, who has always promoted giving away wealth, admired Kripke's approach. He once said: "I wanted people who, if it went bad, we could still be friends."

Fortunately for both men, it didn't go bad—it became one of the greatest investment success stories of all time.

See Also: Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? The percentage may shock you.

Lessons for Investors Today

The Kripkes' story isn't just about luck—it's about trusting the right investor, having patience, and thinking long-term. The key takeaways?

• Invest early in strong opportunities.
• Don't let fear hold you back—Myer hesitated for years before taking the plunge.
• Pick the right people—Buffett only wanted investors he could stay friends with, win or lose.
• Money doesn't have to change you—the Kripkes lived modestly and gave back.

Few will get the chance to invest with Buffett himself, but his long-term investing philosophy still applies today. With patience and the right strategy, anyone can turn a smart investment into lasting wealth.

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