Warren Buffett Says The Most Important Decision of Your Life Is Who You Marry – His 'Biggest Mistake' Was Letting His First Wife Leave

Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and billionaire, has some surprising advice for life’s biggest decisions. It’s not about stocks or business strategies – it’s about who you marry.

“Marry the right person,” Buffett says. “I’m serious about that. It will make more difference in your life. It will change your aspirations, all kinds of things.”

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Buffett’s own love story is pretty unconventional. He married his first wife, Susan, in 1952 and stayed married to her for over 50 years, even though they were separated for much of that time. Despite living apart, they remained close, and Buffett was by her side during her battle with cancer, even though he hated hospitals.

In his 2017 HBO documentary "Becoming Warren Buffett," he explained that “two turning points” in his life were “One when I came out of the womb and one when I met Susie." He openly credits his life’s success to her, explaining, “What happened with me would not have happened without her.” He went on to say, "Susie really put me together. She believed in me. She put me together. I would not only have turned out to be the person I turned out to be, but I would not have been as successful in business without that. She made me more of a whole person."

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Buffett has often stated that if you want a marriage to last, you should look for someone with low expectations. “If you want a marriage to last, look for someone with low expectations,” he told Fortune in 2015. It might sound a bit harsh, but Buffett’s point is that realistic expectations can lead to stronger, more enduring relationships.

In a chat with Bill Gates in 2017, Buffett emphasized how important it is to surround yourself with people who have qualities you admire, especially when it comes to your spouse. “You want to associate with people who are the kind of person you’d like to be,” he said. “And the most important person by far in that respect is your spouse.”

After Susan passed away in 2004, Buffett remarried in 2006 to Astrid Menks, a family friend for years. This unconventional arrangement shows Buffett practices what he preaches about finding the right partner, even if it doesn’t fit the traditional mold.

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Buffett’s insights on marriage go beyond just personal happiness. He believes choosing the right life partner can significantly influence personal and professional success. And he’s not alone – studies have shown that having a supportive spouse can increase your chances of success and even boost your salary.

Reflecting on his own life, Warren Buffett has been candid about his personal regrets. In his 2008 self-authorized biography written by Alice Schroeder, he admitted that his biggest mistake was allowing Susan to leave him.

“It was preventable,” Buffett confessed. “It was definitely 95% my fault. … I just wasn’t attuned enough to her, and she’d always been perfectly attuned to me. She kept me together for a lot of years. … It shouldn’t have happened.”

Research indicates that married people tend to do better economically. Men, in particular, become more productive after marriage, earning between 10% and 40% more than their single counterparts with similar education and job histories. This increased productivity is attributed to marital social norms that encourage healthy, productive behavior and wealth accumulation. 

While Buffett is known for his financial wisdom, his marriage advice might be his most valuable tip. After all, as he puts it, “Being given unconditional love is the greatest benefit you can ever get.”

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