Warren Buffett Was Married To One Woman, Lived With Another And Sent Christmas Cards Signed By All 3 – Daughter Says, 'Not A Bad Thing'

Warren Buffett's personal life has always been as intriguing as his financial empire. While he's revered as one of the greatest investors of all time, the dynamics of his relationships are a master class in redefining what a family can look like. 

Warren was married to Susan Thompson for over five decades and also had a long-term relationship with Astrid Menks. This partnership began with Susan's blessing and evolved into a uniquely harmonious arrangement.

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Warren and Susan married in 1952 and raised three children together: Susie, Howard and Peter. Their marriage was loving, but by the 1970s, Susan decided to carve her own path, moving to San Francisco to pursue her passion for singing. Despite the physical distance, the emotional connection remained intact. Susan wasn't leaving because she lacked love; she needed space to follow her dreams. Her only concern? Warren's inability to handle day-to-day life without help.

Susan turned to Astrid Menks, a friend she'd met at a local restaurant. In a 2004 interview with Charlie Rose, Susan recalled the moment she reached out: "I called Astrid and said, ‘Astrid, will you take Warren, make him some soup, go over there and look after him? Because he's not going to make it.'" What started as an act of kindness became something much more significant. Astrid eventually moved in with Warren in 1978, creating a bond that would last decades. Meanwhile, Warren and Susan remained married, sharing holidays, special occasions and a deep understanding of each other.

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The arrangement might sound complicated to outsiders, but for the Buffetts, it worked. Their daughter Susie put it plainly in the 2017 Becoming Warren Buffett HBO Documentary: "Astrid's been part of the family for a long time, so it just evolved into something that for us was kind of normal. Nobody was being hurt and everybody was happy." 

That harmony extended into the holidays when the three would send out Christmas cards signed, "Warren, Susie and Astrid." It wasn't just a gesture – it was a reflection of how genuine their connections were. "I don't know that it would work for many people, but it worked for my parents and her," Susie explained.

Susan's passing in 2004 marked the end of an era, but not before she and Warren reaffirmed their bond in her final years. He spent every weekend by her side as she faced her illness, showing the depth of their love even as their lives had taken such unconventional turns. Two years later, Warren married Astrid in a quiet civil ceremony, continuing the partnership that had begun decades earlier.

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Reflecting on her father's unique relationships, Susie offered a perspective that cuts through societal norms. In an interview with The New York Times in 2006, she stated: "Unconventional is not bad. More people should have unconventional marriages." 

For the Buffetts, this wasn't about defying tradition for its sake. It was about creating a dynamic that brought happiness to everyone involved.

Warren Buffett's story is often told in numbers and deals. Still, his personal life tells a different tale – one of understanding, mutual respect and the willingness to embrace what works, even if it looks a little unusual to the outside world. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best arrangements are the ones you can't quite explain but feel right anyway. 

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