Warren Buffett

(http://international-business.ezinemark.com/warren-buffetts-most-profitable-investments-7736fab7e714.html ())

Imagine having 44 billion dollars. Warren Buffett doesn't have to imagine having 44 billion dollars because it's already his. He is arguably the most intelligent investor in America. Even from a young age he showed an interest and ability in the financial world. At the age of 10, he played the stocks at his father's firm which earned him a profit of 5 dollars per investment. Buffett is now one of the largest shareholders of companies like Coca-Cola, Gillette, Kraft, UPS, and American Express among other large corporations. He has a year after year record of amazing returns for the shareholders of his holding company Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Warren Buffett is named a hero because he is a charitable man, he is hard working, and he is intelligent.  

(http://luxedb.com/warren-buffett-his-life-story/warren-buffett-and-bill-gates/ ())

A charitable person is someone who is generous with their money and donates it to a cause they believe in. Warren Buffett fits this definition because he has always donated to charities. In 2006, "Buffett announced that he would pledge an annual gift of stock to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as long as either Bill or Melinda Gates remained involved in directing the foundations activities" (Newsmakers 1995). His donations to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation show that he is a charitable man. This is a great characteristic a hero could have because he cares about others. He is a deserving hero because he helps many people with his large amounts of money by donating to charitable organizations. "Philanthropy is important to Buffett. He donated $200 million to charities including those which supported population control and reproductive rights such as Planned Parenthood" (Newsmakers 1995). His care for real life problems and the money he gives to help show that he is a man who finds joy in helping people. He is not selfish and stuck up like most people who possess large sums of money. His philanthropy shows that he takes pride in the betterment of mankind.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_League)

As well as being a charitable man, Buffett is also hard working. "Having graduated from the University of Nebraska with a B.S. but rejected by Harvard Business School, he moved to New York to study at Columbia University where he graduated with a master's in economics" (Lowenstein 1996). Warren Buffett is obviously a man who is very determined to succeed in life. His acceptance to a prestigious university shows that he is hard working and has a mindset to accomplish the most he can in his lifetime. His hard working personality makes me view him as a hero because this is a crucial trait all heroes should have. "By the age of 14 the young Buffett had already accumulated enough money to buy 40 acres of farmland. He took on five paper routes at once, delivering a staggering 500 papers each morning and earning the equivalent of a man's full-time salary of $175. He had earned $1,200-enough to enable him to buy 40 acres of farmland in Nebraska and rent it out for farming. Now in his seventies, he is a multibillionaire - though not one to flaunt his wealth" (Lowenstein 1996). From an early age, Buffett knew what he wanted and worked hard for it. The amount of newspapers he delivered shows how hard working he is. He is not afraid of manual labor, even though his wealth and social status implies that a person like him would not favor it.

(http://www.therichest.org/business/berkshire-hathaway-net-income-2011/ ())

Warren Buffett is also an intelligent individual. "His conservative approach to portfolio management turned a rundown textile company, Berkshire Hathaway, into a huge holding company that invested in everything from insurance to soft drinks, and gained him the nickname "Oracle of Omaha" (Lowenstein 1996). The way he turned a failing company into a prosperous company shows that he is very intelligent and he has dedicated most of his life to building the empire he has today. Buffett is a hero in my eyes because he has amazed me by making me believe that hard work and perseverance can conquer many of your problems. "After another business foray in high school, installing overhauled arcade games in barbershops" (Lowenstein 1996).  Buffett's investment in arcade games and putting them in barbershops show that he is intelligent. He thought outside of the box and knew that the idea would be profitable and would bring in money. Bringing together two totally different businesses like video games and barber shops is a unique business gamble and ultimately shows his brilliance.

(http://blogs.reuters.com/oddly-enough/2008/05/05/super-rich-guy-in-good-humor/ ())

Warren Buffett is my deserving hero because of his hardworking characteristic, his brilliance, and his generous heart. Being hardworking is very important in life because it can bring you far and high up in society, as well as doing your best in school to aid you in your future careers. But most importantly being generous and showing people you care and you're there for them is the best way to bring down barriers that might be in the way of your dreams. If you have a goal in life, persevere and work hard for what you want. Who knows, maybe one day you might be 44 billion dollars richer.