Background
Susan was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and graduated from Omaha Central High School. Her father, William Thompson, was a minister, psychologist, dean at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and one-time campaign manager for Howard Buffett.
Susan was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and graduated from Omaha Central High School. Her father, William Thompson, was a minister, psychologist, dean at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and one-time campaign manager for Howard Buffett.
She was a director of Berkshire Hathaway, owning 2.2 percent (worth United States$3 billion in 2004) of the company at the time of her death. She was the 153rd richest person in the world. She was president of the Buffett Foundation, which has contributed millions of dollars to educational groups, medical research, population-control groups and other charities.
They have three children: Susan (born July 30, 1953), Howard (born December 16, 1954), and Peter (born May 4, 1958).
She occasionally performed as a cabaret singer and, in 1977, had a one-night performance at an Omaha theater. She started out living in a small apartment in Gramercy Tower on Nob Hill.
Later she moved into a large condominium on Broadway near Scott Street in Pacific Heights with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. She performed in New York and released several CDs.
According to Roger Lowenstein"s 1995 Random House biography, Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist, while Warren encouraged Susan to pursue her career in music, he was soon heartbroken by her move.
The Buffetts even signed Christmas cards Warren, Susan, and Astrid and were often seen together as a trio. In October 2003, Susan was diagnosed with oral cancer. She underwent surgery, radiation therapy and facial reconstruction.
She had recovered enough to attend the annual shareholders" meeting of Berkshire Hathaway in May 2004, leading a singalong at the Borsheim"s reception.
Susan died at the age of 72 after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage during the summer of 2004 in Cody, Wyoming. Bono performed "Forever Young" and "All I Want Is You" at her funeral.
Warren was so grief-stricken that he did not attend.
