Somebody Just Paid $27 Million to Have Lunch with Billionaire Warren Buffett

By Sam Mangioni - News Published: 20 Jun 2022, Last Updated: 13 Jun 2023

What’s the most you’ve ever paid for lunch? Regardless of the amount, we can guarantee it won’t top this. Following a 43-round bidding war on eBay, one anonymous buyer has paid USD$19 million (AUD$27 million) to share a meal with billionaire Warren Buffett. For that amount of cash, you’d assume the business magnate would be open to looking at your CumRocket Explosion: Cryptocurrency Surges 350% After Elon Musk Joins In portfolio. However, don’t expect any stock tips from the 91-year-old.

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Image: Dave Weaver/AP

Titled the Power Lunch with Warren Buffett, the proceeds of the event will benefit Glide, a San Francisco-based charity organisation dedicated to helping the poor, homeless or those battling substance abuse. Glide offers meals, HIV and hepatitis C tests, shelter, job training and children’s programs.

A brainchild of Buffett’s late wife Susie in 2000, this year’s lunch marks the 21st, and final time he will join forces with Glide. Over two decades, the financial guru has raised more than USD$53.2 million for the non-profit. “It’s been nothing but good,” Buffett said in a statement. “I’ve met a lot of interesting people from all over the world. The one universal characteristic is that they feel the money is going to be put to very good uses.

As you’d expect, this year’s lunch was eBay’most expensive item ever sold for charity, with the previous record held by TRON founder and crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun who purchased the Power Lunch in 2019 for USD$4.57 million.

The lunch will take place at Smith & Wollensky steakhouse in Manhatten, with the winning bidder allowed to bring up to seven guests. Buffett is up to talk about almost anything, but he won’t reveal where he’s planning on investing in the future. According to previous winners, the Columbia Business School graduate enjoys his steak rare with hashbrowns and drinks cherry coke. Additionally, it’s rumoured he asks for extra spoons to taste everyone’s desserts.

Sam Mangioni

Sam Mangioni is an experienced content producer and the current Entertainment, Culture & Lifestyle Journalist for Man of Many. With an extensive background in digital content production and news, Sam specialises in delivering timely, accurate and witty assessments of current events. Prior to working for Man of Many, Sam spent three years at Southern Cross Austereo where he served as a Content Producer and News Reporter for the flagship Triple M Breakfast Program. The Sydney-based reporter completed a Bachelor of Commerce from Macquarie University Majoring in Marketing in 2014. Sam's work has also featured in Fight News Australia.

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