At the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, Warren Buffett announced his upcoming retirement as CEO, a momentous event that captured global attention. Yet amid the fanfare, the legendary investor also shared a meaningful cultural recommendation. Buffett urged attendees and viewers to watch Becoming Katharine Graham, a documentary streaming on Amazon Prime since February, which chronicles the life and career of the iconic publisher of The Washington Post.
Buffett called the film “fascinating” and emphasized its historical significance, stating that “every American citizen ought to watch it.” He noted that even though he lived through many of the events covered, the documentary included revelations that were new to him. The film explores Graham’s leadership during landmark moments in U.S. history, including the publication of the Pentagon Papers and the exposure of the Watergate scandal.
Although Buffett appears in the film, he clarified that he has no financial interest in it. His inclusion stems from his longtime friendship with Graham and his role as a major investor in The Washington Post Company. Their relationship goes back decades. Buffett, who delivered The Washington Post as a teenager in Washington, D.C., made a significant $11 million investment in the company in 1973, believing it was vastly undervalued. He wrote to Graham at the time, expressing both confidence in the company’s potential and in her leadership — she had just become the first woman to serve as CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
Buffett went on to serve on the board of the company, now known as Graham Holdings, for nearly 40 years. Graham once remarked that meetings with Buffett were like attending business school, as he would walk her through company reports in great detail. His investment paid off handsomely, with the stock increasing 40-fold during her tenure.
Buffett ultimately sold his 23.4% stake in Graham Holdings in 2014, by which time it was valued at nearly $1.1 billion. While The Washington Post was sold to Jeff Bezos in 2013, Graham Holdings continues to operate in various industries. Reflecting on Graham’s legacy at the meeting, Buffett emphasized how her story helped shape modern America and deserves renewed recognition.
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