Billionaire Warren Buffett Has Avoided Plain Water Since the 1970s — His Diet Includes Five Cans of Coke a Day and Fast Food

Legendary investor Warren Buffett, whose fortune is worth tens of billions of dollars, is known not only for his financial decisions but also for his rather unusual eating habits. By his own account, he drinks five cans of Coca-Cola a day, favors fast food and sweets, and, reportedly, has not drunk plain water in nearly half a century.

The billionaire's unusual habit was revealed by Bill Ackman, founder and CEO of investment firm Pershing Square, during an appearance on the Equity Mates Investing podcast.

Recalling a dinner to which he had invited Buffett, Ackman said he offered his guest a choice of still or sparkling water. The investor's response was unexpected: he said he had not drunk water in more than 48 years and preferred Cherry Coke.

As Business Insider notes, this is not a passing preference but a habit that has lasted for decades. Buffett, who led Berkshire Hathaway for six decades, has repeatedly spoken about his love of Coca-Cola. He says he drinks five cans a day and has even joked that his body is 25% Coke, with roughly a quarter of his daily calorie intake coming from the beverage.

The investor has had a particular fondness for Cherry Coke since 1986. That year, at Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholders' meeting, he publicly announced that after 48 years of loyalty to Pepsi, he was switching to Coca-Cola.

Coca-Cola: One of His Most Successful Investments

Buffett's fondness for the drink eventually became one of Berkshire Hathaway's most successful investment decisions.

Since the mid-1990s, the company has owned approximately 9% of Coca-Cola's shares. Its initial investment of around $1.3 billion is now worth more than $28 billion — an increase of roughly 21 times.

McDonald's for Breakfast and a Sweet Tooth

The billionaire's unusual eating habits go well beyond soda. According to media reports, his mornings often begin with a McDonald's breakfast on the way to work. His regular menu also includes hot dogs, French fries, popcorn, cookies and ice cream.

His love of such foods is reflected, to some extent, in Berkshire Hathaway's investment portfolio, which includes confectionery maker See's Candies and the Dairy Queen restaurant chain. The company also holds a substantial stake in Kraft Heinz.

Cherry Coke at the Top of the Great Wall of China

Buffett's preferences have sometimes created extra work for those traveling with him.

During a 17-day trip to China in 1995, the investor traveled with Bill Gates and his then-wife, Melinda. To ensure Buffett could stick to his usual diet, the trip organizers reportedly had to make arrangements with hotel chefs in advance to prepare hamburgers and French fries.

One particularly memorable stop was the Great Wall of China, where a chilled can of Cherry Coke was reportedly waiting for the billionaire so he could enjoy his favorite drink even during the excursion.

The Secret to Longevity — or an Exception to the Rule?

Despite medical advice to limit sugar consumption and maintain adequate hydration, Buffett remains mentally sharp and active well into old age. His unusual diet has long been part of the public image of the investor known as the “Oracle of Omaha.”

However, Buffett's story does not prove that such eating habits are safe or promote longevity. Rather, it is an exceptional example of someone whose personal preferences sharply contradict modern nutritional advice.