Greg Abel currently serves as the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy while holding the role of vice-chairman for non-insurance operations at Berkshire Hathaway. His steady business ascent will lead him towards one of the most powerful financial roles in global markets.
Warren Buffett announced on May 3rd, 2025, that Greg Abel will take over as the next Chief Executive Officer for Berkshire Hathaway when Buffett retires from the $1.16 trillion conglomerate. The combination of his industry experience in energy and finance, together with operational excellence, has made Abel a respected leader who excels at strategic choices.
Quick Info |
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| Real Name: | Gregory Edward Abel |
| Birth Date: | June 1, 1962 |
| Age (as of 2025): | 62 Years |
| Birthplace: | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Parents | Ed and Bev Abel |
| Wife: | Andrea Abel |
Early Life
Greg Abel was born on 1st June 1962, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He grew up under the parenthood of his father, who worked as a salesman, while his mother was a stay-at-home lady. Greg Abel started his path toward corporate success through basic beginnings.
His early childhood in Edmonton taught him about persistence through various low-paying jobs like flyer distribution, bottle returns, and work at a forest products firm. By taking on these early responsibilities during his youth, he learned both discipline and practical knowledge about money value and work ethic. As a teenager, Abel practiced hockey and football with dedication while maintaining a strong academic performance.
He completed his bachelor’s degree in accounting at the University of Alberta in 1984 and afterwards obtained his CPA certification through AICPA. Through his work with fire extinguishers, Abel received a scholarship, which demonstrated that taking any available position could ultimately lead to better career prospects.
Career
After earning his chartered accountant certification, Abel joined PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in San Francisco. His energy sector journey started in 1992 when he joined CalEnergy, which operated as a geothermal electricity producer. The career-shaping decision led him in a new professional direction.
After CalEnergy’s acquisition of MidAmerican Energy in 1999, Abela climbed up through different positions until he became CEO in 2008. The name change to Berkshire Hathaway Energy in 2014 mirrored the parent company’s growing trust in Abel as he led the company’s direction.
Abel received dual roles as vice-chairman of Berkshire Hathaway’s non-insurance operations while also joining the board of directors in January 2018. Many observers interpreted this change as Buffett’s way to establish Abel as his future successor.
Through his leadership position at Berkshire, he oversaw multiple essential subsidiaries, such as Fruit of the Loom, See’s Candies, Clayton Homes, and Precision Castparts. Through his management of Berkshire’s acquisition of Pilot Travel Centers LLC in 2024, Abel demonstrated his strategic leadership capabilities.
The way Abel approached difficult corporate matters demonstrated his capacity to protect investor trust. Through his service on multiple boards, including Edison Electric Institute, Kraft Heinz, and Hockey Canada Foundation, Abel demonstrated his commitment to corporate governance.
The year 2022 marked a significant financial shift for Abel when he sold his 1% Berkshire Hathaway Energy stake worth $870 million. In 2022, he invested $68 million to buy 168 Class A shares of Berkshire Hathaway, which demonstrated his strong conviction about the company’s enduring success.
Warren Buffett made the official announcement on May 3, 2025, that Greg Abel would take over as CEO during the year’s final months. Berkshire Hathaway prepares to welcome their first new CEO in sixty years, and Buffett showed full faith in Abel’s potential. Berkshire Hathaway stands to achieve greater success under Greg Abel’s leadership than under Warren Buffett’s leadership.
Personal Life
Greg Abel married Andrea Abel, and they have four children together. Abel continues to keep his personal life private even though he holds a prominent career position. Burgess holds residency in Des Moines, which serves as the headquarters of Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
He maintains a strong bond with his Canadian heritage by participating in community events and youth programs. Abel dedicates his time to serve as a volunteer hockey coach for his son’s team because he has a deep-rooted affection for the sport from his youth.
He has maintained a down-to-earth leadership style throughout his career, which stands in contrast to the typical showy corporate executive look. His colleagues recognize him as someone who excels at details and maintains consistency while aiming for sustained value generation without chasing temporary financial benefits.
Social Media
Greg Abel demonstrates his reserved character by keeping a minimal social media presence on all public platforms. Today’s business leaders commonly utilize social media to build their public image, but Abel chooses to maintain a low profile.
His absence from social media platforms matches his reputation for diligent work throughout his professional journey. Information about his professional achievements and business decisions reaches the public domain primarily through official Berkshire Hathaway announcements and financial publications, and major news outlets.
Greg Abel Net Worth
Business Insider estimates that Greg Abel’s net worth reached approximately $1 billion in 2025. In 2021, Forbes reported that Greg Abel’s net worth amounted to $484 million, but it has nearly doubled since then because of important asset transactions and increased Berkshire Hathaway responsibilities. The 1% stake sale of Berkshire Hathaway Energy generated $870 million for Greg Abel in 2022. His wealth expands through his ownership of Berkshire Hathaway Class A and Class B shares.
