Doris Buffett, the Sunshine Lady

I caught Doris Buffett, sister of you-know-who, on C-SPAN's "Q & A" program Sunday night. Brian Lamb conducts these interviews, and they're consistently among the best found anywhere. (In a world of self-absorbed cable TV talkers, Lamb and Charlie Rose on PBS are to be treasured, IMHO.)

Doris Buffett talked about her involvement with The Sunshine Lady Foundation, a private, family foundation incorporated in 1996. She's 80 years old, a mother and grandmother, and gosh, what a sensible, down to earth lady. When the interview started I didn't know if I'd watch the whole thing because I didn't know anything about her and her foundation. But it was a treat, and I bet Ms. Buffett is a treat much cherished by her family and friends.

You can watch the interview or get a transcript here.

During "Q & A," Lamb doesn't just ask about what the person does now. That is to say, he talked a good deal about the Sunshine Foundation -- most of the interview, of course. But you also gain insight into the person's motivations, what makes them tick, their background, where they've lived and so on.

Thankfully, Lamb brought up Warren Buffett, but in no way was the interview about Doris being Warren's sister.

On the other hand, Lamb brought out from Doris the immense love that she and her siblings had (and have) for their late father, Howard Buffett. I've read Warren Buffett speak of the devotion he's had for his father, and the quality of man he was in shaping his children's character. Brian Lamb asking Doris Buffett about her father was a nice touch to a delightful interview.

Comments

[nk]

"If a company's shares are worth $40 today, if the stock sells for $20, and if management retires 15% of the shares outstanding, the new intrinsic value instantly rises to $43.5"

Anyone knows how he calculated $43.5? Intrinsic value shouldn't have any connection to the market price of $20.

[John]

nk: I watched the interview on TV, so if Lamb said that I missed it.

[nk]

Sorry, should have been a comment on a later post "Another Sign of Successful Fund Managers: Humility and the Admission of Mistakes"

[John]

nk: No problem!

[David]

Thanks John, Added this one to our most recent "Features" post.

Enjoyed the interview, and was interested to hear about Doris' life and her comments on her dad, Howard Buffett. Good stuff.

[John]

David: Thank you for finding it valuable enough to link back to your site. Much appreciated!

[Nancy Carrier]

I was channel surfing, thought I would watch a few minutes. Doris Buffett interview was so
interesting, that I watch the complete show. I was so impressed of her direct answer.
She is a GOD send to the ladies she is helping.