20-year-old Walmart

Warren Buffett is widely regarded as one of the most successful investors ever, and his investment in The Coca-Cola Company remains one of his most famous business decisions.

Following the 1987 stock market crash, Buffett saw strong long-term potential in Coca-Cola because of its global popularity and powerful brand identity. Through Berkshire Hathaway, he started purchasing shares in the company.

By 1994, Berkshire Hathaway had spent approximately $1.3 billion to secure 400 million Coca-Cola shares. This gave the company close to a nine percent ownership position.

Over the decades, the value of that investment increased dramatically. By 2024, the stake was estimated to be worth more than $25 billion.

The massive growth reflected returns of nearly 2,000 percent, demonstrating how profitable long-term investments in established companies can become over time.

In addition to the rising share value, Coca-Cola provides Berkshire Hathaway with enormous yearly dividend payments. The company now earns around $816 million annually from dividends alone.

That amount equals more than $2 million every day, meaning the original investment can effectively be recovered through dividends within only a few years. Buffett’s long-standing faith in Coca-Cola shows how patience, discipline, and trust in durable businesses can create extraordinary financial success.