Jakarta, ThedailyID — Billionaire investor Warren Buffett reportedly has not drunk plain water for nearly five decades. Instead, he prefers packaged sugary carbonated drinks, according to a recent account by fellow billionaire Bill Ackman.
Ackman, founder and CEO of Pershing Square, shared the story on the Equity Mates Investing podcast in late October. Vietnamese outlet VnExpress later reported his remarks.
Ackman recalled hosting Buffett for dinner at his home. Knowing Buffett’s fondness for soft drinks, Ackman stocked several options for his guest.
However, he also offered Buffett plain water and sparkling water. Buffett declined both and asked for a packaged soft drink instead.
“I said, ‘You don’t drink water?’ He [Buffett] replied, ‘Bill, I haven’t had a glass of water in 48 years,'” Ackman recalled.
Ackman did not specify when the dinner took place. Buffett, now 96, has not publicly responded to the account.
Nevertheless, Buffett’s long-standing preference for soft drinks is well documented. In a 2019 interview with CNBC, he said he drank around five cans of sugary beverages every day.
Four years earlier, he also told Fortune that roughly a quarter of his body consisted of his favorite packaged drink.
Buffett’s fondness for sugary beverages reflects his unconventional eating habits. Reports say he often starts his mornings with fast-food items such as hot dogs, pastries, and ice cream.
“If I ate only broccoli and Brussels sprouts all my life, I don’t think I would have lived this long. I would feel like I was going to prison with every meal,” Buffett once said.
Sugary drinks and frequent fast-food consumption can pose health risks. Excessive calorie and fat intake may increase the risk of several chronic conditions.
Despite his unusual diet, Buffett has repeatedly emphasized the importance of enjoying life. In a 2023 interview, he said happiness plays a major role in longevity.
He also considers sugary drinks and other fast-food favorites part of what makes him happy.
