This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with John Di Bella III, a 20-year-old college student at Hofstra University in New York. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Eight hours waiting in the cold Nebraska night air was a small price to pay for the experience of watching Warren Buffett close one of the final chapters in the story of a lifetime.
My business partner from college and I had been planning a trip to see the investing icon speak at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder meeting for at least a year.
On Friday night, I flew in from New York City and touched down in Buffett’s hometown of Omaha at around 10:30 p.m.
Our hotel was across the street from CHI Health Center, the meeting venue. People were already beginning to camp outside, so I quickly checked in, dropped my bags, then walked over to join the line with an energy drink.
The first gentleman I spoke to was Dean, an excited data analytics guy from Colorado who was camped out with a sleeping bag.
A college teacher and her students were playing poker on a giant tarp they’d brought. I joined in and spent the night flipping cards, placing bets, and waiting.
I didn’t notice the temperature dropping off until my body started shaking. It was freezing cold. People in the line were wearing solar blankets and looked like the Tin Man.
John Di Bella III
Morning rush
As the morning got closer, people got rowdier, and the lines tightened up. Thousands of Buffett fans showed up.
When the doors opened at 7 a.m., it was complete chaos. We sprinted about 10 feet before realizing we had to go through a security checkpoint. There were security guards shouting at us to knock it off and we got the memo quickly.
Once past security, we raced up the stairs, taking three at a time, then attempted to run-walk through the arena to reach the audience seating area. Security were yelling at anyone who ran.
Eight hours of waiting paid off when we slid into the first bleacher row above the floor, maybe one or two sections from the front of the stadium where Buffett would speak.
I’ve been to concerts in the past, but nothing that compared to a packed out stadium for one man who people really look up to and want to learn from.
Selfie skills
During the break at 10:30 a.m., I went down to the stadium floor to see if I could get photos of VIPs.
I realized Hillary Clinton was still in the room. A few passionate ladies in the line were calling out, “Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!”
I stood there thinking, “How am I going to get her attention?”
I had a phrase in my mind from military school and blurted out, “Madam Secretary, how are you today?”
She turned around with a smile on her face, walked over, and agreed to take a picture with me.
John Di Bella III
Then Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, walked out. I was determined to get a picture with him.
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My partner’s mother left her corporate senior management job to work at Apple back in 1997 when Steve Jobs rejoined the company.
Having a photo of Tim Cook would be something funny I could text and be like, “Hey, I saw your boss,” but it also had sentimental value.
After failing twice, I caught his eye and said, “Mr. Cook, my mother-in-law works for you. Her name’s Meghan. She loves you, sir. Can I get a photo with you?”
He smiled and replied, “Absolutely. She’s a great person. I know her. Tell her I wish her well,” then posed for a photo with me.
John Di Bella
Breaking the news
During the Q&A, Buffett shared advice and interesting stories. I was exhausted, but the more tired I became, the more intently I listened.
At one point he joked about how Tim Cook made more money for Berkshire Hathaway than he ever had. He was totally serious and it was such a humble thing to say.
In the closing minutes of the session, Buffett’s mannerisms changed and you could tell something important was coming.
The room was quiet enough to hear a pin drop.
Buffett announced he intends to step down at the end of this year and have his planned successor, Greg Abel, take the CEO role.
After the bombshell, the entire audience stood and applauded that man for 10 minutes straight.
I felt like I was personally speaking to Buffett saying: “Thank you. Thank you for bringing me here. Thank you for everything that you have done for us. And thank you for the legacy that we will now remember you by.”
Memorable meeting
Listening to Buffett provided the cheapest wisdom I’ve ever received. I put in nothing compared to what I experienced that day.
The waiting, camaraderie, sleep deprivation, listening to stories, meeting Tim Cook and Hillary Clinton, all added to that historic day. I waited eight hours; I experienced a lifetime.
We witnessed history being made — a page in the final chapter of one of the greatest stories written.
All things considered, I think it was a pretty good trip.
