Biography
Nearly a century of relentless intellectual curiosity, from Depression-era Omaha to becoming one of the most respected minds in business and investing.
Born January 1 in Omaha, Nebraska, to Alfred Munger, a lawyer, and Florence 'Toody' Munger
lifeWorked at Buffett & Son grocery store, owned by Warren Buffett's grandfather
lifeLeft the University of Michigan, where he studied mathematics, to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II
lifeTrained as a meteorologist at Caltech (California Institute of Technology) by the Army Air Corps
educationAdmitted to Harvard Law School without an undergraduate degree, based on his exceptional aptitude
educationGraduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School
educationBegan practicing law at Wright & Garrett, a prominent law firm in Los Angeles
careerDivorced first wife. His son Teddy was diagnosed with leukemia
lifeTeddy Munger died of leukemia at age nine. Charlie later lost sight in one eye due to a failed cataract surgery
lifeMarried Nancy Barry Borthwick, with whom he would have four more children
lifeFirst met Warren Buffett at a dinner in Omaha, introduced by Dr. Edwin Davis. Buffett later said he knew immediately that Munger was special
partnershipCo-founded the law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson, now one of the most prestigious in the U.S.
careerAt Buffett's encouragement, began managing his own investment partnerships with an initial focus on real estate and securities
investingThe 1973–74 bear market devastated the partnership — losing 31.9% in 1973 and 31.5% in 1974, testing Munger's conviction in concentrated investing
investingClosed his investment partnership after 13 years. Annualized return to partners: 19.8% vs. 5.2% for the Dow
investingBecame Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, beginning one of the greatest partnerships in business history
partnershipBecame Chairman of Wesco Financial Corporation, a Berkshire subsidiary
careerDelivered 'A Lesson on Elementary, Worldly Wisdom' at USC Business School — his definitive speech on mental models
intellectualDelivered 'The Psychology of Human Misjudgment' at Harvard — his magnum opus on cognitive biases
intellectualBecame Chairman of Daily Journal Corporation, a position he would hold for over two decades
careerPoor Charlie's Almanack published, edited by Peter Kaufman. Became an underground classic
intellectualDelivered USC Law School commencement address — widely considered his most accessible and complete life philosophy
intellectualDesigned the Munger Graduate Residence at the University of Michigan, reflecting his lifelong passion for architecture
lifeDesigned controversial dormitory for UC Santa Barbara — a 4,500-student 'Munger Hall' with mostly windowless rooms, based on his theories about communal living
lifeDonated $110 million to UC Santa Barbara for Munger Hall, one of the largest single donations to the university
lifeAt age 96, continued chairing the Daily Journal annual meeting, fielding questions for hours
careerPassed away November 28, at age 99, just 33 days before his 100th birthday. Stripe Press published a new edition of Poor Charlie's Almanack shortly after
life