Astrid Menks Wikipedia: Age, Net Worth, Children, Family & BIO of Warren Buffett’s Wife
Astrid Menks is a Latvian-American philanthropist and former cocktail waitress who is married to Warren Buffett, one of the richest and most influential investors in the world. She has been with Buffett for over four decades, supporting him at home and in his charitable endeavors. She is also a close friend of Buffett’s first wife, Susan, who passed away in 2004.
Warren Buffett is a household name for many people around the world. He is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a multinational conglomerate that owns and invests in various businesses, such as Coca-Cola, Apple, Bank of America, and Geico. He is also one of the most successful investors of all time, with a net worth of over $125 billion as of February 2024, making him the fifth-richest person in the world.
But who is the woman behind this financial genius? Who is the person who shares his life, his home, and his philanthropic vision? Her name is Astrid Menks, and she is the second wife of Warren Buffett.
Biography
Astrid Menks was born in 1946 (age: 78 years, as of 2024) in Latvia, a country in northeastern Europe near Russia. Little is known about her childhood or her family background, but it is likely that she experienced some hardships and challenges during the Soviet occupation of Latvia, which lasted from 1944 to 1991.
She later moved to the United States, where she pursued the American dream of freedom and opportunity. She settled in Omaha, Nebraska, where she found a job as a waitress at a local cocktail bar / French Cafe called the French Café. The venue was an upscale nightclub that poked fun at the traditional French cuisine with fake dishes, such as “le surf and turf”
Wiki, Height, Weight
| Age | 78 years old (as of 2024) |
| Date of Birth | January 31, 1946 |
| Place of Birth | Latvia |
| Nationality | Latvian-American |
| Occupation | Philanthropist, former cocktail waitress |
| Net Worth | Estimated at more than $100,000 |
| Children | None (stepmother to Buffett’s three children) |
| Grandchildren | Nicole Buffett and Howard Warren Buffett (step-grandchildren) |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Weight | 130 lbs (60 kg) |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Source | Instagram- #astridmenks Homepage- newsunzip |
Meeting Buffett and Thompson
It was at the French Café where Astrid Menks met Warren Buffett for the first time. He was a regular customer who often came to listen to the music and enjoy the company of the staff. One of the singers at the club was Susan Thompson, who was Buffett’s wife at the time. They had been married since 1952 and had three children: Susan Alice, Howard Graham, and Peter.
However, their marriage was not conventional. Thompson had her own interests and ambitions, which included pursuing a career as a singer and a philanthropist. She also felt overwhelmed by Buffett’s obsession with his businesses and investments, which left him little time for anything else. In 1977, she decided to move to San Francisco, California, to follow her passions and live her own life.
But she did not divorce Buffett. She still loved him and respected him, and they remained in touch and visited each other regularly. She also knew that he needed someone to take care of him at home, as he was notoriously bad at looking after himself. She asked Astrid Menks, who was her close friend and colleague, to look after Buffett in her absence. Menks agreed, and soon began bringing him homemade soup and helping him with household chores.
Within a year, Menks moved in with Buffett at his white stucco house in Omaha. She became his companion and caretaker, while Thompson remained his wife and partner. They shared a complex and unconventional relationship, which was based on love, friendship, and respect. They also shared a common vision of giving back to society and supporting various causes and charities.
Astrid Menks Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth (in billion USD) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 billion USD |
| 2023 | 10 billion USD |
| 2024 | 3 billion USD |
Marriage and Philanthropy
Astrid Menks and Warren Buffett lived together for nearly three decades, but they did not get married until 2006, two years after Thompson’s death from oral cancer in 2004. They had a simple and private wedding ceremony at the home of Buffett’s daughter, Susie, in Omaha. They invited only a few close friends and family members, and did not announce their marriage to the public until a few months later.
Menks and Buffett have a low-key and modest lifestyle, despite their immense wealth. They live in the same house that Buffett bought in 1958 for $31,500, and they drive ordinary cars and eat at local restaurants. They also avoid the spotlight and the media attention, preferring to focus on their personal and philanthropic interests.
Menks has been involved in some of the charitable activities that Buffett and Thompson initiated or supported, such as the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, which focuses on reproductive health, family planning, and education. She is also an antique collector and a lover of animals, especially cats.
How Warren Buffett’s Marriage Advice Can Make You Rich and Happy
Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and one of the richest people in the world, has a simple and surprising advice for anyone who wants to have a successful and lasting marriage: look for someone with low expectations.
Buffett, who has been married twice and has spent 70 years of his life in wedlock, shared this wisdom during the 2015 Most Powerful Women Summit. He said that having a partner who does not expect too much from you can help you avoid disappointment and frustration in your relationship.
But what does this mean exactly? Does Buffett suggest that you should settle for less than you deserve or lower your standards when choosing a spouse? Not at all. In fact, Buffett’s marriage advice is consistent with his investment philosophy, which is based on finding value and quality over hype and glamour.
Buffett is known for investing in companies that have strong fundamentals, consistent earnings, and competitive advantages, rather than chasing after the latest trends or fads. He looks for businesses that are undervalued by the market, but have the potential to grow and deliver long-term returns. He also avoids companies that are overpriced, risky, or unreliable, no matter how popular or promising they may seem.
Similarly, Buffett’s marriage advice implies that you should look for a partner who has the qualities that matter to you, such as integrity, loyalty, kindness, and compatibility, rather than focusing on superficial or unrealistic attributes, such as appearance, wealth, or fame. He also suggests that you should avoid partners who are demanding, needy, or dishonest, no matter how attractive or exciting they may appear.
By following Buffett’s marriage advice, you can find a partner who will support you, inspire you, and make you happy, without putting too much pressure or stress on you. You can also avoid partners who will drain you, distract you, or make you miserable, without adding any value or joy to your life.
Buffett himself is a living example of how his marriage advice can make you rich and happy. He credits his first wife, Susan, who passed away in 2004, and his second wife, Astrid, whom he married in 2006, for being the most important influences in his life. He said that they helped him become the person he wanted to be, and that they contributed to his success and happiness more than anything else.
So, if you want to have a marriage that lasts, and a life that thrives, you may want to listen to Warren Buffett’s marriage advice. Look for someone with low expectations, but high standards. Look for someone who values you, but does not demand too much from you. Look for someone who makes you rich, not only in money, but also in love.
Astrid Menks is a remarkable woman who has been a loyal and loving companion to Warren Buffett, the world’s richest man. She has also been a generous and humble philanthropist, who has contributed to various causes and charities. She has a unique and fascinating story, which deserves to be told and appreciated.
