An anonymous bidder shelled out more than $9 million for the chance to dine privately with NBA star Stephen Curry and investment legend Warren Buffett, with the 95-year-old business icon pledging to double the donation so both of their preferred charitable organizations will receive funding.
The eBay bidding concluded Thursday evening as part of an effort to bring back a fundraising tradition that Buffett had maintained for over twenty years, generating $53 million for San Francisco’s GLIDE Foundation, which serves the homeless population. This year’s revival also benefited Curry’s Eat.Learn.Play. Foundation, which he founded alongside his wife, Ayesha.
The unidentified auction winner bid exactly $9,000,100 to secure a private meal with Buffett and the Currys scheduled for next month in Omaha, Nebraska, where the renowned investor makes his home.
“We’re overwhelmed with gratitude for this opportunity, which reflects a shared belief that when different generations and institutions come together with purpose, we can create deeper and more lasting impact for the people who need it most,” the Currys said in a statement.
These charity lunch auctions began in 2000 and ran annually until the pandemic caused a temporary halt. Beginning in 2008, each successful bid to dine with the investment legend exceeded $1 million. Buffett ended the tradition after a record $19 million winning bid in 2022.
An attempt to continue the concept in 2024 featured software executive Marc Benioff and generated $1.5 million, though that iteration didn’t continue.
Earlier this year, Buffett contacted the Currys to invite them to participate in reviving the lunch auction. Curry had been sidelined for 27 games this season before returning to assist the Golden State Warriors in their final stretch.
After six decades at the helm, Buffett stepped away from his role as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in January, though he continues as chairman. He recently experienced his first annual shareholder meeting as an attendee rather than the event’s leader on stage.
