Interestingly, it was first wife, Susan Buffett, who arranged for the two to meet before she left Omaha to pursue her singing career.

But they remained close firneds and holiday cards to friends were signed -- Warren, Susie and Astrid -- according to Roger Lowenstein's book, Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist.

Buffett has three children - Susie, Howard, and Peter - out his first marriage with Susan Thompson in 1952 . But the marriage did not last long.

Though the couple began living separately in 1977, they remained married until her death in July 2004.

His daughter Susie does charitable work through the Susan A. Buffett Foundation and is a national board member of Girls, Inc.

Buffett loves to play the card game bridge. He he spends 12 hours a week playing bridge. He often plays with Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

Buffett's favourite place to eat is Gorat's Steak House in Omaha, where he likes to relish the T-bone steak, a double order of hash browns, and Cherry Coke.

According to US News and World Report, he drinks about five Cherry Cokes a day.

He used to drive a 2001 Lincoln Town Car which he auctioned to raise money for Girls Inc. He currently drives a Cadillac DTS.

Image: Warren Buffett with his wife Susan at the White House for a state dinner in honour of the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie.