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Warren Buffett's Seven Biggest Moments In The Limelight

7 Of Warren Buffett's Biggest News Moments
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By 

Former Associate Business Editor, The Huffington Post

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Warren Buffett's actions might not be predictable, but people certainly do take notice of them. His investments are mimicked, his remarks publicized and his opinions sought by people no less powerful than the president himself.

Indeed,the so-called Oracle of Omaha's most recent $5 billion investment in a troubled Bank of America is only the latest high-profile deed in Buffett's long contrarian track record. In 1965, for example, he invested in an American Express wracked by scandal. More recently, Buffett flat out rejected Standard & Poor's assessment of U.S. credit has even said that as a billionaire he should pay more taxes.

In the end, though, Warren Buffett's most attractive quality may be his seemingly eternal optimism. "All those people who think the world is going to end" Buffett reportedly told CNBC's Becky Quick on Wednesday. "I think they're wrong."

Here are seven of Warren Buffett's most memorable newsmakers:

7 Warren Buffett Moments
1964: Investment In American Express(01 of07)
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In 1964, Warren Buffett purchased shares of an American Express wracked by the "salad oil scandal." The purchases would go on to net him $3.7 Billion, according to 24/7 Wall St. The move would later be compared to his more recent investments in Goldman Sachs and Bank of America.
2008: $5 Billion Investment In Goldman Sachs(02 of07)
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In 2008, Buffett flew in the face of a full-blown financial crisis and bought $5 billion worth of Goldman Sachs shares, netting an eventual $1.6 billion in dividends, according to CNBC.
2010: 'We're Still In A Recession"(03 of07)
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Despite the recession officially declared over, Buffett told CNBC in September 2010 that the economy was "still in a recession. And -- and we're not gonna be out of it for awhile, but we will get out of it."
2011: Debt Ceiling Debate 'Blowing America's Brains Out' (04 of07)
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During the U.S. debt ceiling debate over the summer, Buffett told CNBC that the the Republican-controlled Congress was "trying to use the incentive now that we're going to blow your brains out, America, in terms of your debt worthiness over time."
2011: USA Credit Rating Should Be 'Quadruple A'(05 of07)
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After Standard & Poor's downgraded U.S. credit, Buffett told Bloomberg TV that the country deserved a "quadruple A" rating, not a downgrade -- a remark later referenced by President Obama.
2011: 'Stop Coddling The Super Rich' With Low Taxes(06 of07)
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In a New York Times op-ed Buffett criticized the low tax rates of U.S. billionaires. "[W]hile the poor and middle class fight for us in Afghanistan, and while most Americans struggle to make ends meet, we mega-rich continue to get our extraordinary tax breaks," Buffett wrote.
2011: $5 Billion Investment In Bank Of America(07 of07)
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On August 25th 2011, Buffett announced that he would purchase $5 billion worth of shares in beleaguered Bank of America. According to CNBC, he reportedly "dreamt this idea up...while he was in the bathtub."

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