Abel joined Berkshire Hathaway in 2000 when it acquired his company, MidAmerican Energy. He didn’t buy Bitcoin or flip real estate. Instead, he inherited a role in a sprawling utility empire. Under Buffett’s wing, Abel expanded MidAmerican into a $100 billion behemoth that now includes PacifiCorp and NV Energy.
His compensation is tied to the performance of these companies. That means steady salary plus Berkshire’s famous deferred compensation plans. It’s boring. It’s reliable. And it’s the financial equivalent of a perfectly aged cheddar—worth far more after years of patience.
Fun fact: Abel famously never sold a single share of Berkshire stock until 2026, when he donated some. That’s the kind of loyalty that builds compound interest into a mountain. He’s living proof that you don’t need a billion-dollar exit—you need a century-long horizon.
The Energy Empire: Where the Real Money Lives
Abel’s largest asset is his stake in Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE), the subsidiary he ran. BHE owns wind farms, gas pipelines, and electrical grids across the US and UK. This is not sexy. There are no Teslas or flying cars here. But utilities are a cash-printing machine.
Greg Abel’s net worth in 2026 as Buffett’s successor - TheStreet
Think of it like this: every time you flip a light switch or charge your phone, you are paying a tiny fraction of a cent to Berkshire. Multiply that by millions of customers for decades, and you get a fortune. Abel’s net worth is powered by your toaster.
Practical tip: if you want to emulate Abel’s wealth building, don’t chase unicorns. Invest in essential services—electricity, water, insurance. These are the boring sectors that survive recessions and wars. Check your portfolio for utility ETFs like XLU. Your future self will thank you.
