Partners, Redux Summary and Analysis

As the years progressed, Buffett and his wife saw one another less and less frequently. The last child was in college and Susie continued to pursue her singing career. Eventually, in September, 1977, she left and moved to San Francisco. Buffett was devastated, and the home was now empty. They spoke by telephone daily and vacationed together, but continued to live apart. Susie, worried about Warren being lonely, encouraged a relationship between him and a waitress at the Omaha French Cafe, Astrid Menks. Eventually Astrid moved into Buffett's home and assumed wifely duties and providing the companionship that he missed. The relationship between all three was amicable, and children and friends alike were rather astounded.

What probably salvaged Buffett's disposition most was the recession and stock market decline of the late 1970s, a situation that motivated him to scoop up...