Warren Buffett has ‘not had water in 48 years’, says Bill Ackman: What does the 96-year-old billionaire drink instead?

Warren Buffett has built a reputation for making legendary investment choices, but honestly, it’s some of his personal habits that turn the most heads. Recently, billionaire investor Bill Ackman spilled some beans about the 96-year-old billionaire’s habits, and it’s safe to say that some might find it pretty surprising. Because here’s something you might not expect from the man known as the Oracle of Omaha: he apparently hasn’t had a glass of water in 48 years. Instead, at 96, Buffett seems to run on Cherry Coke.

What happened?

Bill Ackman brought this claim back into the spotlight recently, on the Equity Mates Investing podcast. He told the story of serving dinner to Buffett at his home. Ackman, being a good host, offered him water (still or sparkling), but Buffett waved it off immediately and asked for his favorite carbonated drink. When Ackman pressed, “Don’t you ever drink water?” Buffett responded with that now-famous retort: “Bill, I haven’t had water in 48 years.”Whether or not you believe he’s managed nearly half a century without a single sip of water, as it’s Ackman’s memory versus the rest of us, it is true that Buffett stands proud by his eccentric approach to food and drink. This has always leaned heavily on ice cream, fast food, and a parade of sodas. He’s lived most of his 90s defying health advice, yet he keeps on grinning.

Cherry Coke over water: Inside Warren Buffett’s unusual drinking habit

Buffett’s loyalty to Coca-Cola isn’t a recent phase. As a kid growing up in Omaha, Buffett developed a taste for fizz and sugar early, per a Fortune report. He started with Coca-Cola, flirted with Pepsi for decades, and then, in the 1980s, made a decisive switch to Cherry Coke. Don Keough, a former Coca-Cola president and Buffett’s neighbor, played a role in this conversion. Not only did Cherry Coke dethrone Pepsi as Buffett’s daily fix, but he went so far as to crown it the official drink at Berkshire Hathaway’s 1986 shareholder meeting. Even on the most public stage, he likes people to know what’s in his glass.Buffett once joked during a Fortune interview that he drank five cans of Coke a day, which is 260 calories each, on average, meaning a quarter of his daily energy intake came straight from a red can. “I’m one quarter Coca-Cola,” he famously remarked! At the office, he stuck with classic Coke, but at home, nothing but Cherry Coke would do.

What else does Warren Buffett eat and drink?

If you looked for surprises in the rest of his diet, you wouldn’t find any green juices or quinoa. Per Fortune, he’s a regular at McDonald’s and a known fan of Dairy Queen and See’s Candies, both businesses under the Berkshire banner. His day might begin with a stop at McDonald’s, and his breakfast order gently moves up or down the menu based on the mood of the stock market.From fries and hot dogs to chocolate-chip cookies, Buffett gravitates towards the comfort food of American childhood and never misses out on extra sugar.Buffett’s aversion to water isn’t about hydration denial; it’s a product of his total lack of interest in “healthy” eating. Even exercise was never his thing. Buffett and his longtime business partner Charlie Munger often poked fun at the idea of jogging or gym memberships. Buffett, ever the numbers guy, once said he checked actuarial tables and noticed that six-year-olds have the lowest death rate of any group. So, he concluded, he’d eat like a kid.Simplistic? Sure. But it’s classic Buffett.He says happiness is the real secret: not kale, not protein shakes. In recent interviews, Buffett emphasizes joy before perfection. What makes him happy? In a CNBC interview, he suggested that a Cherry Coke and a hot fudge sundae, simple pleasures, and meaningful work made him happier. He’s more relaxed about rules, preferring to enjoy what time he has instead of focusing on longevity through sacrifice.

Is drinking Coca-Cola instead of water actually healthy?

Here’s the thing: drinking loads of soda instead of water loads your system with sugar, calories, and acid — none of which are gentle on your teeth or your metabolic health. Soft drinks don’t provide the body with what water does: clean, pure hydration without calories or extra burdens for your kidneys. For most people, especially as they age, too much sugar, caffeine, and processed food can spell trouble: weight gain, sleep disturbances, sluggish kidneys, and a higher risk for serious health issues.But then you see Buffett, almost a century old, sharp as ever and still chugging Cherry Coke. Does that mean his way is a blueprint for everyone? Not exactly. It’s important to keep in mind that he’s the definition of an outlier. His habits are fascinating, but they’re not what keeps most people healthy.All said and done, Warren Buffett isn’t a poster boy for some pathbreaking road to longevity with Coke instead of water. He’s interested in his own happiness. If there’s a lesson here, maybe it’s that living well isn’t one-size-fits-all. Most of us should just stick with water, but watching him enjoy his Cherry Coke at nearly 100 still makes for a pretty good story!