Giving It All Away the Doris Buffett Sto: The Doris Buffett Story

by Michael Zitz

When she was a toddler in Omaha, her parents called her Mary Sunshine.

Warren Buffett's big sister Doris has never lost that quality, despite personal problems that would have soured others on the world. The "retail" philanthropist known as the Sunshine Lady derives such joy from helping others on a one on one basis that emotional abuse by a mother who may have been bipolar, a string of horrific marriages, nearly losing her home after the 1987 stock market crash, two bouts of cancer, and, worst of all, estrangement from her own children, have never hardened her heart.

Instead, her own problems have caused empathy for others, evident since childhood, to deepen over the years. She has donated $100 million of her own money, mostly to individuals in trouble through no fault of their own, often taking the time to call them personally to determine the best way to help. At 82, her goal is to give away her entire fortune, which remains substantial despite her generosity and the stock market crash of 2008.

"She identifies with the underdog," Warren says.

Perhaps more important than the material gifts she bestows is her message, resonating through her own We can all write our own destiny. We can all maintain nobility, optimism and selflessness in the face of uncertainty and pain. And caring for others more than we do for ourselves is the most rewarding thing in life.

Genres: Business, Biography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jennifer Pratt · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not a biography. It's a weird long-form love letter to Doris. It lacks perspective, insight, and anything approaching research other than kinda asking some family members to say something about her if they feel like it.
I have no idea why this book exists.

[Matt Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled across this book in an article I read and was very interested to check it out. I enjoy reading and learning about Warren Buffet, who is Doris's younger brother. Any time I can read about a person who has went through so much, yet has maintained optimism, joy and generosity in their life, is a good experience. I appreciated and was encouraged by this story. This book covered many things about the Buffet family that I didn't know, most of it made me respect them even more. I finished the book in one sitting and feel I have a greater appreciation for much of the work Doris Buffet and her foundations are doing and learned more about what a well lived life and legacy can look like.

[Nina Needleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doris Buffet’s life of Learning by Giving

Doris Buffet’s life story wasn’t all roses, but the initiative she took and the creative ways her philanthropy helped people help themselves is an inspiration. More than the money, it was the hand up that mattered. Her Mary Sunshine Foundation spun off several other foundations : WISP and Learning by Giving Foundation and many college philanthropy programs! I want to be Doris when I grow up!

[Kim]

I thoroughly loved this book. Philanthropy at its best but on such a personal level. Doris went about giving away money, but only after researching what the need was and if it was a self inflicted need or where a person had things happen in life to them totally out of their control. She specialized in helping children who had no one to help give them a leg up on life. She also helped many women to become educated and get them on their feet. Five stars for sure.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my pet peeves is people with lots of money who don't use it for good beyond ensuring the easy life for their heirs. How reaffirming to hear about the possibility that being rich doesn't mean that you have to hoard it all to stay that way. Doris Buffett is a "first generation" super-rich person - her family was not Vanderbilt wealthy when she was a child, she knows the ups-and-downs of bad marriages, financial ruin and family drama. With the good advice and assistance of her brother Warren, Doris has passively amassed more money than many countries could ever hope to have. Doris now knows the joy and satisfaction of sharing wealth to aid, comfort and elevate those who, with some well directed help, sincerely seek a better life. As her brother says "My sister Doris is a philanthropist, but far from and ordinary one. If she has her way, the last check she writes will be returned to the payee with 'insufficient funds' stamped on it."

The easy, family oral history writing style makes this a quick read but on occasion it feels a little disorganized. It sometimes doubles back, retells parts and side tracks to tangential tales - much like listening to someone tell the family story - and after all, this is what it is. For someone who wants a more "scholarly" toned detailed look into the life of the Buffett family I recommend The Snowball which tells the history from Warren's point of view.

[Linnae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story of a neat lady--Warren Buffett's sister, in case you didn't guess. She is determined to give away her entire fortune before she dies, and not just making big lump-sum donations ("wholesale philanthropy") but helping individuals with specific needs ("retail philanthropy").

The writing was a bit scattered--just as I thought we were going along chronologically, it would skip ahead to the present day for awhile--a paragraph, or a chapter, or two--then the story would pick back up roughly where it left off. This story could have been summed up as a feature magazine article without missing much.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, it's almost always interesting to read about other people's lives. I thought it was interesting that she doesn't have close relationships with any of her children, probably due to the many marriages she had that created an unstable life for them, growing up. I think there's probably another fascinating side to that story. I love how she's devoted her life to making sure the unlucky and unprivileged get some help though. As a parent of two children with Fragile X Snydrome I'm especially grateful to her support of FRAXA and was intrigued to read her reasons for feeling connected to the Fragile X world.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring biography of an intelligent, fascinating woman. Michael Zitz captures the spirit of Doris Buffett, whose generosity and determination can't help but encourage all of us to pay it forward.

[Jenna Gall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Doris Buffett Story was a great book about her life. I had no idea the struggles she went through but she works tirelessly to help those in need. It's a great uplifting story that I would recommend to anybody.
I recieved the book for free from goodreads.com

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good insight into the life and times of Doris Buffett, her struggles, and her resolution to make the world a better place, one person at a time, through her Sunshine Ladies Foundation. Inspiring and worth a read.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never knew much about Doris Buffett before I read this book. She is an incredible woman and is an inspiration!

[Anette Packer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book on Doris Buffett's life and how she is orchestrating "giving it all away" before she dies.

[Ellie Revert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating story about WArren's sister, her tough life, and the great resolution of it all.

[Lucas Remmerswaal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doris is an inspiration giving it all away. The sunshine lady brings a smile to my face, check out you tube Doris Buffett Review - 13 Habits that made me Billions.

[Karolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who knew?