Warren Buffett has a surprising retirement hobby: watching 1950s commercials and ‘the Uzbekistan version of America’s Got Talent’ on YouTube

Because, according to a new Wall Street Journal story, the 96-year-old Oracle of Omaha, whose net worth sits at around $144 billion, now enjoys investing his evening hours in watching YouTube videos, including the Central Asian country’s national talent contest.

In fact, the story notes his YouTube viewing habits extend to 1950s commercials, random speeches, Glenn Close and Paul Anka clips, showtunes, Berkshire Hathaway offerings and other videos relating to his varied interests — all streamed on his television.

Buffett’s pal, Sharon Osberg, told the outlet that Buffett’s “range is broad” and “can be the silliest things.” Other favorites, meanwhile, are quite poignant, like when he views old videos of his late friend and business partner Charlie Munger.

But while Warren Buffett stepped down as both CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway this year, he isn’t spending his entire retirement glued to YouTube. As it turns out, the legendary investor keeps quite busy — beyond curating his algorithm.

The best retirement investment? Indulging in a mix of work and play

Warren Buffett noted in July that he initiated Berkshire Hathaway’s investment in Alphabet, YouTube’s parent company — shares that are now worth a reported $36.6 million.

And Buffett isn’t letting something like retirement get in the way of his work. The billionaire said he still visits Berkshire’s offices five days a week, acting as something of an investment consigliere to new head Greg Abel.

“He’s in the office every day, so we’re talking every day if I’m in Omaha,” Abel told CNBC.

Meanwhile, Buffett also attended the company’s annual meeting in May 2026.

But Buffett isn’t solely focused on investments. By all accounts, he has plenty of hobbies to keep him busy during retirement, from reading and playing bridge to his love of the ukulele.

A 2025 Harvard study suggests that Buffett might be onto something when it comes to mixing business with pleasure in retirement.

“If your idea of retirement is to simply kick back and relax, you may be setting yourself up for a higher risk of health problems and a shorter lifespan,” the study warned.

It noted that some form of enjoyable work in retirement can hold wide-ranging benefits, from increasing cognitive health and a sense of purpose to broadening social connections.

A separate study found that cultivating joy, including savoring “tiny pleasures” — like, say, watching your favorite weird YouTube videos — also offers health benefits, like longevity (which may feel like a bigger deal if you aren’t already 96).

The key, however, is getting to that point where you have the financial foundation to enjoy your hobbies and reduce your stress in retirement as much as possible.

How to boost your retirement savings strategy

Schroders’ 2026 U.S. Retirement Survey found that, while those who already have a workplace retirement plan feel that a comfortable retirement requires at least $1.2 million saved, “rising costs, credit card debt, and competing expenses” left only 30% of them believing that they might hit the mark.

There are ways, however, to try and boost your retirement savings in the working years you have left.

Once you’ve estimated how much you’ll need to retire based on projected expenses — such as growing health care costs — it’s best to start saving as much as possible as soon as you can. That could include anything from joining an employer pension plan if you haven’t already, to diversifying investments and opening an IRA.

Cutting unnecessary spending and automating your savings are two more quick ways to start, while exploring options for 401(k) catch-up contributions if you’re over 50 could pay off.