For the 18th consecutive year, billionaire investor Warren Buffet auctioned off a lunch date with himself to benefit the Glide Foundation, a San Francisco–based charity that supports the homeless.
Concluding a five-day auction, an anonymous bidder pledged $2.68 million for the opportunity to bring seven friends for a meal with the 86-year-old businessman at Manhattan's Smith & Wollensky steakhouse. According to eBay, this year's auction received at total of 41 offers, and the final bid came in just seconds before the auction's close.
Buffett was introduced to Glide and its mission through his first wife, Susan, who volunteered for the organization. Now, since 2000, he has helped to raise more than $26 million for its efforts.
"We believe in building bridges, not walls," said Glide co-founder Janice Mirikitani. "Warren Buffett and the generous bidders enable us to provide a holistic array of high quality services that meet critical needs, improve lives and elevate the human spirit."
Last year, the winning bid reached $3.46 million, tying the previous 2012 record.
Former fund manager Ted Weschler, who won two consecutive auctions totally $5.3 million in 2010 and 2011, is the only auction winner who Buffett went on to hire.
