Quote from marketsurfer:
The Sage's image is simply the opposite of the flashy spenders like Trumpster and Uncle Hef. This image pleases his shareholders and fans which are primarily of the "depresion era" mindset. The archetype of the frugal billionaire is very appealing to a certain demographic--- this type of person "buys" into the Sage's image the same way others "buy" into Uncle Hef's.
It's very obvious that this is the case, no hard proof is required, simply observation suffices. How does the public KNOW the Sage drives a Buick and supposedly lives frugally??? They know since this was told to the media by Buffett or his publicist/media relations people. Then, this meme grows getting larger and larger untill the half truths become common knowledge accepted as the total fact.
There are many billionaires who live quietly and no one knows about them--- if the Sage's image was 100% real this would be his persona, not the carefully cultivated "frugal billonaire" media darling he is.
regards,
watermelon surf