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A charity lunch auction that once belonged almost entirely to Wall Street suddenly had the internet talking basketball. A mystery bidder paid $9,000,100 this week for the chance to dine with Warren Buffett. Still, the involvement of Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry gave the decades-old tradition a completely different spotlight. By the end of the auction, the unanswered question surrounding the buyer had become almost as fascinating as the price itself.

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The winning bid officially closed Thursday after a weeklong eBay battle. While the bidder’s identity has not been revealed, the package includes a private lunch experience featuring Buffett and the Currys, blending billionaire investing culture with one of sports’ most recognizable couples. That unusual combination is exactly what pushed the story far beyond a typical charity fundraiser.

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On June 24, one mystery winner and seven guests will sit down in Omaha, Nebraska, with Buffet and the Currys. Meanwhile, the $9 million winning bid keeps climbing. Buffett promised matching donations for both charities, bringing the total close to $27 million. The money will support the Glide Foundation and Eat. Learn. Play. As a result, one lunch turned into a massive charity moment packed with star power, intrigue, and plenty of attention online.

“We’re overwhelmed with gratitude for this opportunity, which reflects a shared belief that when different generations and institutions come together with purpose, we can create deeper and more lasting impact for the people who need it most,” Steph said in a statement.

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Meanwhile, Berkshire, Glide, and Eat. Learn. Play. stayed quiet when contacted for comment after business hours. Now, Glide has spent years working in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, helping people facing homelessness, poverty, and substance abuse during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

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On the other hand, Warren Buffett quietly turned one annual tradition into a fundraising machine for the nonprofit. Across 21 charity auctions held between 2000 and 2022, the legendary investor helped generate nearly $53.2 million for Glide. As a result, a simple lunch invitation slowly became one of the most fascinating charity events tied to a billionaire anywhere in the world.

Interestingly enough, just as Ayesh and Stephen Curry have long believed, Warren Buffett has long believed that businesses and nonprofits can team up to create real change.

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Ayesha & Stephen Curry’s goals align with Warren Buffett’s

Warren Buffett’s famous lunch auctions began in 2000 and ran yearly, pausing briefly during the pandemic. Over time, they became a high-stakes tradition, with bids crossing $1 million from 2008 onward. Eventually, the run ended after a $19 million lunch in 2022. Later in 2024, a separate attempt raised $1.5 million for a lunch with Marc Benioff, but it did not continue as a lasting format.

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Buffett later brought Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry into the 2026 edition after reaching out to them earlier. Their foundation, Eat.Learn.Play, started in 2019 in Oakland, California. It focuses on children’s well-being through food, education, and sports. The foundation works closely with Oschools in the Oakland Unified School District. It also supports meals, reading programs, tutoring, and improved play spaces for kids.

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Moreover, Ayesha and Stephen Curry’s goals align with Warren Buffett’s because all three focus on long-term impact through simple, scalable giving. Buffett builds large-scale charity impact through auctions and matching donations. Meanwhile, the Currys invest in direct community uplift for children. Together, they connect wealth, sport, and education into one shared mission through nutrition, literacy, and opportunity.

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What started as a simple charity lunch quickly evolved into a global spotlight moment. A mystery bidder secured access to Warren Buffett and the Currys with over $9 millions, setting off huge buzz online. Meanwhile, the event ties together legacy philanthropy, youth-focused impact, and shared purpose across generations. As a result, one dinner now reflects a larger mission built on education, sport, and community change.

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Written by

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Adrija Mahato

2,582 Articles

Adrija Mahato is a Senior Basketball Writer at EssentiallySports, leading live NBA coverage and specializing in breaking news and major developments. With experience covering both basketball and Formula 1, she brings cross-sport agility and a steady newsroom presence to her reporting. As part of the EssentiallySports' Journalistic Excellence Program, a professional development initiative where writers are trained by industry experts to enhance their reporting and editorial skills, Adrija delivers speed and class. As a tech graduate, Adrija has a strong understanding of basketball analytics, which she incorporates into her storytelling to provide deeper insights. Over the past year, her standout NBA coverage includes the aftermath of Team USA’s run at the Paris 2024 Olympics, standout performances by LeBron James and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, key trades involving the Celtics and Warriors, Jayson Tatum’s record-setting game, and features such as her exploration of Carmelo Anthony’s career and what defines greatness without a championship.

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Tanay Sahai

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