Li Lu is an investor and businessman who founded Himalaya Capital. He was born in China, but he currently resides in the United States. He studied at Columbia University where he listened to a lecture from Warren Buffett which inspired him to buy his first stocks. There were rumors that Li Lu would take over Warren Buffett's position at Berkshire Hathaway once Buffett steps down but in 2010 Li Lu withdrew himself from consideration for the job.
Li Lu's investment portfolio prominently features Bank of America Corp. as his top holding, accounting for 30.1% of the portfolio. This suggests a strong conviction in the financial sector and solidifies Li Lu's position in this banking giant. Alphabet Inc., a dominant player in the tech industry, also figures heavily in his investments, with Class C ordinary shares making up 20.7% and Class A ordinary shares constituting 17.2%. These investments underscore the value he places on innovative technology firms with sustained growth potential. Additionally, Li Lu has placed substantial stake in Berkshire Hathaway Inc., with its Class B ordinary shares representing 16.6% of his assets; it reflects an affinity for stable conglomerates with diverse interests. Rounding out the top five is East West Bancorp, Inc., comprising 9.5% of his holdings, highlighting confidence in regional banking prospects. Overall, these prominent stocks illustrate Li Lu's strategic financial commitments and provide a window into his approach to market engagement within a diversified investment landscape.
Li Lu was born and raised in Tangshan, China. He is a survivor of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake. In 1985 he went to Nanjing University, majoring in physics, later switching to economics. In 1989, he participated in the student protests in Tiananmen Square (also known as the Tian'anmen Massacre) and became one of the student leaders. He helped organise the students and participated in a hunger strike. He fled the People's Republic of China with the help of the organisation Operation Yellowbird.
He left China to study at Columbia University in the United States. In 1990, he published a book about his experience with China entitled Moving the Mountain: My Life in China.