Warren Buffett Bought It In The 80s - Now It's A Dividend Goldmine

Berkshire Hathaway founder Warren Buffett is a savvy investor whom many look to when choosing where to put their money. Some of Buffett's smartest investments have made him millions over the years, and one stock he bought in the late '80s is now a dividend goldmine. For those looking to invest in some of the best dividend stocks for long-term income, shares in Coca-Cola — one of the few corporations that can claim it's increased its dividend every year for the last 63 years — could be an excellent option to add to your portfolio. In 2025 alone, the beverage conglomerate paid out an eye-popping $8.8 billion in dividends. As of March 2026, Coca-Cola shareholders receive a quarterly dividend of 53 cents per share, a 4% increase over the 51 cents per share it paid out in 2025.

Although most people probably don't own enough Coca-Cola shares to make a living off of investment dividend income from this company on its own, Warren Buffett has an impressive number of shares that make up 11.54% of his portfolio, per Stockcircle. The investing tycoon owns 400 million shares of Coca-Cola, which he bought for an average closing price of $38.75 per share. Buffett owns 9.3% of Coca-Cola's outstanding shares, which, according to The Motley Fool, generates Berkshire Hathaway $816 million in passive income. While not everyone will have the capital to buy millions of shares up front, Buffett has been buying and selling large portions of Coca-Cola stock for decades and continues to reap the benefits.

Taking money tips and tricks from Warren Buffett could lead to a successful investment strategy, but one piece of advice he gives investors is to trust their own instincts. So, whether Coca-Cola is a good investment today really depends on what you're looking for in a company. With that said, Coca-Cola has impressive brand recognition that not many companies can claim. With over 200 brands and a worldwide reach, Coca-Cola is a profitable business model that continues to grow. The beverage company had $11.8 billion in revenue for Q4 of 2025 and $47.9 billion in revenue for the full year.

Of its 200 brands, 32 Coca-Cola products earn the company at least $1 billion in revenue. This is just one reason some people, like Buffett, see this stock as one to buy and hold. Of course, the price Buffett paid for his shares in the late '80s was much less than what a share of Coca-Cola costs now, so it's important to weigh your options before you buy in. As of March 2026, Coca-Cola shares are trading in the mid-$70 range, which is only a moderate rise from the roughly $70 shares sold for in March 2025. This performance could mean that those looking for short-term gains from a stock with impressive year-over-year growth may want to direct their capital elsewhere. However, if you want high-paying dividend stock with the potential for long-term payouts, then Coca-Cola at least has history in its favor.