Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common stock and capital in excess of par value	Accumulated other comprehensive income	Retained earnings	Treasury Stock	Total Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity	Noncontrolling interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008		$ 27,141	$ 3,954	$ 78,172		$ 109,267	$ 4,440
Net earnings	8,441			8,055		8,055	386
Other comprehensive income, net			13,729			13,729	199
Issuance of common stock and other transactions		172				172
Changes in noncontrolling interests:
Interests acquired and other transactions		(231)	110			(121)	(342)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009		27,082	17,793	86,227		131,102	4,683
Net earnings	13,494			12,967		12,967	527
Other comprehensive income, net			2,789			2,789	9
Issuance of common stock and other transactions		11,096				11,096
Changes in noncontrolling interests:
Interests acquired and other transactions		(637)	1			(636)	397
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	162,934	37,541	20,583	99,194		157,318	5,616
Net earnings	10,746			10,254		10,254	492
Other comprehensive income, net			(3,005)			(3,005)	(107)
Issuance and repurchase of common stock		355			(67)	288
Changes in noncontrolling interests:
Interests acquired and other transactions		(81)	76			(5)	(1,890)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 168,961	$ 37,815	$ 17,654	$ 109,448	$ (67)	$ 164,850	$ 4,111