Who will eventually fill Oracle of Omaha's shoes?

No issue received more attention at Berkshire Hathaway Inc's annual shareholder meeting than who would replace Warren Buffett when he dies or decides to stop running the company.

"I can't help but think it will affect me," said Vicki Roberts, 49, a shareholder and Dallas insurance saleswoman. "Berkshire is a really special corporation. When the first generation passes, it means change."

Speaking to a record 35,000 shareholders Buffett said he still has three internal candidates to succeed him as chief executive, including one whom the board would install immediately if needed, and four inside and outside the company to follow him as chief investment officer.