Billionaire Investor Shares 3 Tips for a Rich and Happy Life

Thomas Kaplan champions gratitude, humility, and conviction as keys to success and fulfillment.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Billionaire investor Thomas Kaplan, who owns the world's largest private collection of Rembrandt artworks, shared three pieces of life advice with Business Insider: be grateful, recognize the limits of your knowledge, and invest with conviction in areas where you have expertise.

Why it matters

Kaplan's insights offer a window into the mindset and values of a highly successful investor, shedding light on how he has achieved both financial success and personal fulfillment. His advice provides a counterpoint to the flashy, materialistic image often associated with the ultra-wealthy.

The details

Kaplan, who co-founded the big cat conservation nonprofit Panthera, said he instilled in his three children the importance of gratitude and giving back, rather than focusing on the trappings of wealth. He also emphasized the need to stay within one's "circle of competence" and be willing to say "I don't know" when asked about topics outside one's expertise. Kaplan's final piece of advice was to invest and speak with conviction in areas where you have a relative advantage.

  • Kaplan spoke to Business Insider ahead of the auction of the Rembrandt drawing "Young Lion Resting" at Sotheby's New York on Wednesday.
  • Kaplan co-owned the Rembrandt drawing, which sold for nearly $18 million, with the proceeds going to Panthera.

The players

Thomas Kaplan

A billionaire investor who owns the world's largest private collection of artworks by Rembrandt van Rijn.

Panthera

The "big cat" conservation nonprofit that Kaplan co-founded.

Alan Rabinowitz

The late leading cat conservationist who co-founded Panthera with Kaplan.

Warren Buffett

The renowned investor who would describe staying within one's "circle of competence" as Kaplan advises.

NovaGold Resources

The company Kaplan serves as chairman of.

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What they’re saying

“No bling, no social media, no cars or watches or any accoutrements of wealth. None.”

— Thomas Kaplan, Billionaire Investor (Business Insider)

“If you are an ungrateful person, you will be miserable and deserve to be.”

— Thomas Kaplan, Billionaire Investor (Business Insider)

“Don't be afraid to say, 'I don't know'. Credibility is hard won, easily lost.”

— Thomas Kaplan, Billionaire Investor (Business Insider)

“If you're going to go down, go down for something that wasn't flippant, but was thought through.”

— Thomas Kaplan, Billionaire Investor (Business Insider)

“When you have a relative advantage, push the pedal to the metal. If you don't have a relative advantage, don't play.”

— Thomas Kaplan, Billionaire Investor (Business Insider)

What’s next

The Rembrandt drawing "Young Lion Resting" that Kaplan co-owned was auctioned at Sotheby's New York on Wednesday, with the proceeds going to Panthera.

The takeaway

Kaplan's advice to live with gratitude, humility, and conviction offers a refreshing perspective on how to achieve both financial success and personal fulfillment, challenging the stereotypical image of the ultra-wealthy.