Charlie was born in Omaha, Nebraska on January 1, 1924, graduated from Omaha Central High School in 1941, attended the University of Michigan and Cal Tech (under Air Force auspices), served as 2nd Lieutenant (Meteorologist) in the Air Force in World War II, and received a J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the Harvard Law School in 1948. He practiced law in Los Angeles from 1948 to 1965, during which time he helped found the law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson (in 1962). Since 1965, he has been engaged in a variety of businesses, after 1975 primarily as an officer and director of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and various subsidiaries but also at Daily Journal Corporation (publisher of California’s leading newspaper for lawyers). He is Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (under Warren E. Buffett) and Chairman of Daily Journal Corporation. The public companies of which he is a director are: Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Daily Journal Corporation, and Costco Wholesale Corporation.

Became a Trustee of Good Samaritan Hospital from 1979 and has served as Chairman from November 1987 to December 2020. Trustee (and former Chairman) of Harvard-Westlake School 1969 to date. Trustee and Chief Financial Officer of Planned Parenthood, Los Angeles, 1967-1993 (approximately). Founder and President of The Alfred C. Munger Foundation.