---
title: Here's What These 15 Successful People Eat for Breakfast
description: A roundup of what 15 successful people eat daily for breakfast.
authors:
  - name: Gabriela Fernandez
    url: https://money.com/author/gabriela-fernandez/
    at_money_since: 2017
    articles: 4
    covers:
      - Lifestyle
    former_staff: true
published: '2017-07-18T16:30:12.000Z'
modified: '2017-07-18T16:30:12.000Z'
section: Lifestyle
tags:
  - breakfast
  - Business
  - Business
  - Food Facts
  - People
  - successful
word_count: 957
canonical: https://money.com/heres-what-these-15-incredibly-successful-people-eat-for-breakfast/
type: Article
source: structured-blocks
---

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![170717_Successful People Breakfast- featured image](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_succesful-people-breakfast-featured-image-copy.jpg)

From day one, we're told breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but with busy schedules, social media profiles in need of constant care and maintenance and new plotlines of *Game of Thrones* to argue about - who has time?

Extremely successful people, that's who.

Check out what some of the world's biggest names eat for breakfast each day — and take inspiration for your early morning routine.

## 1\. Warren Buffett

![Inside The [f500link]Berkshire Hathaway[/f500link] Inc. Annual General Meeting](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_successful-people-breakfast-warren-buffett.jpg)
*.*

Every morning for the past 54 years, billionaire Warren Buffett hits up McDonald’s. He orders one of three items from the fast food chain and swears he never spends over $3.17.

Buffett will pay $3.17 for a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit sandwich or $2.95 for a sausage, egg and cheese sandwich.

“When I'm not feeling quite so prosperous, I might go with the $2.61, which is two sausage patties, and then I put them together and pour myself a Coke,” he [says](http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/30/warren-buffetts-breakfast-never-costs-more-than-317.html) in the HBO documentary “Becoming Warren Buffett.”

* * *

## 2\. Oprah

![Disney's D23 EXPO 2017](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_successful-people-breakfast-oprah-winfrey.jpg)
*Actor Oprah Winfrey of A Wrinkle in Time took part today in the Walt Disney Studios live action presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2017 in Anaheim, CA.*

Since leaving her talk show, Oprah Winfrey, has been a TV producer, a Weight Watchers spokesperson and investor, and gotten back into acting. She may be branching out professionally, but she told [People](http://people.com/bodies/oprah-diet-food-diary-wine-bread/) she has her “usual” for breakfast everyday.

“I do an egg, toast, because I love bread, and maybe an eighth of an avocado. Instead of coffee, chai tea,” she says.

* * *

## 3\. Nick Saban

![NCAA Football: SEC Championship-Alabama vs Florida](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_succesful-people-breakfast-nick-saban.jpg)
*Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban claps during the first quarter of the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome.*

The University of Alabama’s head football coach considered to be top of the class as far as college football goes. So you shouldn't bat an eye when you learn that [his breakfast of choice](http://www.gq.com/story/coach-nick-saban-alabama-maniac#ixzz2dBOq9Q7F) is two Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies.

* * *

## 4\. Michelle Obama

![MTV's 2017 College Signing Day With Michelle Obama - Inside](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_successful-people-breakfast-michelle-obama.jpg)
*Former First Lady Michelle Obama*

Former First Lady Michelle Obama not only advocates for healthy lifestyles, but has one herself. When [*EatingWell Magazine*](http://www.nbcnewyork.com/blogs/go-healthy-ny/What-Does-Michelle-Obama-Eat-for-Breakfast-123251408.html) asked her what she had for breakfast, Obama said she had “scrambled eggs, turkey sausage and grapefruit” that morning.

* * *

## 5\. Ina Garten

![Late Night with Seth Meyers - Season 4](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_succesful-people-breakfast-ina-garten.jpg)
*Ina Garten and host Seth Meyers*

If you've ever watched *Barefoot Contessa* Ina Garten’s Food Network shows, you know her recipes aren't for novices. But good news: she keeps her breakfasts simple.

"I've had the same thing for breakfast every day for 10 years," she told [*Bon Appetit*](http://www.bonappetit.com/columns/my-morning-routine/article/ina-garten-favorite-foods). "Coffee and McCann's Quick Cooking Irish oatmeal with lots of salt." Why salt? “I don't want it to taste like wallpaper paste,” Garten added.

* * *

## 6\. Nancy Pelosi

![Making AIDS History: A Roadmap For Ending The Epidemic](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_succesful-people-breakfast-nancy-pelosi.jpg)
*Decomcratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.*

With as busy as she is, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s mornings start off sweet. She has eaten dark chocolate ice cream for breakfast everyday for years. "I don't see it as different from having a cup of coffee," Pelosi told [Food & Wine](http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/nancy-pelosi-traces-her-food-heritage-risotto-eats-dark-chocolate-ice-cream-breakfast-every-day). No word on whether sprinkles are involved.

* * *

## 7\. Beyoncé

![59th GRAMMY Awards - Press Room](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_successful-people-breakfast-beyonce.jpg)
*Beyonce poses in the press room at the 59th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.*

When you're busy breaking the internet with [posts](http://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/celebrity/beyonce-posts-first-photo-newborn-twins-earth-goes-wild-n782841) of your newborn twins, naturally you'll want to start the day off right.

Last year, Queen Bey revealed to *[Shape](http://www.delish.com/food-news/a46984/what-beyonce-really-eats-in-a-day/)* what her go-to breakfast options are.

"I always have breakfast—say, scrambled egg whites, a vegetable smoothie, or whole-grain cereal with lowfat milk."

* * *

## 8\. Mark Cuban

![Mark Cuban](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_successful-people-breakfast-mark-cuban-2.jpg)
*Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban during an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, in Salt Lake City.*

The *Shark Tank* judge and Dallas Mavericks owner [swears by](https://www.dmagazine.com/health-fitness/2014/05/mark-cuban/) Alyssa’s Cookies as his go-to breakfast.

“I live on [these cookies](http://www.alyssasbakery.com/healthy-cookies/). They are 190 calories each—high protein, high fiber, low carbs. I eat two and have a cup of coffee. I loved them so much I invested in the company.”

* * *

## 9\. Arianna Huffington

![Wearable Art Gala - Arrivals](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_successful-people-breakfast-arianna-huffington.jpg)
*Arianna Huffington in Los Angeles, California.*

Huffington Post founder and current CEO of Thrive Global Arianna Huffington keeps her breakfast simple and specific. Huffington told [CNN](http://money.cnn.com/interactive/technology/15-questions-with-arianna-huffington/index.html) she chooses “fresh fruit, poached eggs and two hot cups of Bulletproof coffee” for her first meal of the day.

* * *

## 10\. Emma Watson

![2017 MTV Movie And TV Awards - Press Room](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_successful-people-breakfast-emma-watson.jpg)
*Actress Emma Watson poses in the press room at the 2017 MTV Movie and TV Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on May 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.*

In between acting, modeling and serving as a UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador, Emma Watson still makes time for breakfast.

“I make a really amazing egg tortilla in the morning. It's my special thing. I make guacamole, salsa, and scrambled eggs, and then I cook the tortilla. It's pretty simple, really, but yummy,” Watson [told Marie Claire](http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/a7556/whats-on-emma-watson/). Dumbledore would approve.

* * *

## 11\. Katia Beauchamp

![Birchbox Road Trip Atlanta - Day 1](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_successful-people-breakfast-katia-beauchamp.jpg)
*Birchbox CEO and co-founder Katia Beauchamp attends the Birchbox Road Trip on August 7, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.*

Birchbox CEO and cofounder Katia Beauchamp starts her day at 6:45am, but in between taking care of her twin boys and prepping for the day, doesn't get around eating until 9. " I eat breakfast once I get to work – usually a Chobani yogurt," she [said](http://thenewsette.com/daily-bites/katia-beauchamp-birchbox/).

* * *

## 12\. Karl Lagerfeld

![Street Style : Paris Fashion Week - Menswear Fall/Winter 2017/2018 : Day Four](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_successful-people-breakfast-karl-lagerfeld.jpg)
*Karl Lagerfeld is seen, outside the Dior show, at the Grand Palais, during Paris Fashion Week Menswear Fall/Winter 2017/2018, on January 21, 2017 in Paris, France.*

The 83-year-old fashion legend [says](http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/a865/24-hours-with-karl-lagerfeld-0412/) the first thing he does when he gets up is have breakfast.

“I have two protein shakes made for me by my doctor —they have a chocolate taste and no sugar, of course—and steamed apples. That's all. I don't like anything else in the morning.”

* * *

## 13\. Hugh Hefner

![60 Playmate Bunnies Celebrate Playboy's 60th Anniversary](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_successful-people-breakfast-hugh-hefner.jpg)
*Hugh Hefner poses at Playboy's 60th Anniversary special event on January 16, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.*

The 91-year-old *Playboy* founder's executive chef [told](https://www.yahoo.com/celebrity/blogs/now/inside-playboy-mansion-kitchen-230251279.html) Yahoo that he has a catalog of 31 meals that he can choose from. However, his daily breakfast order isn’t a 5-star meal. Everyday at 11:30am, Hefner has “a jelly doughnut from Los Angeles donut shop Winchell's and half a Star Ruby grapefruit.”

* * *

## 14\. Diane Von Furstenberg

![Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala - Outside Arrivals](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_successful-people-breakfast-diane-von-furstenberg.jpg)
*Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg enters the Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2017 in New York City.*

Another yogurt supporter! Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, known for her iconic [wrap dress](http://stylecaster.com/what-inspired-diane-von-furstenbergs-iconic-wrap-dress/)**,** [says](http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/designers/a945/24-hours-with-diane-von-furstenberg-0313/), "For breakfast, I eat fruit—pomegranates, kiwi, papaya—sometimes with yogurt and black coffee.”

* * *

## 15\. Sara Blakely

![Sara Blakely And Alice + Olivia Celebrate The Launch Of "The Belly Art Project"](https://img.money.com/2017/07/170717_successful-people-breakfast-sara-blakely2.jpg)
*Founder of Spanx Sara Blakely and Alice + Olivia celebrate the launch of "The Belly Art Project" on October 10, 2016 in New York City.*

Spanx founder Sara Blakely [says](http://sarasnotebook.com/2016/06/06/the-career-code-whowhatwear-sits-down-with-sara/) she tries to make a smoothie every morning for breakfast.

“Here are my ingredients: a chocolate protein powder pack, half an avocado, two dates (dates are the key—they add sweetness and make everything else tolerable), kale, a full lime juiced, chia seeds, frozen wild blueberries, four to five frozen dark cherries, two scoops of ice, cold water, basil, fresh mint leaves, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Walnuts on the top. Eat it with a spoon.”

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