Princess Diana Once Told Warren Buffett That This U.S. President Was the 'Sexiest Man Alive'

Warren Buffett recalled meeting Princess Diana at a party before her 1997 death

Diana, Princess Of Wales
Princess Diana. Photo: Justin GoffUK Press via Getty Images

Princess Diana famously danced with John Travolta at the White House during President Ronald Reagan's time in office, but it was another U.S. president who caught her attention.

In a resurfaced 2012 interview with CNBC, Warren Buffett recalled meeting Princess Diana — and finding himself at a loss for words.

"I was in a room alone one time with Princess Di at a party. Somehow we find ourselves in this library," he said. "In 15 minutes, I don't think I could take it. I had trouble remembering my name, I couldn't figure out anything to say, and it was a total disaster."

Buffett had met Diana once other time, at a party hosted by former Washington Post publisher Katherine Graham "very shortly" before the royal's 1997 death, when she told him something completely unexpected.

"She had been to the White House that day and she had said that Bill Clinton was the sexiest man alive," he said before quipping, "And I didn't ask her who the least sexy guy in the world alive was. I was afraid I might get my play in there."

Bill Clinton
President Bill Clinton in 1997. CARLO ALLEGRI/AFP via Getty

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Princess Diana met with Bill and Hillary Clinton during his presidency, including attending a fundraising breakfast to benefit breast cancer research with the then-first lady in 1996.

Hillary Clinton, Princess Diana
Hillary Clinton and Princess Diana. Time Life Pictures/White House/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty

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When news of Diana's death reached the White House, the president released a statement: "Hillary and I knew Princess Diana, and we were very fond of her. We are profoundly saddened by this tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers tonight are with her family, friends, and especially her children." The first lady also attended Princess Diana's funeral.

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