Warren Buffett lunch bids already top $2 million (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Double-dip recession or not, people will still pay any price to have lunch with Warren Buffett.

The annual charity auction for lunch with the legendary 80-year-old investor began on Sunday night, and by midday on Monday, bids already topped $2 million. The six bids placed thus far have come from two anonymous bidders.

Last year's winner paid $2.63 million for the right to dine with Buffett at the Manhattan steakhouse Smith & Wollensky. The price nearly tripled on the last day, as nine qualified bidders made 77 bids.

Proceeds of the auction benefit the San Francisco charity GLIDE, which runs programs including meals and healthcare for the poor and homeless.

Buffett, chief executive officer of conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway and often called the "Oracle of Omaha," was introduced to GLIDE by his late first wife Susan.

The auction began at 10:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday and runs through the same time this Friday. Bidders can qualify and bid through the website www.LunchWithWarrenBuffett.com.

(Reporting by Ben Berkowitz, editing by Maureen Bavdek and Lisa Von Ahn)

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Charity to auction lunch date with Warren Buffett (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) – If you have a couple million dollars to spare and a taste for steak, Warren Buffett is looking for lunch companions.

The San Francisco charity GLIDE said on Tuesday it would once again auction off a lunch with the legendary investor to raise funds for its programs, which include meals and healthcare for the poor and homeless. The previous 11 auctions have raised nearly $9 million.

Last year's anonymous winner paid $2.63 million for the right to dine with Buffett and seven friends at the Smith & Wollensky steakhouse in midtown Manhattan. The restaurant's lunch menu includes filet mignon starting at $36.50 and salads from $11.50.

Buffett, who was introduced to GLIDE via his late, first wife Susan, is a red meat devotee who encourages shareholders to visit his favorite Omaha steakhouse during his conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting there.

The auction, on eBay's charitable giving site, begins June 5 at 10:30 p.m. EDT and runs through 10:30 p.m. EDT on June 10. Bidding starts at $25,000 and all potential bidders have to prequalify at www.LunchWithWarrenBuffett.com.

Last year, nine qualified bidders made a total of 77 bids, with the price nearly tripling in the last day.

(Reporting by Ben Berkowitz, editing by Maureen Bavdek)

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Jimmy Buffett 'Doing Well' After Falling Off Stage at Sydney Show

Jimmy Buffett suffered a fall during a concert in Sydney, Australia, earlier today, after flashing lights temporarily impaired his vision during the show. Now TMZ reports that the musician is "doing well" and has been released from the hospital.

The 64-year-old 'Margaritaville' singer crashed into a gap at the edge of his stage, where he hit his head, suffering a massive cut.

The concert, during which the accident occurred, was tacked onto the singer's three sold-out shows in honor of Australia Day, which celebrates the first British fleet's arrival in Sydney in 1788.

According to an eyewitness, "It looked like he did a massive face plant after his encore and pretty much didn't get up."

Before the accident, the singer apologized for not performing on the Australian continent more often, insisting that he and his band would return in 2012.

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