United for a Fair Economy analyzed the 400 individuals and 50 families on the 1997 Forbes 400 list and grouped those listed into five categories borrowed from our national pastime. Those "born on home plate" inherited their way onto the Forbes 400. At the other end of the spectrum, those "born in the batters box" had no discernible special advantages. Keeping with the baseball rule that "the tie goes to the runner," the study team gave list members the benefit of the doubt. For example, if researchers couldn't be sure whether a member belonged on second or third base, they assigned him to second base. Initial analysis of the 1997 Forbes 400 shows:
42 % Born on Home Plate -- inherited sufficient wealth to rank among the Forbes 400. This percentage is higher than that listed by Forbes for inheritors. The reason: Forbes listed as "self-made" people who actually inherited substantial sums or property and then later built that stake into a greater fortune. One example is Philip Anschutz (1997 net worth: $5.2 billion) who is listed as "self-made" even though he inherited a $500-million oil and gas field.
6 % Born on Third Base --inherited substantial wealth in excess of $50 million or a large and prosperous company and grew this initial fortune into membership in the Forbes 400.
7 % Born on Second Base -- inherited a medium-sized business or wealth of more than $1 million or received substantial start-up capital for a business from a family member.
14 % Born on First Base -- biography indicates wealthy or upper-class background that was to our knowledge less than $1 million, or received some start-up capital from a family member. Due to the study team's conservative coding rule, it is likely that some of those listed as born on first base actually belong on second or third base.
31 % Born in the Batter's Box --individuals and families whose parents did not have great wealth or own a business with more than a few employees.
http://www.faireconomy.org/press_room/1997/born_on_third_base_sources_of_wealth_of_1997_forbes_400
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