Old Money, Enduring Wisdom: How Family Intangibles Secure Generational Wealth
Isn’t it too bad your grandfather only left you money?
A long-form Insight by Vibha Vallabh on the invisible threads that hold generational wealth together. Article updated in July 2025.
What sustains wealth across generations?
When we talk about legacy, we often picture land, capital, or inheritance. But the truth is, lasting wealth has less to do with money, and everything to do with the people behind it.
In this powerful Insight, Ellora Private Office’s Vibha Vallabh explores what truly sustains family wealth across generations. Drawing on historical examples from families like Rothschild, Peugeot, and Beam, she makes the case that intangible assets; values, work ethic, emotional intelligence, and cultural identity, are the foundation of enduring prosperity.
Lessons from old wealth families
From bourbon-makers in Kentucky to industrial dynasties in Europe and Japan, the same patterns emerge. Families that continue to thrive across generations aren’t just those with financial capital; they’re the ones who invest in education, nurture leadership, encourage adaptability, and instil shared values. They understand that talent must be developed, not assumed. That unity doesn’t happen by accident. And that wealth without purpose rarely lasts.
The importance of family governance
The article examines the role of formal governance, too, from family constitutions to councils and succession plans. It also unpacks how modern family offices are preparing for the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history, with many turning to values-based strategies to ensure a smooth transition.
Preparing the next generation
Vibha’s Insight offers practical considerations for high-net-worth families navigating modern complexities. How do you prepare heirs to carry both responsibility and identity? How do you honour tradition while adapting to change? And how do you turn wealth into a force for purpose; not just for philanthropy, but for family cohesion?
Wealth that can't be measured
One answer is transparency. Another is education. But above all, it’s a commitment to building the kind of wealth that can’t be measured on a balance sheet.
Whether you’re part of a first-generation success story or stewarding wealth across multiple branches and continents, this Insight is a valuable resource for protecting and futureproofing what matters most.
Read the full Insight by Vibha Vallabh
Download the complete article as a PDF to explore the full research, stories, and strategies for sustaining wealth across generations.