@gouf78, I know the parents and the bride pretty well. Very strong work ethic among the parents and all of the kids. He is well past retirement age (above 70 and maybe closer to 75) and works very, very hard. I think one kid works in his business but the others I know work in high-end high jobs.
Was it good? Well, they were likely to get the money eventually, but upon the death of the 2nd wife. Why not give it earlier when it can affect their lives. Back to someone’s comment, the gift was made with warm hands and not cold ones.
I don’t know that they earned it. The kids I know do not behave in a particularly entitled way.
I don’t see the parent-child relationship as transactional in this family but I expect that the parents would want the kids to feel grateful for the hand-up they had received. I don’t know how the kids actually feel.
Aftermath? All the kids seems happily married and ambitious in their careers (maybe not the one who works in the business). Several grandkids were flower children.
If I had accumulated that much wealth (and I know the parents have done some major philanthropy as well), I think I would give it to the kids but maybe a little bit later. I would not want a kid thinking that they didn’t have to apply themselves, but if they have the proper work ethic, I think I’d rather make it easier for them rather than wait until they are in their 50s or 60s or 70s before they inherit.