<p>I used to work for the patriarch of what was then one of the wealthiest families in the world in a firm that handled affairs of others similarly situated. In this case, the big, big money was initially earned by the FIL. The husband grew up middle class, served with distinction in World War II, went to law school and became partner in a white shoe firm. He did well on his own, but he married the billions. The couple had kids who all had the best educations possible and went on to use family capital to start businesses that became very successful and employed hundreds or more people, with many more service providers making good money from them. The money was always held in trust for the mother in various complicated ways and when she died, control passed to her husband. He provided a staff for the entire extended family in an office in NYC to do things like schedule family member visits at their countless homes, use of the planes, managing the staffs of their homes and offices. That kind of thing. Each kid got a set amount of capital (large amount, but not staggeringly so), along with a great education and a strong work ethic. The kids all grew their initial investments into real fortunes of their own through hard work and expect their kids to do the same.</p>
<p>Another family I worked for was a super-wealthy family, where the father made the fortune coming from abject poverty because he had something that people all over the world wanted to buy. He and his wife are spectacular philanthropists and their kids got good educations, but not at the level of the other family. Dad controls every penny and every aspect of the daily life of his family, none of whom have ever done a thing productive except bear his name.</p>
<p>So it varies.</p>