This is mostly a millenials thing. I don't know why young people are fixated with the Zuckerbers and Bezos of the world. Did I miss something the past 15 years?. I'm in my 40s
Having idols is a young people thing. Young folks just didn't used to attach to business leaders as much as they do now. When I was a kid, typical idols were music stars, actors, sports stars. The Internet created a new category of success for young people, and therefore created a new category of idols for young people.
Geez, we are lucky the Koch brothers build their empire before the social media was a thing, otherwise they will be also considered "influencers and trend setters"
Result of a lack of community, friends and local family support system. Work has become Church, the CEO head of the flock, your role becoming your identity, bowing at the alter of RSUs and total comp.
That sounds like sampling bias rather than a real generational trait. Corporate culture like this isn't universal but it goes back to before many millennials were even born. It's become stronger in cases where it's part of the justification for extremely high compensation but it's an inevitable failure mode for human social systems.