[pm90]

Most of the richest people in the US got their wealth through inheritance.

[missedthecue]

Most? 80% of US millionaires are first generation according to NYT and almost all billionaires in the US are first generation.

[kevin_thibedeau]

A 1 millionaire isn't exceptionally rich. They still have to work to get by unless they decamp for a cheaper country.

[jeffbee]

People think of the people at the very top of the list, who are mostly late-20th-century entrepreneurs, but you're right: the bulk of the American rich are people like the Waltons, Mars's, and other heirs.