How not to spoil children and raise them rich and successful: 4 secrets of the Rockefeller family

It is believed that nature rests on children, and the sons and daughters of rich people, spoiled by luxury in childhood, easily squander family capital. There is a lot of evidence for this. Just look at the Vanderbilts, Carnegie, Astor. A century ago, these names were synonymous with the concept of "supercapital", but today there is nothing left of the once multimillion-dollar fortunes. However, there are also exceptions. The Rockefeller family is one of them.

The first official dollar billionaire in human history, John D. Rockefeller left behind a large family. Today it unites over 200 members. The heirs of John and his wife, Laura Shelman Rockefeller, retained significant capital: in 2016, their fortune was estimated at.

The Rockefellers also have other wealth - surprisingly warm family relations, without public scandals, lawsuits and tragedies typical for most dynasties.

In a recent interview with the American channel CNBC, David Rockefeller Jr., chairman of Rockefeller & Co., revealed the family secrets that helped the Rockefellers stay rich and close. They apply to any family that wants to maintain a cordial relationship despite all the financial storms.

1. Have family reunions more often

They help you feel part of a larger whole. And children get used to the fact that their inner circle includes not only parents, but also uncles, aunts, cousins, cousins, common grandparents. On the one hand, they are familiar, funny and understandable, and on the other hand, they are successful and famous. This is a good role model that helps you realize that success is just around the corner.

We hold family gatherings twice a year. Often more than 100 family members are in the same room, attending, for example, a Christmas dinner.

David Rockefeller Jr.

And these are not all family gatherings that the Rockefellers practice. In addition to general dinners, relatives regularly hold events called family forums. Every family member over 21 years old is invited to attend. During these meetings, relatives tell each other about new projects and emerging business ideas, share news from the lives of children, inform about upcoming weddings and expected replenishment, discuss education and career opportunities.

Such family forums are a place where everyone is in sight and everyone can trust each other. “It makes each of us feel like a part of the family,” concludes David Rockefeller Jr.

2. Keep family history to keep generations connected

In part, the Rockefellers implement this principle through family estates, where family members can come at any time to communicate with their past.

“These are the houses where our family grew up from generation to generation. I can return to the place where my great-grandfather lived 100 years ago. Much has remained untouched there. I go into his room, into his office, walk along the paths along which he walked. I see how he lived, in what conditions his children grew up, what toys his grandchildren played when they came here for the holidays. This makes it possible to sharply feel the connection that exists between all of us,”says David.

By the way, each Rockefeller thoroughly knows his pedigree. This also enhances the family attraction.

3. Let your kids be independent

An important principle of success, Rockefeller also considers the absence of such a phenomenon as a family business. In 1911, the first and only family-owned company, Standard Oil, at the request of the US government, was divided into small firms, which were taken over by John's children and grandchildren.

I think we were lucky in this. We did not have a common cause in which everyone would begin to pull the blanket over themselves. Thanks to this, we managed not to quarrel over business.

David Rockefeller Jr.

Business separation is practiced to this day. When the next generation of children grows up, parents do not mold them into successors of the family business. Every child knows that he can choose any area for self-realization and start something new. A large family will unconditionally support him in this.

4. Explain how important it is to lend a shoulder to those who need help

The stronger and richer you are, the more you should invest in helping others. This Rockefeller family principle goes back over 100 years.

A marble stone at the colossal Rockefeller Center in New York is engraved with the words of the patriarch John D. Rockefeller's credo:

I believe that every right implies responsibility; every opportunity is a debt; every possession is a duty.

David Rockefeller Jr. operates with slightly different words: "To whom much is given, a lot will be required from that." Every child in the Rockefeller family knows this phrase about responsibility and duty to help those in need. Children are attracted to charity from an early age. For example, David himself made his first informed donation at the age of 10. And he continues to be a philanthropist.

In total, the family's charitable foundations (Rockefeller Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund and David Rockefeller Fund) have approximately $ 5 billion.