The Times: The Rich Have Small, Inauthentic Social Circles

Jeff Bezos, 61, and Lauren Sánchez, 55, will hold their wedding in Venice from June 24 to 26. The wedding has been in preparation for more than two years. Katy Perry and Ivanka Trump will attend, while Oprah Winfrey, model Brooks Nader, and Camila Morrone have also received invitations.
In May 2023, while vacationing in Europe, Bezos proposed on one knee to the Emmy Award-winning journalist. In December 2023, she told Vogue magazine that when Bezos showed her the 30-carat engagement ring, she "got a little dizzy."
According to the Forbes Rich List, Bezos has a total asset of $220 billion, exceeding that of Warren Buffett and the LV family.
We often say, "Entering a wealthy family is like entering a deep sea." Polly Vernon, a columnist for The Times, shares this view. Billionaires' weddings and their fiancées' bachelorette parties are extremely luxurious yet seem tasteless. Moreover, their social circles are narrow, and relationships lack authenticity. "When you move in billionaire circles, you end up surrounded only by others as obscenely wealthy... You associate only with other very rich people—how could they possibly be kind-hearted or witty conversationalists?"
Clay Cockrell, a psychologist specializing in counseling ultra-wealthy individuals, says they form a small group, so their circles are tight-knit. They often wonder, "What do they want from me?" or "How are they trying to manipulate me?" or "They might only be friends with me because of my money."
Even if you have no financial worries for life and all needs are met, you might still struggle with a lack of meaning and ambition. They often feel bored with life. They are more willing to discuss their sex lives or substance abuse issues than their bank accounts. Money is seen as dirty and secretive; talking about it is embarrassing. It is wrapped in guilt, shame, and fear.
They fail miserably at raising well-adjusted children. Overindulging their kids deprives them of the effort and resilience needed to experience success. An overly spoiled child grows into an adult who is self-important but lacks confidence, self-esteem, and perseverance. Their children rarely build friendships with ordinary people, leading to feelings of isolation and entrapment in a narrow circle.