As cultural norms change, women who’ve inherited
wealth on the death of their husbands, or daughters
who’ve succeeded their fathers, are becoming increasingly
assertive. We discovered that women inheriting business
empires from their husbands or fathers are far more likely
than their male counterparts to take the initiative, stepping
into the patriarch’s shoes and often driving expansion to
the next level. There are several examples of wives in the
US and Europe who, upon inheriting businesses in traditionally
male-dominated sectors, take aggressive action to
expand these enterprises through acquisition and organic
growth. Furthermore, billionaire patriarchs and multi-generational families are now more frequently preparing
their daughters to play significant roles in their businesses.
Choosing the best successor irrespective of gender is to be
seen as a strategic step to safeguard the family’s interests.