Silent Wealth Untold Secrets of Wealth and Success Among the Old Money Elite Part Two: Wealth and Success, #2

By Sarah Westwood

The Second Part of the Silent Wealth Untold Secrets of Wealth and Success Among the Old Money Elite revealing the Financial Secrets of "Old Money" Families!

How do the world's wealthiest families preserve and grow their fortunes for centuries? 

What financial strategies allow them to pass down their wealth from generation to generation?

This book continues the exploration of the "old money" world, delving deeper into wealth preservation mechanisms, hidden investment tactics, and asset protection methods. Unlike the first part, this volume focuses specifically on the financial management secrets of the elite, covering topics such as trust funds, offshore accounts, tax havens, and philanthropy as a tool of influence.

What's Inside?

? Why "old money" families always invest in art – Art is not just a symbol of wealth but a strategic asset.
? Trust funds and wealth transfer – How the elite ensure their fortunes endure for future generations.
? Philanthropy as a tool of influence – Charity is not always selfless.
? Swiss banking secrets – Why "old money" prefers Switzerland.
? The seven stages of wealth – How money travels through generations.
? The economics of monarchies – The hidden financial mechanisms of royal families.
? Offshore accounts and tax havens – Where and how wealthy families protect their money.

This book is your key to understanding how the most powerful families manage their wealth.

Perfect for:
✔ Investors and entrepreneurs seeking long-term wealth
✔ Researchers of financial elites and wealth transfer strategies
✔ Enthusiasts of stories about wealth, power, and secret success strategies

Uncover the financial secrets of the elite and learn how to preserve wealth for generations!

 

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sarah Westwood
• Release date: Feb 13, 2025
• ISBN: 9798230873884

Sarah Westwood

Sarah Weswood is a fashion expert and author, with a career dedicated to exploring the rich cultural heritage and innovative designs of the world's most iconic luxury brands. Through their writing, Sarah Weswood seeks to uncover the stories behind these brands and foster a deeper appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into creating each piece.

Book preview

Sarah Westwood

Copyright Page

© 2025  Sarah Westwood

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

First Edition

Wealth whispers. True power doesn’t need to announce itself.

The Finance Secrets

of

Old Money Families 

Wealth is not just about money. It is power, influence, access to information, and the ability to shape the future.

However, getting rich is one thing, while preserving and growing wealth across generations is another.

The families of old money have mastered this art to perfection, turning capital into something far greater than just a bank balance.

In this book, we will delve into the financial secrets of the world's wealthiest families, exploring their investment strategies, asset protection methods, and unique ways of transferring wealth from generation to generation.

We will examine why old money always invests in art, the advantages of trust funds, how philanthropy can serve not only altruistic purposes but also as a tool of influence, and why Swiss banks remain a symbol of financial stability.

This book is the second part of the research begun in Silent Wealth: The Finance Secrets of Old Money Families and continues to uncover the mechanisms that allow the elite to maintain their position in the world.

If you are interested in the strategies of the wealthiest dynasties, this book will help you see the world of finance through their eyes.

––––––––

Are you ready to uncover the secrets of wealth that are rarely spoken about openly?

Then let’s begin

––––––––

Chapter 1

––––––––

Why Old Money Families Always Invest

In Art

Close your eyes for a moment and envision yourself nestled comfortably within the ranks of a wealthy family. Yes, indeed—imagine a reality where your bank balance doesn’t just hold millions but rather billions.

Now ask yourself

What would you do if you were presented with this scenario and thus had a seemingly infinite number of financial possibilities?

Would you opt for world cruises, a massive collection of exotic cars, or perhaps dive headfirst into philanthropy—funding innovations and research for a better tomorrow? Maybe you’d consider investments in burgeoning tech startups or in safe, reliable blue-chip stocks.

The choices are myriad, and each comes with its own set of pros and cons. One investment avenue, though, has stood the test of time and consistently charmed the wealthy—art. Now, this is not just because they enjoy a beautifully crafted painting or a delicately sculpted statue, but there’s something more profound at play.

The wealthy have a somewhat obsessive relationship with fine art, and the reasons go beyond simple aesthetics or the thrill of collecting rare pieces.

In this chapter , we’ll explore the compelling, high-stakes world of art from the eyes of the world’s wealthiest families. We’ll delve into the tactics and strategies they meticulously employ not just to safeguard their vast fortunes but to grow them as well.

First, let’s turn back the hands of time a bit and recognize that art as a form of wealth storage is as old as the Tuscan hills.

In the Golden Age of the Renaissance, the patronage system saw wealthy families throughout Europe sponsoring artists whom we still admire to this day. Imagine the grand city of Florence during the Renaissance, around the 14th to 17th century. Amidst its cobblestone streets, bustling markets, and towering cathedrals stood the proud and formidable Medici family.

Now, these chaps weren’t just lovers of luxury—they were clever, cunning financiers who found a crafty way to retain and multiply their wealth. How? Through art.

Consider this: the Medici bankrolled geniuses like Michelangelo and da Vinci, commissioning timeless masterpieces from them. These creations were not just expressions of beauty; they were also tangible, long-lasting representations of their vast wealth.

And trust me, we’re not talking about a few florins here and there. Let’s consider Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, for instance—commissioned by the Medici family in the late 15th century.

This glorious work of art would have cost them several hundred florins—a substantial sum at the time, equivalent to perhaps tens of thousands of dollars today. However, art being art, the value of such masterpieces does not just hold—it escalates immensely.

In the 21st century, if the Medicis still held Annunciation, it would likely be worth in excess of hundreds of millions of dollars, given the astronomical sums we've seen for other works by Da Vinci—such as Salvator Mundi, which went for an eye-watering 437 million .

And there's the rub—the Medici were not merely commissioning art; they were amassing solid assets that, over time, appreciated in value while showcasing their economic prowess and cultural sophistication. It was a long game—a systematic investment strategy of the highest order, as shrewd as it was aesthetically pleasing.

Thus, let's take a Black Mirror-style memory jump to the here and now and run the tally on the global art market. It has a staggering total worth of $64.1 billion in 2022, according to the bigwigs at Art Basel and UBS.

The offspring of these same ultra-wealthy families still strut their stuff in the global art corridors, their hefty wallets making more than just a bulge.

Let’s talk specifics and look at, say, Dmitry Rolov, the Russian billionaire—one of the wealthiest men alive, a tycoon who has had his fingers in many pies, from fertilizers to football clubs. Known for his titanic fortune and a love for art that matches it, Rolov once owned Da Vinci's Salvator Mundi—a depiction of Christ as the Savior of the World. This masterpiece was, and remains, one of the most expensive paintings ever sold.

In 2017, he sold it for a brain-bending 537 million in 2023 to none other than the Saudis—who've got more than just a little change to spare.

Moving on, we have David Geffen, the American business magnate, producer, and philanthropist—a man who practically personifies success in the entertainment industry. Geffen once owned Willem de Kooning’s Interchange. This masterpiece of abstract expressionism—a riotous explosion of color and form—went under the hammer in a private sale.

The buyer? Kenneth C. Griffin, hedge fund honcho and one of the wealthiest people on the planet. The price? A cool, casual 370 million (2023, US).

Thus, art, ladies and gentlemen, has always been—and