The vast sums of money many of today’s super rich are unlikely to be passed down to many future generations, according to a study by JP Morg...

The vast sums of money many of today’s super rich are unlikely to be passed down to many future generations, according to a study by JP Morgan Private Bank.

Only one in five of the wealthiest is able to maintain a position among the 400 world’s wealthiest over two decades, argues the study.

The findings are based on an analysis of the Forbes magazine rich list which has ranked the world’s wealthiest over the past 20 years.

Although 145 of the original 400 have died or “dispersed” their fortunes among relatives, more than 200 people have “destroyed” their wealth through poor investment decisions.

They include Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s widow, and Estée Lauder, who founded the successful cosmetics business.

Most of the DuPont chemical family has also lost their places in the ranking. And so too have several members of the Rockefeller family and the heirs of William Randolph Hearst.

Only 50 people have maintained their position on the list. They include Warren Buffett, the legendary stock market investor who is the world’s second richest man; William Clay Ford, of the Ford cars family; Roy Disney, of the cartoon and theme park family; and Philip Knight, founder of Nike, the sports shoes maker.

The JP Morgan study said the original super-rich would have remained in the top echelon had their investments or assets grown at the same rate as the stock market.