The Old Money Book

I had an enjoyable conversation with a dear friend recently. She is quite a character: formerly a hard-nosed entrepreneur and sparkling Monaco socialite, she began life as the youngest daughter in a prominent French family.

After a rigorous and no nonsense education at a Swiss boarding school, circumstances abruptly dropped the centuries-old family estate in her lap. Hardly a financial windfall, it scuttled her career plans for a time,  demanding all of her attention and energy. Always smart, she quickly became tough: managing crops, livestock, chateau repairs, tenants, employees, and taxes.

A veteran of ups and downs of all kinds and sizes, today she remains optimistic and driven, energetic and charming, and great fun to be around.

At a small gathering this past weekend, we huddled in the corner of the billiards room, catching up and philosophizing. She is not prone to the theoretical: she lives in the real, results-driven world.

“You just can’t get too comfortable,” she said at one point during our hour-long conversation. “You don’t deprive yourself–if you are successful and make money, enjoy things! But you can’t get soft.”

At the chateau, with my friend.

When I mentioned the familiar saying that nothing is more difficult to stand than repeated bouts of success, she laughed heartily, then frowned. “Most people don’t know how to handle it! They think it’s the first time someone’s ever made money. Like they invented coming from nothing and making something.

“Of course we had money, but you still had to work. What are you going to do all day? I’ve seen enough of that. It’s a slow death when you get comfortable. When you’re satisfied with everything.”

This from a woman who–one could say–has had everything. Tellingly, she has never become complacent or comfortable with her lot in life. She exercises and dresses every day (and does not own a single pair of athletic shoes, only boots and shoes). Still managing parts of her family’s land and buildings, she has a film project in the works. Her days are full. Her mind is active. She is healthy. She is happy.

I recently learned (from other friends) that she was also involved in several incidents of behind-the-scenes political intrigue in past decades: an unlikely champion of human rights, a fearless advocate for democracy back in the day. Who knew?

She is unique, but similar to many of her class: they share an allergy to comfort, as if a warm house or a new sofa was going to corrupt them and dampen their drive. It’s a great mindset to adopt. A continuous motivator.

I’ll be in Paris next week. I’ll find a cafe and have a coffee…but remembering my friend, I’ll be wary of getting too comfortable, and I won’t sit for long.

• BGT