Stewardship: 14 Families And The Art of Lasting Wealth Paperback – October 20, 2025

Stewardship – 14 Families and the Art of Lasting WealthHow do some families make wealth endure, while others lose it within a generation?In Stewardship – 14 Families and the Art of Lasting Wealth, Alexander von der Vellen draws on over twenty-five years of advising entrepreneurs, heirs, and trustees to explore what separates enduring legacies from squandered fortunes.Through fourteen rich case studies, the book reveals how stewardship is built, and sometimes lost, in practice. Each story shows how families shape their own destiny: by setting purpose for capital, balancing risk with resilience, and developing the discipline to protect assets while keeping relationships intact. From historic estates and private businesses to art collections and modern investment portfolios, these examples illustrate the blend of governance, culture, and adaptability that lets wealth survive uncertainty and time.As a companion to the Alexander von der Vellen's earlier work, Trust – The Skill of Trusteeship in 16 Success Stories and 1 Failure, this volume shifts the focus from professional trustees to the families themselves. It explains not only the structures that support them, but also the habits and values that turn inheritance into opportunity rather than conflict.Written with clarity and authority based on experience, Stewardship offers readers:Practical lessons on succession, governance, and educationInsight into how values anchor strategy across generationsA clear roadmap for families, trustees, and advisers seeking to make wealth a positive force for continuityWhether you are a beneficiary, founder, trustee, or advisor, Stewardship – 14 Families and the Art of Lasting Wealth shows that preserving prosperity is less about secret formulas than about patient, thoughtful care, the art of looking after what will outlast you. Read more