Recent findings from the National Bureau of Economic Research in the United States suggest that physical attractiveness, often seen as an inherited trait, can have a significant impact on an individual's financial success over generations.

The research, titled "The Economic Impact of Heritable Physical Traits: Hot Parents, Rich Kid?" explored existing data to examine the relationship between parental attractiveness and their offspring's income levels. The study encompassed data from the United States, China, and a global sample of billionaires.

In this study, attractiveness was assessed subjectively by observers, rather than through objective measures like facial symmetry. The findings showed a clear trend: for every increment a parent's looks were above the average, their child's yearly earnings saw an increase of over $2,300 (€2,113).

Daniel Hamermesh, an economist and co-author of the study, highlighted that beyond traditional assets like real estate and savings, physical attractiveness might also be considered an inherited asset that can enhance financial prospects through generations. "Attractiveness tends to translate into financial and professional success," he stated.

Hamermesh, who has been exploring the relationship between attractiveness and success for over a decade at the University of Texas at Austin, pointed out that this phenomenon is twofold. Not only does being born to good-looking parents mean a higher likelihood of being attractive, which in turn aids in professional success, but it also often means inheriting more financial resources.

His research consistently indicates that attractive individuals are more likely to be hired and earn higher salaries compared to their less attractive peers, suggesting that physical appearance plays a significant role in life success.

Acknowledging the disheartening nature of these findings, Hamermesh hopes that raising awareness about this bias towards attractive individuals might help mitigate its negative effects. "Being aware of our biases could lead to less discriminatory behavior," he remarked.