Part of the disparity in wealth is having the ability to invest.  If you have enough income to invest the surplus in the market your wealth increases significantly faster than incremental increases in your salary.  So if you are in a situation in which you do not have surplus income that you can invest in the market you are at a considerable disadvantage.  I am also part of the wealthy category and I have worked for it, but I have also been lucky and I think I could pay more in tax so that the 'luck' is distributed to those who have been less fortunate.