Privilege still gives you an easier start. Hardship still gives you a harder start. Hard work on its own is often not enough to gain success and wealth, in the absence of a fortunate upbringing.
I did not do great at school, but after I left I got a job at a clothing factory. I worked for a company for 10 years. I started as a floor sweeper, sweeping up bits of cloth etc.
I got to a machinist.
Then I got into the office as a manager's assistant.
Then I got to be an office supervisor.
10 years that took.
2 years into being an office supervisor, a new boy started who was 19 at that time. He was allowed to spend 2 weeks in every department in the company, factory floor with the machinists, sales, design, etc he then got to choose which department he wanted to work in, they had never ever done such a program before for anyone, he chose to go in to the design department on the computers.
How did he get this job? Going from department to department? Picking the role he wanted? Was it through application? Beating 100 other applicants? Being the best man for the job?
No.
He was the son of the managing Directors next door neighbour. He went out with the managing director and his family to football and barbecues etc.
By his own admission, he hadn't done well at school and needed a job.
Now in fairness, he was a good designer and he worked well. He wasn't a go above and beyond sort of employee but was good enough.
After a year he was earning more than I was after 10 years, I got to 21k a year, he picked his role, did a year and got a raise to 22k a year.